Laudatio for Domenico Lenarduzzi, Director General DG XXII Education and Culture

Lecture given by Prof. H. Van Coppenolle on December14, 2001, in honour of D. Lenarduzzi, promoted as Dr. Honoris Causa of the K.U. Leuven

At the occasion of the delibaration of the first phaseof the EMDAPA students 2001-2002

THANK YOU DOMENICO LENARDUZZI

Dr. Honoris Causa KU Leuven 2002

Short History of EMDAPA (Faculty Club Leuven 1998)

First EMDAPA promotion 1991 (promotion hall KU Leuven) The Thinker (Le penseur)

His thoughts resulted in an unique European project

Bringing all the students together at one place (Leuven) for a basic training programme

after 4 month’s going to a second university for the masters thesis (research phase)

in this way European competencies were brought together in one programme combining teaching expertise and research in APA

1991-92 Start of the European Master’s Degree in Adapted Physical Activity co-ordinated in Leuven

From 9 until 29 European universities involved

37 professors: experts in APA (16 from other European universities-21 from Leuven)

since 1991: 250 students obtained the Master’s Degree

also students from Canada, Korea, Japan, South Africa and Israel

After eleven years international experience in this European Master Degree

We are very well prepared for the upcoming international structures (bachelor-master-post-initial or advanced master) who were conceptualised by yourself

With all their expertise the students went back to their countries

Developing further Adapted Physical Activity and sports in teaching, research and leadership

and improving the quality of life of handicapped persons for example wheelchairathletes, depressive patients, and persons with an intellectual disability

Abilities

Excellence in anEthical Environment

Fitnesstraining as Psychomotor Therapy

Pascal Duquennes: “Le huitiéme jour”

And Mr. L.enarduzzi you improved at the same time the European Integration

Bringing together for 4 month’s in Leuven a real European family

and all students tell me that this is a very rewarding experience

some pictures of the actual group of students express it very well

EMDAPA 2001

They were very thankful by expressing it in their way

Making it possible for you to make at the same time a comparative study between

the way of kissing in many European and other countries

kisses from Lithuania

From Israel

From French students

From Germany and South Africa

You supported as well our faculty by giving us the co-ordination of the European Thematic Network in APA (THENAPA)

Making it possible to implement the training of experts in all European countries at the same time

and improving the integration in the Physical education lessons and sportsclubs between disabled and not disabled students ands athletes

this network is really an excellent tool for European co-operation

THEMATIC NETWORK APA

Prof. D. Van Gerven: Thematic network Physical Education

This network allows us to produce and

disseminate teaching materials

As this CD-ROM “ Examples of good practice in APA”

in which basic information and 3 films are provided for all European countries

I will give all the EMDAPA students and interested persons a free copy of it

“I am not Disabled” Medal of Peace Award of The United Nations

You did receive already a lot of rewards and honours for your outstanding “European Merits” from

The European Commission (Mr. Prodi)

Mrs Reding the European Commissioner for Education and Culture

Mr. Busquin the European Commissioner for Research

Mr. Busquin

But I know that the Dr. Honoris Causa of the KU Leuven,

your homeuniversity, will please you most of all

And so you will become after Dr. Steadward , our Dr. Honoris Causa of last year,

again a very strong linked Dr. Honoris Causa Recipient to our Leuven and European Adapted Physical Activity movement

Attending the Dr. Honoris Causa Award of Dr. R. Steadward (february 2001)

CONGRATULATIONS ANDTHANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT