Meet an IOC Member - Jordanian with Peace Agenda

(ATR) The new IOC member from Jordan says his efforts to help children overcome the effects of war and strife will be aided as a result of his IOC membership.

Prince Feisal Al Hussein of Jordan was elected as an IOC member at the February IOC Session held in Vancouver, one of six new members brought aboard at the meeting. He was elected a member due to his presidency of the Jordan Olympic Committee.

But Feisal is also president of Generations for Peace, an initiative begun three years ago to bring children from troubled places together through sport. The program operates in 31 war-torn areas including Nigeria, Timor-Leste and Pakistan. Sports such as softball have contributed equipment to the program.

Last month, the IOC granted Generations for Peace recognition status, joining a group of eight other organizations such as the World Olympians Association, the Olympic Truce Foundation and Right to Play.

"I think the recognition from the IOC for Generations for Peace has been extremely rewarding," Feisal told Around the Rings while in Vancouver last month.

"That to me was a great achievement. I think it was a recognition of the work we have been doing."

"It allows us to better our coordinate activities," Feisal said. "I do not think it is because I became an IOC member. That obviously is an additional help. The recognition is the main thing that will help us get more communication and integration with the IOC."

Speaking about responsibilities of an IOC member, Feisal says he believes the position goes beyond managing the Olympic Games.

"Sports can do so much more than looking after purely good administration," he said.

Feisal, 46, joins his sister Prince Haya as an IOC member, the first time a brother and sister to serve on the IOC at the same time . Haya is the president of the International Equestrian Federation.

Their brother is Jordanian King Abdulla II.

Feisal is advocate for increasing female participation in sports. In 2007, he joined the IOC Women and Sport Commission and Jordan hosted the 2007 IOCWorld Conference on Women and Sport.

Feisal says the IOC is on the "right track" at strengthening the role of women within the organization. He pointed out that women made up half of the six new members elected at last month's session.

"We are getting greater participation of women," he said. "We are seeing people brought in because of what they can contribute."

In the short-term, Feisal looks forward to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this August.

"I think it is a great concept. Being the first I assume people are not quite sure what to expect," he said.

"But in the spirit of the Olympic Movement, it is about the interchange and engagement of the youth. It is about culture. In the past, the Olympics was also a culture festival, it wasn't just a focus on sports."

Written by Ed Hula.