Kevin-Prince Boateng speaks to United Nations

Racism-and how to eliminate it-is a central topic in sport today. "Racism is real, and it exists here and now,” says footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng, “It can be found in the streets, at work or in a stadium. " Boateng, who plays for AC Milan in Italy, spoke to the United Nations in Geneva at the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. His speech came less than three months after leading his team off the field in the abandonment of a match due to racist chanting in the crowd at Pro Patria in Lombardy. "Many sportsmen like myself and my team-mates, artists and musicians all have unique chances and responsibilities to make themselves heard," he told the UN.

Boateng’s message was echoed by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, stating that, “Sport is a universal activity that can reaffirm our fundamental human rights”. The International Day in Geneva gave participants and observers an examination of the “sharp contrast between the positive values of sports and the despicable incidents of racism that scar even some professional competitions,” noted by Ki-Moon. The UN aren’t the only major international organization intent on tackling racism, however. One week after the United Nations International Day, the UEFA Executive Committee met in Sofia to collaborate with the Professional Football Strategy Council. Together they have empowered referees to abandon matches at their discretion and encouraged players and coaches to enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards racism. There is widespread optimism that renewed vigor in the fight against racism in the wake of Boateng’s walk-off will lead to significant progress towards social responsibility in sport.

Social responsibility, integrity, and ethical values inherent in physical activity are primary values of ICSSPE. Sport for all, in particular, is an aspect that will be focused upon in the upcoming MINEPS V Conference of World Sport Ministers, which is organised by ICSSPE. For further information on the MINEPS V Conference please visit:

http://www.icsspe.org/content/mineps-v-2013

For more information on the role of the UN in resolving racism in sport please visit: http://www.un.org/en/events/racialdiscriminationday/

For more information on UEFA activity in social responsibility and resolving racism in sport please visit: http://www.uefa.com/uefa/socialresponsibility/antiracism/index.html

Ed.: B. Weinberg/ J. Schuster