Minister of Culture to open European Mile kick-off in Norway

On Wednesday 23 June, the opening kick-off event for the European Mile in Norway will take place in Viken County as part of the joint “Pandefri” (Free from the Pandemic) campaign, coordinated with a range of sport, recreational, social and cultural organisations from across the country. The Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Minister of Culture and Equality, Abid Raja, will open the event, signalling the importance of reopening and restarting physical activity and recreation.

The coordination of the European Mile in Norway is a joint project between the Confederation of Sports in Viken and music, theatre, children and youth, and outdoor recreation organisations, and it is about taking back all the activities that the pandemic put on pause for several months. In Norway, volunteers are gathering around the reopening Pandefri campaign to celebrate that we can once again give each other a hug or a tackle. 

“We often talk about the value of volunteering in that being a volunteer is the goal, but maybe we do not say enough about the value of what sports volunteering creates – the joy of being physically active. In any case, the pandemic has shown that volunteering and public health are two very important contributions that organised sport make to society, and how vulnerable the system is when something unexpected happens,” says Roar Bogerud, chairman of the board of the Confederation of Sports in Viken County.

European initiative to move Norwegians
In connection with the European Mile, the Confederation of Sports in Viken is now focusing on restarting physical activity. Pandefri is about celebrating that, when the pandemic is over, we have an opportunity to recruit more people back into sports. Norway must simply get started and become physically active again. 

ISCA President Morgens Kirkeby talks about the importance of us all getting back into physical activity and movement:

“The pandemic has restricted us socially and physically. It has shown that physical activity is very important for physical as well as mental health. That is why we must make it easy and fun to get started again.”
 
Be active for yourself - or for someone who cannot!
European Mile is about finding your mile, or your way of being physically active. At the same time, in connection with the project, one can "donate the activity" to charity. This makes the activity twice as important because some people still cannot resume their activities. Children with cancer, for example, must continue to be quarantined.

For the fourth year in a row The Norwegian Childhood Cancer Society is promoting its fundraising campaign, "Run for me". The race has been added to September to mark International Childhood Cancer Month.

“In Viken, we encourage everyone not only to be active for yourself, but also for someone who does not have the opportunity. We are therefore sending our donation to The Norwegian Childhood Cancer Society and their campaign ‘Run for me’,” says Roar Bogerud.

Childhood cancer is the most common cause of death among children between the ages of 1-14 in Norway, and those who recover often have late effects after treatment. The research contributes to new knowledge and better treatment that can save lives and give those affected the future they deserve.

“We at The Norwegian Childhood Cancer Society greatly appreciate the gift from you at Viken Idrettskrets, and your contribution gives hope and inspiration for brighter times for all of us. Not least, our volunteers can once again create golden moments for children and young people with cancer and their families,” says the general manager of the Childhood Cancer Association Trine Nicolaysen.

This summer can now be used to resume physical activity with family, although there may still be restrictions on organised activity. In connection with the new school year, children and families can set a goal of being more outdoors and being active whilst running for those who cannot.

Visit the Pandefri event website

Find out more about the "Run for Me" initiative

Photo credit: Ilja C. Hendel/Norwegian Ministry of Culture