Olympism4Humanity Summit

2014 Olympism4Humanity Summit

Athens & ancient Olympia, June 28 – July 2, 2014

O4H inspirations and bridges across time, disciplines, policy and practice

Under the patronage of Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou, Member of the European Commission, the International Olympic Academy, Georgetown University, the International Olympic Truce Center and the O4H Alliance, organized the 2014 O4H Summit that took place at the birthplace of the ancient Olympic spirit.

Theme: Integration of peacebuilding, development, health and citizenship collective actions: The role of academia, policymakers and practitioners

O4H Summit: A call for action and collective wisdom

History has taught us that the direct and indirect effects of the economic recession, unemployment, poverty, and civic disengagement are interconnected with xenophobia, immigration, war and violence across groups and cultures. While a number of scholars, academics, policy makers, practitioners and humanitarian agencies have been engaging in discourses and programming related to the resolution of existing social challenges, “the problems around us grow faster than the actions each one of us is taking.” Based on the foundation that “we can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them” (Albert Einstein) the Olympism4Humanity Summit is aiming to establish a world leading platform of an inter-disciplinary community where scholars, researchers, thinkers, policy-makers, and practitioners work collaboratively “to explore and enhance the contribution of Olympism to humanity.” We envision that this platform will serve as an introspective venue- for a journey across “time and space”-in an attempt to build bridges across disciplines, cultures and institutions- merging development, social cohesion, civic engagement, peacebuilding, innovation and rule of law. Our goal is to create an inspiring and enlightened setting for the advancement of a discourse about social innovation and collective global-local actions where the academic world can be connected to the challenges of our local communities. Our challenge is to advance applied interdisciplinary scholarship and civic engagement opportunities that will potentially reform the role of academic institutions into agencies that reach out and engage, support and collaborate with humanitarian, youth, peace and health policy makers and practitioners for the improvement of the human condition. Based on the Socratic notion of wisdom, this summit will serve as a journey of knowledge uninhibited by borders of language, discipline, culture, time and tradition. Questioning our current state of being (personal and institutional) will advance collective knowledge and actions towards the improvement of the human condition-locally and across globe. This summit aims to serve as a space for introspection, inspiration, as well as a foundation for creating actions geared towards building a humanitarian Legacy. We therefore invite you to join a dynamic community at the birthplace of the Olympic Spirit: Olympia. There, Olympism, peacebuilding, democracy, philosophy, arts, science, health and civic engagement were originally embraced as vital and essential elements of society, and as the necessary components of a holistic educational philosophy of a balanced mind, body and spirit. Join us in Olympia to light your Olympism4Humanity “torch” and become an “Olympian” in service of humanity.

2014 O4H Praxis Summit Contributions

3 Keynote addresses, 3 Keynote Panels and 4 Parallel Session with Paper Oral Presentations
4 Roundtable Discussions, Workshops & Poster Presentations Session
Site Visits: Ancient Olympia Museum, Ancient Olympia’s archeological site, cultural program

Themes & steps towards an O4H Legacy

History and Tradition: Journey and bridges across time, space and culture
- Historical overview of ancient and modern collective wisdom and traditions at the intersection of Olympic History and Olympism, Peacebuilding, Global Health, Performing Arts, Community Health and International Development. This will serve as an introspective and reflective session in an attempt to build upon existing collective narratives and knowledge with today’s realities and “tomorrow’s” vision
Connecting with the Present: Bridges across context and geography
- Academic inter-disciplinary approaches on community outreach scholarship and service learning and programming. Best practices, existing gaps and opportunities for the advancement of integrated international inter-institutional endeavors through evidence-based policy, learning opportunities, scholarship and programming
Bridging Disciplines and Institutions: Building an O4H legacy
- Workshops and round table discussions on scaling up inter-disciplinary academic endeavors related to the resolution of existing social challenges. Profile of the O4H academician of the new millennium. Existing gaps and opportunities in promoting integrated collaborative inter-disciplinary research, teaching and service.

2014 O4H Summit Disciplines and Industry Segments:

The O4H Summit will accept research papers for 20-minute oral presentations, poster presentations and 45-minute roundtable discussions around the following themes:

Conflict Resolution, Human Rights and International Law
Knowledge-based Economy, Social Cohesion and Social Change
Community and Global Health & Ethics
Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship
Liberal Arts and Technology
International Development
Olympism in Action and Applied Olympic Education
Business, Project & Sport Industry Management
Performing Arts, Sport and Cultural Diplomacy
Student Affairs, Global Citizenship, Civic and Student Engagement
Sport for Peace and Development Programing and Policy
Adaptive Sport and Disability
Olympic, Paralympic and Mega Event Legacies
Global Social, Behavioral and Education Research Ethics
Modern and Ancient Olympic Games History

Interested individuals should submit their abstract no later than May 27th, 2014. Abstracts will be reviewed by the O4H Alliance Scientific Committee. Click here to submit your abstract and electronic application The O4H Summit will take place at the premisses of the International Olympic Academy in ancient Olympia. The O4H Summit opening ceremony will take place in Athens on June 28, 2014. Participants will then be transported to ancient Olympia for the remainder of the summit. Transportation from ancient Olympia to Athens will be provided on July 2nd, 2014.O4H Summit Registration Fee:

535 Euro (early registration before May 27th, 2014)
650 Euro (May 27th- June 21st, 2014)

O4H Summit special rates for students:

385 Euro (early registration before May 27th, 2014)
50o Euro (May 27th- June 21st, 2014)

The O4H Summit Fees cover (a) O4H Summit program fees (b) three nights double occupancy accommodation in ancient Olympia (June 29, 30 and July 1) (c) meals in ancient Olympia (dinner on June 29, three meals in June 30 & July 1st and breakfast on July 2nd), (d) access to the IOA library, (e) fees for site visit at the Acropolis Museum, (f) fees for site visit at the Olympic Museum in ancient Olympia, (g) fees for the site visit at ancient Olympia’s archaeological site, (h) return transportation from Athens to/from Olympia. NOTE: The O4H Summit program fees do not include accommodation in Athens (June 28th) and international travel expenses to Athens, Greece. Click here to download the 2014 O4H Summit e- brochure. Be part of history- make your first steps towards your O4H legacy and light up your O4H torch by submitting your application for the 2014 O4H Summit here.

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