In a world that is constantly evolving and subject to changes that threaten their existence for some, time is a scarce commodity. However, the Crans Montana Forum offers time for exchange and discussion. The new edition of the forum, in which the International Judo Federation took an active part, has just taken place in Geneva on the shores of Lake Geneva.
The Crans Montana Forum – Geneva 2022
The Crans Montana Forum is an international non-governmental organization founded and led by Ambassador Jean-Carteron, founded in 1986 with the mission of building a better world, “Towards a more humane world”, words dear to our sport that 1882 was created by Jigoro Kano Shihan as an educational tool to create a better society.
The Forum therefore works closely with governments, professional bodies, international and regional organizations such as the United Nations, UNESCO, UNIDO, FAO, the European Union, the European Commission, the Council of Europe and NGOs. For many years, the IJF and the Crans Montana Forum have worked closely together and have found common ground serving the ultimate goal of providing a better life for people around the world.
With the primary objective of strengthening international cooperation by promoting best practice and enabling an ongoing dialogue between those in the public and private sectors who are the real decision-makers on whom the future of our world depends, this year’s Forum offered the Opportunity to exercise to illustrate how it can have a positive impact on society. Thanks to the presence of the IJF President, Mr. Marius Vizer, accompanied by the Judo for Peace Director, Nicolas Messner, the idea that sport and especially Judo can play an important role in the difficult conditions that the world is facing was highlighted .
Mr. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Sports Minister of Cameroon
On the second day of the forum, Nicolas Messner took the floor to animate and moderate a panel discussion on the topic “Rediscovering basic social values: The implementation of sporting values gives young people hope”. When the topic is large and cannot be tackled in a few minutes, the discussion was still very positive and productive.
During the panel discussion, Mr. Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Minister of Sports of Cameroon, explained the important role that sport plays in his country to unite the population, as well as art. Mr. Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, underlined the importance of sport for a fairer society. His testimony was confirmed by Rev. Andrea Ciucci, Secretary General of the Vatican’s Renaissance Foundation, Mr. Pio Wennubst, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Food and Agriculture Organization, and Mr. Sandro Garcia, Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Deportivo.
“Exercise is not just about physical exercise. It is a real tool to help build a better society. Through the “Judo for Children” and “Judo in School” programs, as well as through the “Judo for Peace” activities, particularly focused on helping refugees around the world, our sport, which is based on non-discrimination, has proven that it works,” said Nicolas Messner.
Nicolas Messner, IJF Judo for Peace Director
Most states are facing a slow and inexorable structural dislocation of their social bodies, compounded by the pandemic and the instability of our security due to wars and conflicts. It is caused by the chronic weakening and progressive loss of social cohesion, leading to despair, social unrest, further insecurity and crime among younger generations.
The state of social cohesion is the reality of the relationships that exist between elements of the same social structure. These are the connections that connect the members of a group to each other and to the group as a whole. As Ambassador Jean-Paul Carteron recalled, social relationships can exist and flourish only within the framework of spontaneous assent and operational respect for the essential values, which are:
• Respect for others • Respect for oneself and one’s dignity • Self-control • Implementation of voluntary behavioral discipline • Awareness and respect for the importance of the social role of others • Courage and determination in action • Sincerity • Humility • Reason of honor • Respect for word and engagement
From left to right: Francesco Ricci Bitti, Nicolas Messner, Sandro Garcia, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Pio Wennubst, Rev. Andrea Ciucci, Kamal Benali and Jean-Paul Carteron
Key points were presented in the conclusions of the discussions. The values listed above are basically the judo ethics, our values. They are sustained by our sport, which plays an essential role in shaping minds and mentalities, while the educational role of the family seems less robust and school itself is sometimes outdated in its traditional concept.
To see sport being integrated into high-level discussions on the state of the world, such as during the Crans Montana Forum, is a sign, a positive sign. Sport and athletes are the bearers of essential social values. “Governments must therefore adopt and enforce these values in order to slow down or even stop the permanent destructuring of the body politic,” explained the forum leaders.
Genuine and healthy sporting practice by young people, under the guidance of knowledgeable, respected and competent professionals, is the essential component of good intellectual development and proper social conduct. Every educational system must therefore be redesigned to give the practice of sport a truly important place within every school program. The International Judo Federation is happy to offer authority, quality control and the participation of selected athletes or former athletes so that their roles can achieve their full value.
This is just the beginning of a long-term vision that aims to give sport its full development within an understood potential, in a world that needs values, friendship, unity and peace more than ever.
More about the Crans Montana Forum – CLICK HERE