During the 27th UNFP awards ceremony, Peace and Sport and the UNFP announced the renewal of their collaboration to use football in favor of international solidarity, dialogue and bringing communities together. This collaboration will take a new dynamic through the involvement of UNFP football club players in Peace and Sport field actions.
Yesterday evening the President and Founder of Peace and Sport, Joel Bouzou and the UNFP Co-President Philippe Piat invited the UNFP football club players to mobilize in concrete peace-through-sport actions in the framework of programs conducted by Peace and Sport such as the sports workshops in France, in Syrian refugee camps in Jordan or in the African Great Lakes region.
Joel Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport said:
“Today, we are very pleased to continue our collaboration with the UNFP and to give it a new dynamic. Professional athletes are true role models for youth and we are convinced that they can share the positive values of sport with the beneficiaries of our programs. ”
Philippe Piat, Co-President of the UNFP added:
“We wanted to give another dimension to the Peace and Sport trophy and to be closer to the players in order to show that solidarity is the business of every player regardless his fame. We will be pleased to share with you about these actions on the occasion of the next award ceremony. ”
In the past, the collaboration between Peace and Sport and the UNFP through the UNFP-Peace and Sport trophy brought to light actions for peace, international solidarity and the reconciliation of communities through football. It identified emerging projects from amateur football and helps them develop by giving financial, logistical and media support.
In 2017, Dammarie Les Lys Football Club was rewarded for its development program encouraging a policy of non-violence and providing support for children in their education. In 2016, the trophy was awarded to the US Pont-Sainte-Maxence Football Club for its “Every young person at their best” program designed for 5-14 year-olds. Using classic football training exercises, the program teaches them five core values: sociability, mutual support, autonomy, community living and self-transcendence.
