The vision of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is "to stage inspirational Games that capture the imagination of young people around the world and leave a lasting legacy." As a world authority in education the British Council is responding to this vision through a global initiative which will build on our experience, reputation and connections through our work in sport and youth

The Youth action through sport and culture project will be launched in the South East Europe region and aims to empower young people to manage and operate transnational projects which build on the Olympic and Paralympic values. Our interpretation of these values in the UK includes personal excellence, cultural exchange, international understanding, sport as education, mass participation and fair play.

The 4-day contact seminar in Bolton is the first stage of the project and brings together youth organisations from participating countries in South East Europe and from the UK. The seminar provides the opportunity to:

• share creative ideas in response to the Olympic and Paralympic values
• develop project ideas
• begin to build partnerships between the UK and participating countries
• confirm an action plan

Following the seminar these ideas and partnerships will be developed over a period of 10 months during which time they will be supported to define an action plan and implement it.

Participating countries
Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina , Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Turkey. The project will directly involve up to 200 young people

Project plan
September 2006 - contact seminar in UK
April 2007 - training and project development for youth and youth leaders from participating countries in Macedonia
April 2007 - youth groups travel to their partner's country
July 2007 - youth groups from participating countries visit partners in the UK
July 2007 - Meeting of youth groups in London to share their successes and challenges