On the occasion of the Global Social Business Summit held in Paris, France, from the 4th to the 9th of November, Peace and Sport showcased its “Sport Simple Solutions”. Presenting next to Professor Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Peace Nobel Prize Laureate, Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, sustained that sports is leading a “New Wave” of inspiration that aims at using sport as a tool to forge equal societies.
Joel Bouzou declared: “I think the time has come when people understand that sport doesn’t require lush green pitches or fancy equipment. Sport is at the service of everyone who wants to use it.”
“By adapting sports rules and equipment and demonstrating how a fishing net can become a volleyball net or a bundle of rags can become a football, and tires can make a boxing ring, sport simple solutions can give children healthy lifestyles, values of good citizenship and a future professional framework which can lead them to a better life and the chance to influence the world around them for the better.”
In the framework of the Summit, Peace and Sport had a dedicated Sport Simple booth containing a number of Sport Simple handmade equipment. Additionally, on Sunday 4th around 60 youngsters from 25 nationalities received a training on Sport Simple. As part of the workshop, participants played in 2-on-2 fencing competition between teammates’ hand tied together; in a giant chess with 2 teams of 16 players on the set; and in a 2-on-2 Table Tennis game with one handmade racket per team and teammates’ ankle tied. These activities highlighted the values of sport forging cooperation and solidarity.
This year the Global Social Business Summit brought together inspirational speakers and opinion leaders from the private sector, civil society representatives, political leaders and members of the academia. During two days of meetings, forums and workshops, this event spread awareness about social business, foster discussion and collaboration between practitioners and stakeholders, as well as present and conceive best practices.
Professor Yunus will be attending the Peace and Sport Forum in the Principality of Monaco from the 6th to 8th of December to continue the discussion on the power of sport as a tool to promote social business.
