INTERNATIONAL DAY

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

06.04

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We celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6.

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SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

Photo credit, from top to bottom: Josh Calabrese, Steven Lelham.

In August 2013, the UN General Assembly made the decision to proclaim 6 April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

UNESCO is the United Nations’ lead agency for Physical Education and Sport (PES). UNESCO believes that sport is a powerful vehicle for social inclusion, gender equality and youth empowerment, with benefits that are felt far beyond the stadiums. Indeed, the values acquired in and through sport – such as fair play and a team spirit – are invaluable to the whole of society.

Sport has historically played an important role in all societies, be it in the form of competitive sport, physical activity or play. Sport presents a natural partnership for the United Nations system, including UNESCO. Sport and play are human rights that must be respected and enforced worldwide, sport has been increasingly recognized and used as a low-cost and high-impact tool in humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts, not only by the UN system but also by non-governmental organizations, governments, development agencies, sports federations, armed forces and the media. Finally, sport can no longer be considered a luxury within any society but is rather an important investment in the present and future, particularly in developing countries.

A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL

“Regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, sport is enjoyed by all; its reach is unrivalled. More importantly, though, sport promotes universal values that transcend language and culture, particularly inclusion. History abounds with examples of inspiring stories of how expanding sporting opportunity leads to greater inclusion in society overcoming prejudice against women, ethnic minorities and people living with a disability.”

— Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

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How to get involved

International days are celebrations and calls to action. They are for everyone to participate in. This is how you can take part in an International Day in three simple steps.

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Why are International Days important? They provide unique opportunities to transmit UNESCO values to the world.

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

International days also provide a unique opportunity to engage citizens on global issues, to mobilise political will and resources to address these problems, but also to celebrate and reinforce the achievements of humanity as well as remember some of our darkest times as they guide us towards building a better world.

The United Nations International Days are for everyone, all around the globe. Because they are open, you can have an important role to play in them. NGOs, universities, schools, press and more will be putting together campaigns, events, and calls to action worldwide to provide further opportunities to engage, learn, and transmit the values and knowledge associated with each International Day. They serve as an important vehicle to connect the local to the international.

At their root, UN International Days contribute to the achievement of the purposes of the UN Charter and promote awareness of and action on important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or human rights issues. International days are at the heart of the United Nations Charter. They work to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.

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