sports

Young Europeans present strategies to combat racism in sports to European Parliament

UN initiative features young people’s ideas on tackling racism through sports

7 November 2008
Using sportswear to transmit anti-racist messages and imposing penalties for teams whose players are involved in racist incidents are just some of the ideas proposed by young people as part of a United Nations project to counter prejudice in and through sports.
Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace

Top UN envoy highlights sport’s role in bringing peace in West, Central Africa

31 October 2008
The United Nations envoy tasked with promoting sport for development and peace has wrapped up a week-long visit to West and Central Africa, where he underscored the role that sport can play in consolidating peace.
UNESCO Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura

UNESCO chief lauds United States’ ratification of sports anti-doping pact

5 August 2008
The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today welcomed the United States’ ratification of a global convention against the practice of doping in sports, saying it sends a valuable message on the eve of the opening of the Beijing Olympics.
Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, briefs correspondents

UN envoy stresses role of sports as unifying force among nations, peoples

27 June 2008
Sports can help bring people together, as witnessed by major international competitions such as the Soccer World Cup and the Olympic Games, the United Nations envoy tasked with promoting sport for development and peace said today.

UN, FIFA join forces to score development goals

9 May 2008
Ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 deadline for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the world body and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association have agreed to further their collaboration to enhance the role of sports in furthering peace.

European football clubs team up with UN to score against world hunger

14 April 2008
The Association of the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) today mustered its more than 900 member clubs to support the United Nations in its fight against hunger in the latest case of international sports teaming up with the Organization to advance humanitarian causes.

Ban Ki-moon appoints new envoy to promote sport for development and peace

18 March 2008
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Wilfried Lemke of Germany as his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, replacing Adolf Ogi of Switzerland who completed his work at the end of December 2007.

UNESCO chief heralds United States push to ratify anti-doping pact

11 February 2008
Calling doping in sport “a veritable plague,” the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has welcomed the decision by United States President George W. Bush to ask his country’s Senate to ratify a major anti-doping convention.
FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta and High Commissioner António Guterres

UN teams up with Barcelona football club to help refugee children through sport

22 January 2008
The United Nations refugee agency has partnered with Spanish football giant FC Barcelona to use sport to help provide refugee children with education and life skills.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and IOC President, Jacques Rogge

Ban Ki-moon, International Olympic Committee discuss expanded cooperation

22 January 2008
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today agreed on expanding their cooperation, especially in tackling climate change.