Address by
Mr. David Winiger

Special Assistant to the Special Adviser
to the United Nations Secretary-General
on Sport for Development and Peace

United Nations Under-Secretary-General

Former President of Switzerland

“Sport and Peace:
the Role of the United Nations”
IOC Seminar on Sport and Peace in the Middle East
14 June 2007
Aqaba, Jordan

It is a great pleasure and honour for me to address you here today at the IOC Seminar on Sport and Peace in the Middle East. It is a privilege to share with you some thoughts on how and why the United Nations is increasingly using sport as a vehicle to achieve peace in various regions throughout the world.

In the quest for solutions to prevailing problems, sport has been identified as an innovative instrument. Sport, as an international language, can build bridges between people, help overcome cultural differences and spread an atmosphere of tolerance. As Albert Einstein correctly said: “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”. This new and innovative thinking comprises sport as an integral part of a holistic approach to development and peace and, as such, is increasingly gaining importance on local, national and international agendas. Although the sports world is far from perfect, sport is being used to develop a sense of community and common purpose. Sport is about humanity, and together, with sport and through sport, a better world can be created.

Since 2001, when Mr. Adolf Ogi was appointed as Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, he has been promoting the use of sport as a tool for development and peace. While we do not ourselves have projects on the ground, we draw on the power and potential of sport by helping initiate projects, facilitating partnerships and being the door-opener to the United Nations for numerous stakeholders with regard to sport for development and peace. We help ensure that more children and youth, women and girls, those living with a disability, those living in post-conflict areas and marginalized individuals can benefit from the power of sport to change their lives, to become integrated into society, to have all their human rights fully respected and to live a full and satisfying life.

The IOC Seminar on Sport and Peace in the Middle East provides an important opportunity for diverse stakeholders to come together to create strong initiatives and partnerships that will promote the values not only of the Olympic Movement but also of the United Nations. Each of the actors represented at the seminar has the power to make a difference through directed sporting programmes; the power to reach out and change the lives of thousands of people living in the Middle East. Sport for peace and reconciliation, sport as a tool to create the communication necessary to generate understanding, reduce stigma and to reunite. By focusing on bringing the positive values of sport to as many individuals as we can we can help achieve the objectives of the United Nations, including the Millennium Development Goals.


Sport and the Millennium Development Goals

In the year 2000, at the Millennium Summit in New York, the leaders of 189 countries of the world agreed to implement the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. These goals were to:

1. reduce extreme poverty and hunger;

2. achieve universal primary education;

3. empower women and promote gender equality;

4. reduce child mortality;

5. improve maternal health;

6. combat HIV/Aids and other diseases such as malaria;

7. ensure environmental sustainability;

8. develop a global partnership for development.

Much has been achieved in progress towards enhanced acceptance and utilization of sport as a tool to assist in the achievement of the development goals, particularly the MDGs. In a United Nations inter-agency effort, we explored the possibilities for the United Nations system to help governments and civil society achieve the MDGs by implementing sport-related development and peace promotion projects. Together with the former UNICEF Executive Director, Ms. Carol Bellamy, we published a United Nations inter-agency report in 2003, exploring the value of Sport for Development and Peace entitled “Towards Achieving the Millennium Development Goals”. Our report came to the conclusion that well-designed sport-based initiatives are practical and cost-effective tools to achieve objectives in development and peace. Hence, the report calls upon United Nations agencies to:

• Develop a strategic approach within the United Nations to foster Sport for Development and Peace partnerships;

• Mainstream sport into the work of the United Nations;

• Incorporate sport in United Nations coordination mechanisms to better integrate sport into United Nations strategic planning instruments; and

• Look for ways to use sport for communication and social mobilization purposes.

Following this report, the United Nations system has further supported the objectives first identified, expanding on these objectives as the international community appreciates, is sensitized, and becomes increasingly aware of the role sport can play in our society.


International Year of Sport and Physical Education 2005
In 2005, the international community commemorated the International Year of Sport and Physical Education (IYSPE 2005) with success. During IYSPE 2005, a growing network of Governments, organizations, groups and individuals around the world were made aware of sport and physical education’s vital role in contributing to education, health, development and peace. Particular achievements during IYSPE 2005 included:

1. 122 out of 192 United Nations Member States were active with 70 Member States establishing National Committees or National Focal Points.

2. Commemorative IYSPE 2005 activities were reported by:

   1. 16 United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies;

   2.  28 sports organizations;

   3. 33 governmental and non-governmental agencies;
      The majority of activities have continued following the International Year, reflecting sustainability of initiatives and increasing acceptance of the power and potential of sport as a development tool.

