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: "Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies." International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2024. The concept of Sport for Development and Peace is rooted in the recognition that sport possesses unique attributes that enable it to contribute to development and peace processes. These attributes include: Universal popularity – transcending of national, cultural, socio-economic and political boundaries, when done right, sport is enjoyable for participants and spectators alike and can be invoked in virtually any community in the world. Capacity as a powerful global communications platform – Because sport events offer the capacity to reach vast numbers of people, they are effective platforms for public education & social mobilization. Ability to connect – sport is an inherently social process bringing together players, teams, coaches, volunteers & spectators. Cross cutting nature – sport can be used to address a broad range of social and economic challenges. Potential to empower, motivate and inspire – sport has the natural ability to draw on, develop, and showcase individual strengths and capacities. On April 6th; 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:#PeacefulSocieties, #InclusiveSocieties, #Sport4SDGs, #SportForDevelopment, #Agenda2030, #SportDay, #IDSDP, #6April.
EVENTS: On April 4th, from 11am to 1pm (EST); A panel discussion will be held to celebrate the 11th anniversary 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 highlighting the role sport plays in helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Gain insight from leading figures in the sporting world as they discuss innovative ways sport is helping take climate action, promote sustainability and gender equality, combat racism, and foster industry partnerships. The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2024 event will recognize the role of sport in promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. In addition to UN Member State Ambassadors and UN officials, the event features elite athletes and experts from prominent sporting organizations such as the Players Coalition, Concacaf, UEFA, Generation Amazing, Protect our Winters, and FIFA. Speakers will share best practices, discuss challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities that leverage sport as a tool for sustainable development and peace. The event entitled "Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies." is organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC) and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), 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. Join UN DESA for a special event; Register to participate!
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 2024 Campaign "Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies." 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.