Peace and sport

Some 500 students and their teachers from UNESCO Associated Schools in sixty countries gathered at Dinard and St Malo (France) from 12 to 17 June to reinforce the contribution of sport to a culture of peace.

In their "Youth Appeal" issued at the close of the International Friendship Encounter, the participants invited young people "to participate a maximum in sports, to refrain from taking drugs and from doping, to be responsible and to behave in a spirit of good sportsmanship...". In their Appeal, the young people express their vision of sport and their hopes and expectations for the future.

The Youth Appeal also calls on top athletes, national and international sports authorities, and the International Olympic Committee to adopt zero tolerance for doping. Sports organizations such as the International Soccer Federation, Formula One and others are asked "to share some of their earnings in order to sustain sports development for young people in support of non-violence on the fields and in the stadium."

The young people spent their time between multi-cultural friendly matches, cultural activities and debates on issues such as equal access for boys and girls to sports, sport as a factor for health, integration, non-violence and fair play.

The International Friendship Encounter was organized by UNESCO, the French National Commission for UNESCO and the French Ministry for Youth and Sports.

Contacts: E. Khawajkie, Associated Schools Project Network.
H. Oussedik, Preventive Education and Sport Section.