International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

ICSSPE to release a Special News Edition on the United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 24 February 2014.

Following up on the decision of the UN General Assembly to declare April 6th the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, ICSSPE decided to initiate the publication of a special news edition on the topic. ICSSPE Executive Director Detlef Dumon appreciated the initiative and considered the declaration “an expression of a continuous effort to institutionalise the significance of the power of sport and of how it ties in with ICSSPE’s strategic priorities and advocacy role”.

The collection provides articles and statements on the importance of this day for all stakeholders, insights and perspectives on the new event, and how organisations are planning to celebrate, reflect and engage on this day. It contains contributions by key players from the world of sport and physical activity.

The editors for this collection are Eli Wolff from Brown University, Mary Hums from the University of Louisville (both USA) as well as Katrin Koenen and Ben Weinberg from ICSSPE.

Below you find selected excerpts from some of the organisations’ contributions:

"The International Olympic Committee (IOC) views the creation of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace as a significant step forward in the acceptance of sport as a tool for positive societal and individual change."

IOC

"The SDP movement has continued to grow over the years and has welcomed a number of new organizations and supporters. As a steadfast advocate for an International Day for Sport for Development and Peace, Right To Play welcomes this permanent platform for celebrating and driving the movement forward, and is excited to join its SDP partners and supporters around the world to celebrate this historic occasion." 

Right to Play

"Sport is an everyday celebration at many levels for many individuals participating in sport practices. Yet access to sport could be more universal than it is now.  Setting a commemorative date and annual celebration is the opportunity to keep those realities in mind: that sport is a human right that should benefit all, and moreover, that sport is a vehicle for social and cultural interaction, for intercommunity cohesion and reconciliation. Every 6th of April should therefore be the privileged place for symbolic stances and concrete actions." 

SportAccord

“The General Conference of UNESCO, at its 37th session in November 2013, reaffirmed the fundamental principles enshrined in UNESCO’s International Charter of Physical Education and Sport and in the Olympic Charter, recognized the unique potential of sport to foster social inclusuion, and invited the Director-General to cooperate with all relevant stakeholders, to observe and raise awareness of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.”

UNESCO

"This declaration acknowledges the potential for sport to contribute to the advancement of human rights and development, eradication of barriers, and promotion of solidarity around the world. It also highlights the importance of collaboration in the field of SDP.  Partnerships, small and big, at all levels, brought SDP to the global agenda and will continue to strengthen future work within the field. This new commemoration on the international calendar will further promote the value of sport as a catalyst for development and peace." 

UNOSDP

Further information on the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace can be obtained from http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/sport