Events

Location: UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France

Rooms: Room II

Type: Cat VIII - Symposia

Arrangement type: In-Person

Language(s): French, English

To celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (6 April), UNESCO and Peace and Sport have joined forces to organize a unique event showcasing the role of athletes in promoting peace and sustainable development, on and off the sport field.

As role models and inspirational figures, athletes play a key role in leading social change in and through sport. Their powerful voices can advocate for more inclusive and peaceful societies, while their actions can inspire children and young people to engage in sport and physical activity and encourage them to become agents of change.

As public figures with millions of fans worldwide, athletes possess a unique platform that can be leveraged to empower youth and inspire change in societies. However, this great visibility may also pose challenges to them, notably when they express themselves openly on sensitive social and political issues. 

Following the round table organized by UNESCO at its 7th Global Conference of Ministers of Sports on athletes' engagement in the collective action to promote sport for all, this International Dialogue will be an opportunity to narrow down and focus on understanding the role of athletes as key advocates for peacebuilding as well as the expectations and challenges they encounter. High-level athletes will take the floor to share their personal stories as well as their views on the support they expect from sport-related organizations.

URL: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/athletes-game-peace-unesco-peace-and-sport-international-dialogue