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Dear friends,
The recent election of Thomas Bach as President of the International Olympic Committee marks a new chapter in the history of sports and in the celebration of Olympic values. Let us hope that global sport governance will continue working every day to raise awareness of the cause and rally support among both policymakers on the international scene and the general public.
The unfailing commitment shown by outgoing IOC President Jacques Rogge has been central to the latest breakthrough for the peace through sport movement: the proclamation of 6 April as the “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace”.
This represents an outstanding recognition for the true culture that is peace through sport. |
Another important event recently took place: the International Day of Peace, celebrated every year on 21 September. Peace is a fundamental goal in our society, and this day is a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on all the action being taken around the world to promote peace.
Today, the integration of sport in national strategies and policies is widely recognized as an effective, innovative and inexpensive way of taking practical steps towards sustainable peace.
One of the aims of our organization is to bring together representatives of sport governance and the peace movement so that by discussing, exchanging and taking action to develop the peace through sport movement, they can devise concrete solutions.
This is what we hope to achieve during the next Peace and Sport International Forum, which will focus on the theme “Sport: An investment for Society”. We look forward to welcoming you to this event, which will take place from 6-8 November 2013 in the Principality of Monaco.
Many thanks to all of you, and happy reading!
Sportingly yours,
Joël Bouzou,
President and Founder of Peace and Sport
President of the World Olympians Association (WOA)
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Friendship Games
After four editions, with the latest taking place from 21-22 September 2013, the Great Lakes Friendship Games have become a key event for peace and diplomacy through sport. This project, spearheaded by the organization Peace and Sport, is gaining increasing recognition and support from political and sporting authorities in the region and attracting more and more visitors from the local community each year.
This year’s gathering brought together young people from youth centres in the areas bordering Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, for sporting, cultural and awareness-raising activities aimed at promoting peace. This year again, the Games provided the young people with a unique opportunity to forge friendships, embrace a sense of community, and play their part in strengthening peace efforts in the Great Lakes region.
Vénuste Niyongabo, patron of the Friendship Games:
“The Friendship Games between Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are aimed at bringing the people from these countries together and encouraging dialogue between them. This event, which promotes local cultural differences, fosters an approach that, through sport, can strengthen social cohesion between the young people and bring out the champions in them! We need to incentivize local authorities to organize more such events if this initiative is going to stand the test of time.”
Romain Kiyuma, youth centre director:
“These Games are a unique event that gives the young participants an opportunity to experience and live in the same shared environment over two days. They also enable our mentors to spread a message of peace to the local communities.
Inter-community conflicts have caused lasting damage in this region, and I have found that these peace-building sports events have the power to get young people together and get them talking. The Friendship Games have therefore had a positive impact on daily life.”
Key figures from the 2013 edition:
- 200 participants including 150 between the ages of 9 and 15
- representatives from National Olympic Committees and the Ministries of Youth and Sport of Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as local political authorities
- Close to 1,500 spectators
- 10 different sport disciplines
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Gearing up to the International Forum
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The seventh edition of the Peace and Sport International Forum, to be held from 6-8 November 2013 in the Principality of Monaco, will bring together key players and opinion leaders from the worlds of peace and sport to discuss important issues surrounding the use of sport as an investment for society. The aim of the Forum is to encourage interaction and analysis of sporting practices in order to provide clear answers for the decision-makers of today and tomorrow.
With the many high-profile figures, experts and leaders in attendance who will share their vision and their conviction, and through the different debates, workshops and encounters between all of these participants, this seventh edition promises to identify key drivers of commitment and economic models that will contribute to the sustainability of peace-building action in our society.
To find out more, take a look at the provisional event program by clicking here.
Register for the International Forum and take part in the many debates, official ceremonies and a host of other activities, by clicking here.
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Announcement of the “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace”
Since 1981, the “International Day of Peace” has been celebrated each year on 21 September. Peace and Sport has always invited its partners to help commemorate the occasion by organizing events such as open days and sports activities or by simply helping to spread the peace through sport message.
In recent years, many local actors have sought out ways to promote the use of sport as an educational tool for peace. In 2012, a football match was held in the Ivory Coast between the pro-Gbagbo and pro-Ouattara communities, which ended with an historic handshake. In Colombia, seven towns came together to take part in an international sporting event organized by the NGO Colombianitos. Elsewhere, open days were held presenting peace through sport programs, and talks were given at friendly gatherings on themes such as sportsmanship.
What is more, this year marks a huge development in the peace through sport movement. The United Nations General Assembly has recently made the historic decision to proclaim 6 April as the “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace”, to be celebrated annually from 2014. Peace and Sport will be at the forefront of this fantastic initiative, which both highlights and strengthens the effectiveness of sport in tackling issues in society.
