(ATR) Sport’s role in peacekeeping, gender empowerment and global development were the main subjects discussed Wednesday at the UN’s 3rd International Forum on Sport for Peace and Development.
In partnership with the U.S. Olympic Committee, the event drew 37 IOC members to UN headquarters in New York City.
The forum – titled "Creating a Common Vision" – stressed the importance of further IOC and UN cooperation through sport.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and IOC President Jacques Rogge delivered the keynote addresses. Ban, from South Korea, also received the Olympic Order.
"Our organizations play different roles in society but we share the same fundamental values," Rogge said in his speech, highlighting UN and IOC cooperation around the Olympic Youth Development Center in Lusaka, Zambia. The two leaders visited the site together in February 2012.
"Work on a second Olympic Youth and Development Center is on the way in Haiti and going well," Rogge noted.
In his speech, Ban Ki moon stressed sport’s value in peacekeeping and in accomplishing the UN’s Millennium Development Goals to end poverty.
"The UN has embraced sport as a valuable vehicle for reaching our goals," he said.
The U.N. chief cited IOC projects in Burundi, Namibia, Haiti and Zambia as tangible proof that sport is a valuable commodity in peacekeeping and global development. The Youth Community Center in Burundi was launched with help from the UN Development Program, and is focused on using sport as a vehicle for peace in troubled border regions with the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Ban also discussed programs with FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal as high-profile endeavors to bring global awareness.
He concluded his speech by praising the IOC for its work on gender empowerment and its work for people with disabilities. Promoting gender equality and empowering women is one of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals.
Preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases – another Millennium Development Goal – was also mentioned by both dignitaries.
The forum runs through Thursday, when the UN and IOC will adopt a resolution with recommendations for the next two years of their partnership.
Reported from New York by Ed Hula with reporting by Aaron Bauer in Atlanta.
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