Monday, May 5, 2014

UN, IOC sign pact on sport for peace

A historic deal was signed between the United Nations (U.N.) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to channelize the power of sports to promote peace and economic development.

The agreement calls for joint sporting initiatives between the IOC, national Olympic committees, international sports federations, organizing committees and international athletes and the 193 U.N. member states, U.N. agencies, envoys and goodwill ambassadors.

Under the agreement two organizations will endeavour to promote education for youth through sport without discrimination of any kind, access to sport for all communities especially the most disadvantaged and marginalized, healthy lifestyles and peace-building and community dialogue.

Sports teach values such as teamwork, fairness and respect for opponents and the rules of the game which are useful to lead successful personal and professional lives. Hence, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of sport in reducing stigma and increasing the social and economic integration of marginalized people and in bridging cultural, religious, ethnic and social divides.

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