As part of its continued efforts to use sport to drive social inclusion for the world’s one billion persons with disabilities, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has signed a Co-operation Agreement with the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC).
Under the terms of the Co-operation Agreement, the two organisations will partner on several initiatives that will further the rights of persons with disabilities. The IPC will support the delivery of UNAOC’s
One Humanity initiative which calls for solidarity, compassion and unity in the face of discrimination and divisiveness. Meanwhile, UNAOC will join a growing roster of international organisations to partner with the IPC to deliver a global communications campaign around the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games that aims to change global attitudes towards disability.
The IPC and UNAOC will also explore possibilities for closer co-operation with regards to strategy and policy development, research, communication and the promotion of persons of disabilities, and events, including the IPC Inclusion Summit that will be held during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: "The IPC is greatly excited to partner with UNAOC as we share a passion for combating stereotypes, misperceptions and discrimination and showing that diversity is a strength and not something to be feared.
"Through sport, the IPC wants to transform the lives of the world’s one billion persons with disabilities and bring communities together as one. We appreciate we cannot do this alone and that is why we are partnering with several organisations such as UNAOC to breakdown barriers and deliver seismic change for the world’s largest marginalised community.
"In a world dominated by influencers, we must use the platform of our major sport events and our athletes to change society’s view of disability and there is no greater platform to do this than the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. With billions of TV viewers around the world set to watch the Games, we can use sporting performances to change global attitudes towards disability and work with governments, businesses and the pubic to create further opportunities. We can show that Change Starts with Sport."
Miguel Moratinos, High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, said: "We are really proud to have signed this collaboration agreement with the International Paralympic Committee, as we are sure that it can add a lot of value, expertise and experience to our mission. The IPC is the perfect travel companion for UNAOC's #OneHumanity programme, as we both share the same vision of a more integrated, respectful and cohesive world. For decades, the IPC has been fighting prejudice and inequality, standing as an example on how to use sport, one of the most powerful voices there is, to do so. We are sure that this collaboration will bring amazing results, and I want to thank the IPC and its president, Andrew Parsons, for their immediate interest and support."
As part of the IPC’s push to use Para sport to advance the human rights agenda for persons with disabilities, the organisation has also signed Co-operation Agreements with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), The Valuable 500, and UN Human Rights with more partnerships set to be announced in the coming months.
UNAOC was established in 2005 and maintains a global network of partners including states, international and regional organisations, civil society groups, foundation and the private sector to improve cross-cultural relations between diverse nations and communities. Its four priority areas for action are: Education, Youth, Migration and Media.
Founded in 1989, the IPC is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. Its vision is to make for a more inclusive world through Para sport, while its mission is to lead the Paralympic Movement, oversee the delivery of the Paralympic Games and support members to enable Para athletes to achieve sporting excellence.
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