Over the coming months, we will be working with all of our field partners to ensure that this day becomes a key event for peace-building efforts so that together, we can keep working towards our ultimate goal of sustainable peace through sport. |
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ElkY, an all-round champion
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World poker champion and committed Champion for Peace, Bertrand Grospellier, a.k.a. ElkY, has once again shown his dedication to the peace through sport movement. At the end of July 2013 he travelled with Peace and Sport to Timor to visit the youth centre that he had personally chosen to support and for which he had organized, in collaboration with PokerStars.fr, a one-off tournament to support Peace and Sport, which raised more than 5,000 euros.
It was a highly emotional journey for the Champion for Peace, who spent most of his time with the Timorese youngsters, learning about their environment and sharing his experience.
He said: “This journey was a very enriching experience. It was important for me to see Peace and Sport’s efforts and actions on the ground. The situation in Timor is very complex and these youth centres provide a lifeline for young people, helping them to develop personally and professionally. Taking part in sporting activities teaches them about the values of life. My stay in Timor really made me want to increase my involvement with the movement.” |
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Peace and Sport, official partner of the “Day of Legends”
 This year Peace and Sport was honoured to be chosen as an official partner for the Day of Legends, an event organized by FIFPro, the International Federation of Professional Footballers. This annual gathering brings together footballing legends to compete in a discipline that is very different to their own: golf!
The latest edition was held in the Principality of Monaco from 2-3 September 2013. Some of the biggest footballing personalities joined the event and supported the peace through sport movement alongside FIFPro. This celebration of sporting values brought together more than 100 personalities and 20 nations.
Christian Karembeu, Day of Legends Ambassador and Peace and Sport Champion for Peace, initiated this collaboration. His involvement and conviction have sent a strong message to the footballing community and Teddy Sheringham, Peter Schmeichel and more than 40 other international footballers have since shown their support to Peace and Sport.
At the end of the event, a cheque for 20,000 euros was presented by Mr Piat, Director of the Division Europe of FIFPro, to Peace and Sport to support the many football programs being led by the organization in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Israel/Palestine, Colombia and Haiti. |
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Joint interview with Paula Radcliffe and Wilson Kipketer
During the recent 2013 World Athletics Championships in Moscow, we caught up with the two running legends and Champions for Peace and asked them to explain what it means for them to contribute to peace through sport.
What does it mean to you both to run for a cause?
Paula: I think it’s vital to always run with a goal and a purpose in mind. Giving something back to an organization that brings about real change is a huge driving factor for me.
Wilson: Running for a good cause means a great deal to me; for example very year in Denmark I run for an organization that fights Parkinson’s disease. I get a lot out of helping others and if I can achieve that goal through sport, then so much the better.
How can you explain your engagement with Peace and Sport?
Paula: I think sport has a number of very powerful values. It can unite people, help set aside differences and promote peace, community spirit and understanding. I believe this is what Peace and Sport sets out to achieve.
Wilson: I couldn’t agree more. For me it was clear, from having seen Peace and Sport’s actions around the world, that there was a real opportunity for me to get on board and give something back to society through sport. Sport can have a true positive impact on communities and it is good investment for countries, young people and societies in general.
Do you think your actions with Peace and Sport can have a lasting impact?
Wilson: I believe our actions for peace can transform people’s lives. Alongside Peace and Sport, I see sport as a powerful tool for individuals and for the community. Its core values can encourage people to respect others and give them a taste for competition and shared activities. Sport is educational for life.
Paula: Absolutely. I think that through Peace and Sport, we can bring changes that have long-term benefits and which, I am sure, make a big difference to a wide range of people.
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Quotes from Champion for Peace
 “Disadvantaged people can see sport as an art; a fundamental freedom that lets them spread their wings and escape from the harsh reality of their daily lives. The main goal to achieve alongside the global organization Peace and Sport will therefore be to convince these kids that sport is a true vehicle for peace in society, and as Champions for Peace, we will dedicate time and effort to this cause!”
Willy Kouyaté
“It’s such an honour to join the Champions for Peace family. Sport has given me a desire to help spark change, and through platforms such as Peace and Sport, we champions can collectively make sport the universal language to help future generations.”
Kashif Siddiqi
“Because sport fosters, and indeed relies on, such values as respect for others, tolerance and fellowship, it necessarily leads to peace and helps us overcome the conflicts and barriers we come across. I am proud to represent the triumph of peace through sport!”
Marc Raquil
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A world first for kitesurfing champion Bruno Sroka
Bruno Sroka has become the world’s first kitesurfer to make the crossing from France to Ireland. Starting at Aber Wrac'h in Finistère, Brittany on 19 July, the three-time world kitesurfing champion successfully reached Crosshaven in Cork harbour after 16 hours and 40 minutes of straight sailing. He travelled 240 nautical miles (444 km) before gliding his way over the finishing line. Well done Bruno!
His next goals are to cross the Mediterranean Sea in 2014 and the Atlantic Ocean in 2015 – watch this space!
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version française
