Surely, after 23 years of our work with the CIPC International Network of Pierre Coubertin Schools, 2020 was one of the most challenging years for all schools. Owing to COVID-19 pandemic, several projects, visits and meetings had to be cancelled or postponed.

In order to “keep the Olympic fire burning” and to enhance the bonds of good collaboration, friendship and mutual understanding within the Network, the first online meeting took place on 21st December 2020. 24 teachers from 16 countries representing 15 partner schools and institutions took part in a two-hours video conference.

The CIPC President, Stephan Wassong, opened the meeting by giving a report on projects and initiatives carried out by the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee in 2020.

The meeting was followed by presentations and reports by each representative of the partner schools/institutions explaining the teaching conditions under COVID-19. Despite hard restrictions in 2020, manifold initiatives and wonderful smaller projects were carried out with success with additional exchange of experiences among schools.
For a detailed overview, please see the respective annual reports by all schools/institutions.

One of the hardest decisions of the CIPC was to communicate that the 13th International Coubertin Youth Forum, planned for autumn 2021, had to be postponed for one year. The CIPC and the Cypriot host school agreed to share the full responsibility and that the safety and health of all the participants, accompanying teachers, volunteers and staff had to be given the highest priority.

At the closing of the meeting all participants expressed their appreciation for having this opportunity of exchange and suggested that more such meetings should take place in the Olympic Year 2021 along with teachers-in-service trainings.

We sincerely thank the CIPC Secretary General, Elvira Ramini, for taking the minutes of this meeting which was enriched by a great number of motivating ideas and initiatives presented by the schools. We also thank Viktoriia and Dmitry from our youngest Coubertin School in Dnipro City (Ukraine) for the technical support.

Ines Nikolaus
CIPC Delegate for the Network of Coubertin Schools

Photo: Viktoriia Mykhailova (UKR)