“Sports have the power to communicate the essential values of respect, inclusion and solidarity,” said Mauro Miedico, deputy director and director of special projects and innovation branch at UN Office on Terrorism (UNOCT). “When applied in tandem with broader strategies to prevent violent extremism (PVE), it can work against radicalized drivers lead to violent extremism.”
Speakers at the round table the power of sport in overcoming the devastating impact of war, displacement and conflict facing millions at a time when terrorist groups like ISIL (or Dae’sh), Al-Qaida and Boko Haram are still spreading the message of religious, cultural and social intolerance.
The International Dayobserved on 12 February through the General Assembly Resolutionand the importance of raising awareness among young people, has shaped roundtable discussion.
Isabella Echeverri, Colombian soccer player and ambassador of the Save the Dream movement, says athletes are role models on and off the pitch.
“In sport, it’s important to respect your opponents, be loyal to your team, show integrity by going through a tough loss, as well as courage and humility when you win. win a match,” she said. “When we’re off the field, we can use our platform to inspire and help young people, for example, show respect, love their bodies, be kind to others, be aware of mental health issues, eat better, and exercise .”
Podcast highlights progress
New UNOCT Pitch’s Power podcast, is a seven-part series that examines how to apply behavioral insights to sport when addressing violent extremisms that can rise in the ranks of terrorist groups.
featured episode progress on the ground in conversations with local athletes, experts and actorsas well as the work of UN Global Sports and Security Programlaunched in 2020, with a focus on ensuring the security of major sporting events and promoting sport and its values as a tool to prevent violent extremism. force.
The podcast shows that across battlefields, deserts, and communities of conflict, sports clubs are opening up safe spaces for young people to play and learn.
New digital strategy needed
What it looks like on the pitch is communities building resilience together. Jessica Hutting, program manager at Modern Foundation Kampus Diakoneia in Indonesia, says kicking the ball across the field or into the basket will give young people the opportunity to integrate and overcome differences.
“Sport can be a unifying medium,” she said. “People can speak in different languages, but Sports can be a connecting language melt those differences.”
Like COVID-19 The pandemic and its associated limitations have led young people to become more and more attached to mobile phones and devices, she emphasized. need a new strategy to reach them on digital platforms And encourage them to be more active in sports.
Building peace on the pitch
Masereka Wilber, of the Integrated Community Development Initiative, explains that the stress and mental disorder he faced after the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo made him hate everyone. But, football changed that, teaching him teamwork and tolerance.
“When you’re on the field, you play as a team,” he said. A United Nations grant is funding efforts to reach more young people like him, he said, adding that new efforts are reaching out to train refugee communities.
Afghan women play ball
Former captain and founder of the Afghanistan Women’s Soccer Team, Khalida Popal, explains how she faced challenges as a refugee, from prejudice to exclusion.
“Being a refugeewhat I heard was ‘refugees are coming to take our money’,” she said. “I don’t want the money; I want to contribute equally to society.”
To showcase good examples of minorities, including refugees, who are making a positive impact, she founded the Women’s Power Foundation as a bridge from Europe to Middle East to provide ways women and girls can connect and thrive through sport and education.
As the first woman to win the European football body’s (UEFA) Equal Game Award, she says sport has helped her find confidence. a voice for the voiceless. Growing up in a war zone dominated by men, she said sport can create a safe space for women to discuss some of these challenges.
“Football is always a powerful tool,” she said. “We’re trying to use sport as a tool to bring people together to raise awareness.”
Promoting unity
On football fields around the world, local groups are launching a host of other innovative projects with government funding. UN global programwhich stick with youth to ensure policymakers consider their unique skills and perspectives and with member states provide technical assistance on how to incorporate these initiatives in national strategies to prevent violent extremism.
Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, executive chairman of the Thirteenth African Games, to be held in August in Ghana, said: “We try to promote unity. Major sports competitions like the African Games can be a platform to send messages of peacerepresents another opportunity to promote youth.
“Sports are one of the best tools we can use,” he said, reflecting on current conflicts across Africa. “Why? Because it brings people together.”
Sports promote peace
Bram Van Haver, speaking on behalf of High Representative of UNAOCspeak cross-border sport is a “key tool” to prevent violent extremism, and has the ability to break down the wall between people. It can also have a positive impact through diversity, he added.
Leif Villadsen, of UNICRIsaid building resilience is essential, especially for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.
“Through supporting sport and preventing violent extremism, we can helping young people reach their full potential“, he said, emphasizing that more analysis is needed on preventing violent extremism to evaluate the role of sport.
UN a ‘precious ally’
Massimiliano Montanari, executive director of Save the Dream, said sport can build more equitable and inclusive societies. highlights projects promoting reconciliation in Somalia, Sudan and other countries, he said the UN program represents a “valuable ally” for activists aiming to build societies where violent extremism cannot take hold.
“By experiencing friendship through sport, when children play together, it is an activity to celebrate International Day every day,” he said.
As many speakers at the roundtable agreed, that is the goal.
