Events

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 6 April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, to celebrate the contribution of sports and physical activity to education, human development, healthy lifestyles and a peaceful world. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is celebrated every year on 6 April.

Why Sport?

Sport has historically played an important role in all societies, be it in the form of competitive sport, physical activity or play. But one may wonder: what does sport have to do with the United Nations? In fact, sport presents a natural partnership for the United Nations (UN) system, including UNESCO:

• sport and play are human rights that must be respected and enforced worldwide;

• sport has been increasingly recognized and used as a low-cost and high-impact tool in humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts, not only by the UN system but also by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, development agencies, sports federations, armed forces and the media.

Sport can no longer be considered a luxury within any society but is rather an important investment in the present and future, particularly in developing countries.

Links: 

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

UNESCO's Programme on Sport and Anti-Doping

UNESCO Resolution on this International Day

Theme page:

Learning to Live Together

Culture of Peace and Non-violence

Sport and Anti-doping

Intercultural Dialogue

Partnerships

URL:

https://en.unesco.org/events/international-day-sport-development-and-peace-0