PURPOSE: Observed annually on 6 April; The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace presents an opportunity to recognize the positive role sport and physical activity play in communities and in people’s lives across the globe. Sport has the power to change the world; it is a fundamental right and a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote sustainable development and peace, as well as solidarity and respect for all. Successful Sport for Development and Peace programs work to realize the rights of all members of society to participate in sport and leisure activities. Effective programs intentionally give priority to development objectives and are carefully designed to be inclusive. These programs embody the best values of sport while upholding the quality and integrity of the sport experience. Strong Sport for Development and Peace programs combine sport and play with other non-sport components to enhance their effectiveness. They are delivered in an integrated manner with other local, regional and national development and peace initiatives so that they are mutually reinforcing. Programs seek to empower participants and communities by engaging them in the design and delivery of activities, building local capacity, adhering to generally accepted principles of transparency and accountability, and pursuing sustainability through collaboration, partnerships and coordinated action. Sport alone, however, cannot ensure peace or solve complex social problems. Instead, sport should be positioned as a highly effective tool in a broader toolkit of development practices, and should be applied in a holistic and integrated manner with other interventions and programs to achieve optimal results.
FORUM: "Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion." International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2025. In the lead up to the Second World Summit for Social Development in 2025, The celebration will focus on the theme of ‘Social Inclusion’. This year’s theme aims to challenge stereotypes, promote equal opportunities, and enable inclusive sport for all. It will highlight the role of sport as a unifying force that fosters inclusion and more equitable societies, while being a powerful platform for dialogue to tackle prejudices and inspire positive change across the world. Join the discussion on the role that sports and major sporting events play in communities, and the discussion on the importance of sports in our everyday lives and the impact it has on communities. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #6April, #Sport4SDGs, #SportForAll, #IDSDP2025, #sport4SocialInclusion, #SportDay, #EveryoneIncluded.
EVENTS: On and April 6th, at UN Headquarters in New York, in collaboration between the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations, the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Department of Global Communications and UN Women an event will be hosted in commemoration of International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2025, The event will be an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on the intersecting issue of sport and social inclusion. Through inspiring conversations, IDSDP strives to raise awareness, celebrate success stories, strengthen partnerships, and advocate for solutions to critical challenges. The IDSDP 2025 will serve as a platform to explore solutions on how sport can serve as a tool towards greater social inclusion and progress. The United Nations General assembly invites States, the United Nations system and, in particular, the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace, relevant international organizations, and international, regional and national sport organisations, civil society including, non-governmental organizations and the private sector, and all other relevant stakeholders to cooperate, observe and raise awareness about the benefits of sport in an appropriate manner.
On April 4th, from 11am to 1pm (EST); A panel discussion will be held to celebrate the 12th edition of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The special event featuring elite athletes and sporting organization experts.
The FIFA World Cup 26™ in Los Angeles will deliver one of the most diverse cities in America to support the promotion of human rights, environmental sustainability and the game of football. Australia, IR Iran, Iraq, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan have reached the third round of AFC qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with two games to spare. Bahrain, Indonesia, Korea Republic, Palestine and Saudi Arabia are also on the cusp of going through after an exciting matchday. Elsewhere, Jordan and Syria won by seven goals, Afghanistan stunned India to hike their hopes, and China PR and Oman secured impressive victories. Find out the full match schedule for World Cup 2026 in Canada, Mexico and USA with fixtures and results from each of the 104 games in the 48-team tournament. Read the latest FIFA news and register your interest in ticket to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026!
PODCASTS: The Right To Play’s vision is to create a healthier and safer world through the power of sport and play. To mark the IDSDP; Listen the conversations with the Olympic and Paralympic athletes, an elite yachtsman, and the representatives of major global sporting groups - including both the Chief Strategy Officer of World Rugby and the Sustainability Director for the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy of the FIFA World Cup. The Permanent Representatives of the Principality of Monaco and the State of Qatar to the United Nations will round off the programme which focus on the role of governments in building peaceful and inclusive societies. Listen to the audio -podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Sport for Development and Peace refers to the intentional use of sport, physical activity and play to attain specific development and peace objectives, including, most notably Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participate to the 2025 Campaign "Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion." and learn more about Sport for protection: An approach for supporting the development and protection of displaced young people, through sport. To celebrate the day, Get the communications materials!
WHY WE OBSERVE THE DAY?
Sport is in a unique position to display leadership, to take responsibility for its carbon footprint, engage in a climate neutral journey, incentivize action beyond the sporting sector, and play a major role in amplifying awareness among its billions of spectators, facilitators and participants at all levels.
Promoting health and preventing disease
Prevents and manages chronic disease
Prevents and manages infectious disease
Enhances mental health
Reduces direct and indirect health care costs
Enhancing the inclusion and well-being of person with disabilities
Reduces stigma
Enhances socialization
Enables independence and participation Contributes to empowerment
Fosters greater inclusion
Enhancing social inclusion, preventing conflict, and building peace
Promotes social inclusion
Provides respite in periods of conflict
Builds trust and establishes bridges between groups in conflict
Builds peace in a post-conflict situation
Promotes a culture of peace
ACTIONS
With the need for urgent action growing more dire every day, the relationship between sport and climate must be better understood and ways of developing policies and taking concrete action to help reverse the impact of climate change through sport must be communicated to as wide an audience as possible.
Strengthening child & youth development and education
Enhances physical health and development
Fosters psychosocial health and development Builds life skills and positive values
Helps children and youth recover from trauma Strengthens education
Promoting gender equity and empowering girls & women Enhances girls’ and women’s health and well-being
Fosters self esteem and empowerment
Facilitates social inclusion and integration Challenges gender norms
Provides opportunities for leadership and achievement
PARTNERS
The International Day of Sport for Peace and Development is organized by the United Nations Office for Peace and Development (UNOSPD); The UNESCO; The International Olympic Committee; The International Paralympic Committee. With the contribution of Peace and Sport Initiative; The Sportanddev Initiative. Hosted by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Global Communications, the U.N. Deputy Secretary-General, the UNFCCC Sport for Climate Action and Nike’s Global Engagement for Sustainability. With the support of the Permanent Mission of the Principality of Monaco to the United Nations and the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations.
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Sport has the ability to break down cultural barriers, improve physical and mental wellbeing and create opportunities for positive social interaction. However, simply delivering sports activities does not automatically mean the achievement of positive outcomes. The Initiatives will be well designed and delivered – engaging both refugee and host communities – to build capacity and ensure that the learning is captured and translated into positive change.