Remove Cultural Barriers This International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is observed on every 6th of April and this year it’s the fourth anniversary of this initiative. Sports is an essential form of human expression, which can enhance dignity among humans and strengthen societies as a whole. The day recognizes the power of sports for promoting peace and erasing cultural barriers worldwide.

The day also marks the inauguration of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2013, through its Resolution (A/RES/67/296), declared 6th April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and it has been celebrated each year ever since 2014.

The date 6th April, has also been used since the year 2003, by several civil society organizations for celebrating a “World Day for Physical Activity”.

Sports is a passion shared by men and women across the world and it is a source of physical well-being as well social empowerment. Sports has broken all barriers of inequality, especially gender inequality, and has brought together people from all diversities, irrespective of their caste and religion. Numerous games are played all over the world, having their respective fan base and there is no other platform more powerful than sports to nurture the values we all share. Sports is a way to indulge everyone, including refugees and migrants, to fight against stereotypes, and strengthen the foundations for peace in healthy societies, according to UN.

Moreover, physical inactivity leads to an estimated 3.2 million deaths every year. This is why UNESCO has joined hands with the World Health Organization in order to combat inactive lifestyles, starting with inclusive and equitable quality physical education at schools.

How can you contribute to this cause

• Hold a match, tournament or games to raise awareness among public about the formative values and advantages of sports
• Represent 6th April and promote International Day of Sport for Development and Peace through parades, run for peace, marathons, flash mob, photo or video conveying a message and let people know about the harmony that sports can bring to this world.
• Bring together sports personalities, political leaders, specialists or influential people (celebrities) on social media to debate and discuss the impact of sports on society.
• Give free rein to your creative imagination and demonstrate how sports can bring peace and development via exhibition, dance, drawing etc.
  Help in organizing and take part in a sporting event for underprivileged kids like KidSport or Right to Play International. The amount of money donated goes toward helping these underprivileged kids to get involved in sports and keep them happy and healthy.
• Organize a workshop, open-to-all discussion sessions or any other awareness raising activities on the topic of peace and development through sports.

Why should you do this?

• In 2008, 1.533 billion people were insufficiently physically active.
• Physically active children are 15% more likely to go to college.
• Physically active children are less likely to smoke, engage in risky sexual behavior, or use drugs.
• Kids of active moms are twice as likely to be active.
• Physical inactivity is responsible for 6 percent of coronary heart disease, 7 percent of type-2 diabetes, and 10 percent of breast and colon cancers
• Investment in sports (time, equipment, facilities) three times more beneficial than investment in medical costs savings.
• It is estimated that non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are connected to physical inactivity, would be the major cause of death in Africa by 2030.

Sports can no longer be considered a luxury for any society but it is rather an important investment in the present and future generations, particularly in developing countries. This International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, contribute what you can and prevent an inactive lifestyle, as the change starts at home.