Recognizing the potential of sport as a valuable tool in the achievement of peace and sustainable development, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on November 13 reaffirming its use to promote reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in areas of conflict during and beyond the Olympic Games period.
The Assembly renewed its support for the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1993 to galvanize actions to promote a culture of peace and harmony based on the spirit of the Olympic Truce, a revived ancient Greek tradition known as ekecheiria.
Assembly President Miroslav Lajčák said the United Nations considers sport an important part of promoting international understanding and maintaining peace. He noted that sport is used to build confidence and trust in post conflict settings and help with reintegrating ex-combatants, including child soldiers.
“Sport is a better peacekeeping tool than a gun. It costs less money. It can build, rather than destroy. It brings people together, instead of sending them fleeing for their lives,” he said.
The President also encouraged efforts to mobilize athletes and sports teams as an effective way to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted the strong link between sport and youth empowerment. “Sport can offer young people a platform for empowerment and allow them to build capacity in strategic thinking, teamwork and leadership,” he said. “It can provide a route out of under-development and poverty.”
Representatives from Member States echoed the same idea by adding that sport serves as a positive outlet to empower women, youth and people with disabilities as well as counter problems that today’s youth face such as drug abuse and the threat of radicalisation.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes sport as an important enabler of sustainable development, particularly for its growing contribution to the promotion of tolerance, respect and social inclusion.
The President urged all Member States to take advantage of the opportunity arising next February during the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea to support and use sport as a driver of peace, development and humanity.
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Source: UNSDN