Mountain activities, smart specializations and public priorities

Abstract

The contemporary research strategy in the European space, is focused on the multidisciplinary approach of some smart specializations as well as the relevance of national public priorities (specific to each European state), representing the engine of a future economic growth on our continent. Within this context, the specialists of the Sport Science and Physical Education fields of activity must orient their own research, towards the areas of smart specialization or towards the so-called declared public priorities, issues that can be addressed only through interdisciplinary strategies. The present research brings to the attention the mountain landscape as the frame viewed through the sphere of physical activities. 96 students and teachers, from different university specialties (n=9), participants in the project "Adopt a mountain shelter", 2018 and 2019, held in the mountain area of Făgăraș - Fereastra Zmeilor - Romania, were first questioned and then they took part to a Brainstorming debate on the personal concerns regarding the mountain area and the prospect of developing interdisciplinary projects subordinated to the smart specializations and to the public priorities assumed by Romania through public policies. In the first research phase, the subjects classified 15 items of contemporary mountain activities, according to the annual frequency criteria of their use, but also according to their importance. In the second research phase the subjects were encouraged to develop common ideas and projects, in relation to the subordination of the 15 items to areas of smart specialization and / or public priorities. Following the debates it was established which smart specializations / public priorities should be targeted in the development of ideas related to the mountain area, presented in order of their relevance: health, environment // climate changes and cultural heritage / identity.