3. 20 international and over 18 regional conferences were organized during the year, connecting the role of sport with the issues of development, health, culture, environment, peace, gender and education.

4. The Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group (SDP IWG), a four-year policy initiative that strives to develop policy recommendations on incorporating sport as a tool for development and peace, was launched as part of IYSPE 2005.

5. Thousands of international and local projects, using sport and physical education as tools for education, health, development and peace have been initiated.

6. Actors which were not involved prior to the year are now involved.

7. Millions of people have been sensitized to our goals and objectives.

IYSPE 2005 has been a launching pad. The United Nations has proved it has the ability to help Governments and communities harness the positive aspects of sport and channel them in a coordinated way.

IYSPE 2005 illustrated the role of sport and physical education for a quality education with mandatory physical education recognized in a number of countries as a universal pillar to foster education, health and personal development. Sport and physical education have been recognized for the important role they play in improving public health; and sport as a universal language has been found to bridge social, religious, racial and gender divides, hence contributing to lasting peace.

Despite the benefits for society through sports programmes, specific difficulties and obstacles encountered have been identified. In our continuing efforts to implement Sport for Development and Peace initiatives, it is important to:

1. Recognize sport for all and physical education as national priorities. One major inconsistency we have encountered is the fact that on one hand there is consensus about the important role sport can play regarding the resolution of social and health problems such as obesity, discrimination, marginalization and gender inequalities; yet, on the other hand, sport is being accorded reduced budgetary allowances, or in the worst case, is being entirely cut out of policies and budgets. The most obvious example is the simultaneous growth in acknowledgement of the value of physical education/school sport in improving health, holistic development and social inclusion and its marginalization within the educational systems of many countries.

2. Implement sustainable sports programmes to address social problems. We know that specific issues such as the increasing problem of obesity and a general lack of movement in large parts of the populations of many countries are identified and can be partly resolved by using sport as a tool to improve health, promote holistic development, peace and national harmony. But the implementation of adequate and sustainable programmes and campaigns necessitates community ownership and the allocation of adequate resources not solely to elite sport but rather to community sports activities.

3. Use sport as a vehicle for combating discrimination, achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Sport can provide a basis to develop the participation of all sectors of society, including the disabled, women and girls, the impoverished, the aged, and other marginalized individuals and communities, in sport at all levels.

4. Coordinate sport for development and peace programmes and policies using an agreed institutional framework. The international community, including the United Nations, has identified the need for a structure within which to govern and coordinate programmes and policies related to sport. The Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, the Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group (SDP IWG), inter-governmental organizations, national sports committees and various platforms contribute to the institutional framework necessary to enable coherent policy and the implementation of successful programmes.

5. Enhance global "Sport for Development and Peace" coordination. Stronger collaboration and coordinated strategies for partnerships are needed between governments, sports organizations, the private sector and NGOs on the local, regional, national and international levels. This is a precondition for agreements to help countries gain expertise and share experiences in order to work against regional imbalances in sport programmes and policies. Sports organizations must be encouraged to promote professionalism in sport instruction and to help countries increase participation in sport.

Particular obstacles encountered in implementing sport for all policies and programmes include:

1. A lack of adequate resources, and in some cases competition among stakeholders for limited funding;

2. Insufficient monitoring and evaluation to gauge the effectiveness of programmes;

3. A lack of awareness of the positive benefits of sport to encourage greater public participation;

4. The increasing costs of participating in sport and excessive focus on sport for the talented;

5. Regional imbalances in sport programmes; and

6.  In schools, a lack of capacity among teachers and principals to introduce effective physical education curricula, and a lack sports and physical education infrastructure.

Why the United Nations is Using Sport in Peace Building and Conflict Prevention
Since the beginning of 2006, the United Nations has increasingly focused on the role of sport in peace-building activities. During a meeting in late January 2006 between the former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge and the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, it was agreed to develop sport and peace projects with the UN peacekeeping forces in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Côte d’Ivoire. The implementation of programmes has been undertaken in the DRC and Liberia (see Case Studies below), with discussions currently being undertaken with Côte d’Ivoire. In light of these experiences, some of the particular benefits of using sport in conflict regions have been identified as the following:

• Security: Energies, particularly of the youth masses, are directed into sport activities and away from hostile terrorist, extremist, or criminal activities; conflict between segments of society can be overcome through interaction in a neutral environment; sport activities can assist in training of security forces, and in building bridges between them and the local communities they serve.

• Discipline: Sport teaches discipline and the rule of law: youths who learn to obey the rules of a game and a referee’s whistle, will be more likely to obey the policeman’s order and law of the land.

• Role Models: Sport at all levels can provide mentors and heroes for youth to follow and aspire to.

