Monaco, 20 September 2011 - To mark the International Day of Peace on September 21, 25,000 people living in the poorest areas of the world will celebrate the values of peace and understanding between nations by speaking a universal language: the language of sport.
At the initiative of "Peace and Sport", an international organization under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, youth centres and sports clubs in Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Timor-Leste, Haiti, Colombia and Israel-Palestine will hold special Open Days to promote the values of sport and show how these values can make a sustainable impact on peace and reconciliation within hostile communities.
More than 4,000 young people and 20,000 spectators of all ages will simultaneously take part in this unique operation. On the agenda: sports competitions and demonstrations, introduction to a variety of sports activities and cultural events, with the aim of spreading messages of reconciliation, tolerance and understanding.
Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport, said: "Through sport, we have the power to sow the seeds of sustainable peace within young generations, to help them rise above conflicts provoked by differences in ethnic backgrounds, religion or political beliefs. Through these Open Days, sports clubs and youth centres that we support will inform their local communities about the work they do for peace and stability.
Throughout the year, these centres make an exceptional effort to foster a culture of peace and to build a future of hope, humanity and generosity. We are touched and very proud that our appeal is relayed with equal enthusiasm on all five continents."
Since its inception in 2007, Peace and Sport has worked alongside local actors in the field to instigate long-term projects in these seven vulnerable countries, with the aim of using sport as a tool for peace, dialogue, reconciliation and social cohesion. More than 50,000 children worldwide currently take part in sports programs for peace-promotion and peace-building that the organization supports.
In a few weeks, from 26 to 28 October 2011, Peace and Sport will host the fifth annual Peace and Sport International Forum which will bring together over 500 decision-makers and opinion leaders from 95 countries to join forces to mobilize stakeholders involved in peace through sport.
For more information, contact: www.peace-sport.org
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