The Peace and Sport Forum kicked off on Wednesday 23 November in Monaco with the Peace Walk, a highly symbolic initiative.
After tracing the word ‘Peace’ with an olive branch and holding up a white card, H.S.H. Prince Albert, walked alongside the 30 Champions for Peace attending the Forum, including track and field athletes Yelena Isinbayeva, Paula Radcliffe and Wilson Kipketer; cyclist Philippe Gilbert; tennis player Tatiana Golovin, and rugby players Imanol Harinordoquy, Jean-François Tordo and Dan Luger. They were joined by many political and sports celebrities, not to mention three Nobel Peace Prize-winners: Abdessatar Ben Moussa, Mohammed Fadhel Mahfoudh and Ouided Bouchamaoui, who walked together in a demonstration of upholding the values of peace.
Some strong words, solemn but bringing hope, were addressed during the Opening Ceremony by HSH Prince Albert, Noble Peace Prizewinner Ouided Bouchamaoui in the name of Tunisians, UN Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace Wilfried Lemke and His Highness Sh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s.
The Forum, with the theme of ‘Game On For Peace: Mobilizing Global Change through Sport’ continues over Thursday and Friday.
The following five issues will be debated during this time:
- Sports diplomacy
- Moving towards longstanding legacies
- Gender equity in sports
- Social integration of refugees
- Peace through sport in the digital era
An extract from H.S.H. Prince Albert’s opening speech:
“We, who believe in the virtues of sport, know its capacity to forge, re-establish and strengthen ties. We know that it’s a value that we must invest more into, a sure value that can help to originate a more peaceful way of life.
For this reason, I particularly admire the concrete initiatives that Peace and Sport brings to light, which show that it works, and I encourage Joel Bouzou and his team to continue in the same direction – the right one – by pledging the support of the Monaco Government.”
Joël Bouzou, President of Peace and Sport :
“Peace is being threatened and sport must get mobilized to open new avenues. Recent events over the last year, and even the last few days, are full of teachings. Our certitudes have been questioned and our future is full of misgivings and doubts. The rise of sectarianism and national ego, the return to domestic identity and rejection of outsiders is today a major trend.
But these uncertain times also bring new, positive and unexpected dynamics. A fresh kind of citizen’s movement is developing, which involves being part of decisions. And sport has its place here: Demonstration by proof is a principle that Peace and Sport has been committed to for several years. It’s the path that we invite you to take, using tangible examples.”
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