• Return to normality: Vibrant sport activities are a key performance indicator of the return to normality and civil society.

• Demobilisation and rehabilitation of former child soldiers: Sports programmes offer a space to play, giving children back their childhood, while providing an outlet for channelling anger and controlling aggression. Sports teams also allow young people to build positive connections with peers and adults, creating a sense of belonging that is essential for their effective demobilization. Sport clubs can get child soldiers back to school by awarding scholarships or help them setting up small ventures and projects in their villages.

• Economic revival: Sport can generate economic activity, commercial sponsorship, merchandising, equipment manufacture and imports, advertising, media and television, and create a whole revitalized industry and jobs. The training of coaches and physical education teachers leads directly to jobs and sport events that can have significant economic impacts.

• Education: Children who participate in sport activities generally are more motivated, have increased concentration, attendance and overall academic achievement. Children learn better when they are having fun and being active. Sports events can be used as a forum for education on other topics.

• Health: Investment in sport brings direct health benefits for individuals and society as a whole, extending life expectancy and reducing the likelihood of disease. Sport events provide excellent forums for creating awareness of health issues such as HIV/AIDS and other social and health problems.

• Crime prevention: Crime is bred from youth having no respect for others or for property, no role models, no self-respect, no self-discipline, and nothing better to do.

• Reintegration: Community-based youth sports and development program can reintegrate individuals providing a positive path to healthy development. Regular physical activity and play are essential for physical, mental, psychological and social development.

• Social cohesion: Sport teaches teamwork and respect for others and respect for shared property and equipment. Community sport is a key tool in breaking down social and religious barriers.

• Gender issues: Women’s sport and mixed sport activities are an excellent way to provide female role models, and break down gender barriers. Sport and play teach skills and values which are especially important for girls, given that they have fewer opportunities than boys for social interaction outside the home. Through sport, girls are given the chance to be leaders, improve their self-confidence and self-esteem, and access new opportunities.

• Persons with disabilities: Sport is a wonderful way to give those with physical and mental disabilities an opportunity to excel, to find pleasure and achievement in physical exercise, to be rehabilitated after conflict or injury, and to be integrated into their community.

• National Identity: Sport has the power to teach teamwork, to bind communities together and elite sport in particular has the power to provide a nation with a national identity and renewed national pride, and also to project a positive image to the international community.

Sport and Peace Case Studies

Case Study 1: Democratic Republic of the Congo: “Jeux de la Paix”
In the first initiative under this agreement, the IOC and the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) co-organized the “Jeux de la Paix” held under the auspices of the Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace in August 2006. The aim of this “sport for all” event was to promote an atmosphere of peace and reconciliation following the first round of historic presidential and legislative elections in DRC on 30 July 2006 and prior to the announcement of the official election results on 20 August 2006. About 3000 inhabitants of the 24 communities of Kinshasa and 300 international peacekeepers (250 MONUC / 50 EUFOR) participated in various sport events, such as a marathon, football and basketball tournament as well as a cycling race. The events particularly targeted youth and women from disadvantaged communities and served as a rare platform for direct and spontaneous encounters between the local population and staff members of international organizations.

Case Study 2: Liberia: “Sport for Peace” Programme
In March 2007, a five-week nationwide “Sport for Peace” Programme was held throughout Liberia’s 15 counties. The Programme was initiated by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the IOC and the office of the Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace. The IOC donated $76,000 worth of sports equipment for the Programme. The Programme was officially launched on Friday 2 March by the President of Liberia Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Mr. Alan Doss, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of UN Operations in Liberia, the President of the Liberian National Olympic Committee and the Special Adviser. It is hoped that the Programme will continue throughout the country with sporting events held throughout the country and an annual sporting festival.


Next Steps
With the adoption on 3 November 2006, by the United Nations General Assembly, of the report of the Secretary-General and Plan of Action on Sport for Development and Peace (A/61/373), the international community has been provided a framework within which to move forward Sport for Development and Peace initiatives. The Plan of Action is an important next step in advancing Sport for Development and Peace within the United Nations system and by all stakeholders. It particular urges all stakeholders to:

In Resolution 61/10 adopted by the General Assembly, it was acknowledged that:

One of the main objectives of the Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace is to persuade governments and diverse stakeholders throughout the world, but especially in developing and least developed countries, to maintain the momentum created by IYSPE 2005. Challenges must be identified, barriers removed through continued international advocacy and stepping up the momentum. The value of sport as a tool to strengthen national unity and solidarity among regions and population groups, and its peace building potential needs to be continually explored and developed. Only on the neutral territory of a sports field can politics be forgotten, hence enabling rapprochement and reconciliation between former enemies.

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