23. Visegrad Summer School: The Future of Enlargement

The project involves a 10-day educational program centered on the diverse theme of "The Future of the Enlargement." This initiative will feature a combination of lectures and workshops that delve into critical subjects such as the role of enlargement in regional stability, the impact of geopolitical shifts, integration challenges, and the impact of public opinion on accession processes. The lectures will provide a theoretical and inspirational foundation for group projects to be developed during the workshops. In the workshops, participants will be equipped with the necessary methodological tools to operationalize the knowledge gained and independently design a research project. Additionally, group integration activities will promote cultural exchange and foster collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds. A key component of the program includes study visits (a minimum of two) in Krakow or the Małopolska region. During these visits, participants will have the opportunity to explore sites of historical and cultural significance to the region. www.visegradsummerschool.org

Sports part

The Games are an international tournament aimed at people with different types of disabilities. The players will compete in 4 sports - people with visual disabilities will compete in futsal, people with hearing disabilities will play volleyball, wheelchair basketball is intended for people with physical disabilities and people with mental disabilities will compete in floorball. Each country (CZ, HU, PL, SK) will put together a team for each of the sports, 16 teams from the V4 countries will therefore participate in the tournament. For the pilot year we chose a game format with a reduced number of players. The Games are intended for registered athletes of all performance groups without age restrictions and it will be held in June 2024 in Brno, Czech Republic. The matches will take place mainly in sports halls in Brno and selected matches will then take place on Náměstí Svobody in Brno, where two days of the Games will be dedicated to a closer introduction of the mentioned sports and an accompanying program will take place. Players will compete according to international rules and matches will be attended by certified referees. Time schedule: Day 1 - arrivals; Day 2 - opening ceremony, exhibitions, matches, accompanying program; Day 3 - exhibitions, matches, introduction of sports, accompanying programme; Day 4 - exhibitions, matches, introduction of sports, accompanying program; Day 5 - matches, accompanying program, closing ceremony; camp for newcomers; Day 6 - departures. https://www.facebook.com/events/1643523899626685

Accompanying program

The project is mainly focused on the objective “Social development” and its field “Promoting an inclusive mindset in society and addressing protection and empowerment of minorities”, in our case people with different types and levels of disabilities. The project is also partially dedicated to the field “Promoting a healthy and active lifestyle” of people with disabilities. Accompanying project activities will mainly contribute to the achievement of these goals. We want to focus on bringing the life and everyday problems of people with disabilities closer to the public. The accompanying program will take place mainly on Náměstí Svobody. This place was chosen due to its importance and location in the very centre of Brno. All of the chosen team sports for people with disabilities will be presented here (futsal, volleyball, wheelchair basketball and floorball). At the same time, organisations that focus on persons with a given type of disability will be invited and be part of the program - presentation of organisations working with people with disabilities, performances of people with disabilities. The program will also include an opening and closing ceremony and visitors will be able to try out sports and compete with professionals. A special levelling surface will be built for the matches to take place. The project will be under the patronage of city officials and supported by organisations dedicated to people with disabilities. https://www.facebook.com/events/1643523899626685