IOC begins new era in United Nations cooperation

 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) welcomes the initiative by the new United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, to even further enhance the already excellent cooperation with the IOC.

The UN Secretary-General had proposed this in his meeting with IOC President Thomas Bach in January 2017. In this meeting, both leaders had agreed to establish a “direct partnership” between the UN and the IOC.

By means of this direct partnership, the UN will have direct access to the expertise and know-how of the IOC and its 206 National Olympic Committees, as well as the International Sports Federations. This is a more streamlined approach and will avoid parallel work. As a consequence of this decision, the UN Secretary-General has decided to close the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP).

“We are enthusiastic about the great potential of this direct partnership with the United Nations and we thank the United Nations Secretary–General, António Guterres, for his initiative. This will strengthen the position of sport even more in society and will help sport to fulfil its role as ‘an important enabler of sustainable development’, as outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The direct partnership is fully in line with the UN resolution, which ‘supports the independence and autonomy of sport as well as the mission of the IOC in leading the Olympic Movement’,” IOC President Thomas Bach said.

A wonderful afternoon celebrating the power of sport at Böson

The Power of Sport Foundation hosted a first of its kind conference celebrating the UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace yesterday at Bosön, just north of Stockholm. 

The day began with a lively presentation of the particpants of the 2017 UN Camp Sweden. Youth leaders in sport from around the world are here for a training program to better implement projects on sport for development and peace.

Carolina Klüft then took the stage and spoke about the importance of an active lifestyle and healthy living both for the body and mind. Panel discussions would follow featuring 6-time Olympian Therese Alshammar, Beatrice Frey (UN Women New York), David Given-Sjölander (Postkod Foundation Sweden), Thando Msweli (Peaceplayers South Africa), Gladys Tsoanyane and Thabiso Moea from the Lesotho Olympic Committee.

The second session of the day saw the days keynote speaker, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson speak to the onlookers about the state of the world and the potenial that sport has to make a contribution to peace and democracy in the world today. 

Homkant Surendase of Slum Soccer then took the stage to share his touching story on how football and his involvment in Slum Soccer India would change his life forever.

Persons with a disability, both physical and mental are sadly on the outskirts of society in many areas of the world. Discussing the impact sport can have at empowering such groups of people were Kim Källström (Kim Källström Trophy and Djugården Football), Sylvana Mestre (Play and Train/Paralympic Order), Åsa Linares (Paralympic Sweden) and Bijay Shahi (Gabaka Foundation).

Hans Vestberg from the Swedish Olympic Committee finished the day by discussing the importance of legacy and sustainability in a potential Sweden bid for the Winter Olympics.

Photos from the event can be found here.

Jan Eliasson headlines April 6th Conference at Bosön

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is an annual celebration that highlights and promotes the power of sport as a catalyst for social change in all corners of the world. Since  2014,  following a  decision by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the IDSDP has been celebrated  each year on 6 April, creating a historical link to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. 

The Power of Sport Foundation will host the first conference of its kind celebrating the day on April 6th, 2017 at Bosön, just north of Stockholm.

Former Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson, Carolina Klüft, Hans Vestberg, Kim Källström, Therese Alshammar and more will be joined by participants from 2017 UN Camp Sweden at the event aimed at celebrating the role sport can play in making a social change. 

UN Camp Sweden 2017 to kick off Monday April 3rd

The fourth edition of UN Camp Sweden will take place at Bosön Sports Center, just outside of Stockholm from 3-8 April, 2017.

UN Camp Sweden has a history in Sweden as an important training for youth leaders around the world who are united by their belief that sport can change lives. Cruyff Institute Sweden signed a 5 year agreement in 2013 to set up United Nations training programs in Sweden for these young leaders from around the world. 

The program was created as a response to the Millennium Development Goals and the belief that sport could play a vital role in achieving those goals. In 2015 the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created with an intergovernmental set of 17 aspiration Goals with 169 targets and the program now turns its attention to the SDGs in its framework.

Youth from around the world learn new skills and knowledge from leading organizations in sport for development and peace so they can return to their communities inspired and bursting with ideas on how to combine education and sport to make a positive impact on society. 

The third edition of UN Camp Sweden had a number of specific and exciting initiatives including a week devoted to gender, a Women's Leadership Roundtable "Leaders in sport make leaders in business" and more.

In 2017 UN Camp Sweden will feature:

  • Leaders from around the world who are high performers from previous UN Camps and leaders from Swedish sport for development projects.
  • Training's will be done on subjects such as leadership, creating role models, project management and more and will be undertaken by Youth Sport Trust, Fryshuset, UN Women and Play and Train.
  •  Leaders from Sweden and around the world will have the change to share ideas, learn from each other and inspire each other in their work.

Athlete Mentorship Program to Launch April 5th at Bosön

In collaboration with the Johan Cruyff Institute Sweden, The Power of Sport Foundation will be having its first Athlete Mentorship Workshop on April 5th, 2017 at Bosön in Lidingö.

The workshop will be comprised of graduates and current students of the Cruyff Institute Swedens Management Diploma for Athletes (MDA). The MDA is a one year tailor made education in business offered to athletes who have finished their careers in sport and wish to transition into business. The MDA is in collaboration with The Stockholm School of Economics.

The training will be facilitated by the British organization, Youth Sport Trust who do a similar program in the UK in collaboration with Sky Sports. program helps give athletes the tools necessary to effectively share their stories and inspire young people around Sweden. Training focuses on the interaction between athlete and young people and effective ways to articulate the unique journey that athletes take throughout their careers.

This will be the beginning of a similar program in Sweden, driven by the athletes through The Power of Sport Foundation.