Sport for peace: harnessing the role of sport in conflict resolution and peacebuilding

Special Event

Sustainable Peace Infrastructures and Initiatives and Institutions

Sport for peace: harnessing the role of sport in conflict resolution and peacebuilding

The International Centre for Sport Security, Permanent mission of the State of Qatar to the UN on Geneva, Education Above All Foundation, The Geneva Peacebuilding Platform

17/10/2024 @ 16:00 - 17:30
Auditorium A2 (pétale 1) – Hybrid

Geneva Peace Week 2024 offers a unique platform to address global challenges and propose innovative solutions for sustainable peace. Sport, with its universal appeal and ability to transcend cultural, political and social barriers, offers an underused avenue for peace-building. This panel will align with the broader objectives of Geneva Peace Week, including highlighting the role of sport in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

The proposed panel aims to explore the potential of sport as a powerful tool to integrate, facilitate and accelerate peacebuilding processes, conflict resolution and social cohesion. The session will bring together both athletes with experience in conflict resolution and influential figures from various fields, including sports diplomacy, international relations, peacebuilding and grassroots activism, to discuss strategies and share experiences on how sport can be used to foster peace at all levels.

Opening speech

Preliminary remarks

Ms Juhara Al-Suwaidi, Deputy Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar in Geneva

Mr Mohammed Al Henzab - President of the International Centre for Safety in Sport

Fahad Al Sulaiti, CEO Education Above All Foundation (Online)

Aziyadé Poltier Mutal - Senior Officer - Partnership, Office of the Director General of the United Nations Office at Geneva

Sport for peace

Panel discussion

Four to five experts from diverse backgrounds will share their insights and case studies on how sport has been successfully used in peacebuilding efforts, reconciliation and countering violent extremism programmes. The discussion will cover topics such as:
- sport diplomacy
- integrating sport into peacebuilding and mediation processes
- grassroots successes, social and gender inclusion in and through sport
- how and what to do better and more
.

Mr Massimiliano Montanari - CEO of the International Centre for Sport Safety

Mrs Honey Thaljieh, founder and first captain of the first women's national football team in Palestine.

Sport for peace

Moderator

Dr. Annyssa Bellal - Executive Director, Geneva Peacebuilding Platform

Q&A session

Conversation between participants and panelists, ask questions and share perspectives to enable knowledge exchange and delve deeper into topics of common interest.

Closing remarks

Summary of key takeaways and closing remarks from the moderator. Participants will be encouraged to continue the conversation during an informal networking session.

Interpreting

Interpreting services are available for all Geneva Peace Week events, on-site and online, through Wordly AI.

Live streaming

Join the event live here.

ICSS and Save the Dream

The International Centre for Sport Security is a global non-profit organisation created to safeguard sport in terms of safety, security, service and integrity, and to protect the opportunities that sport can generate in the socio-economic context. Since 2020, the ISSC has led, jointly with UN partners, the Global Programme on the Security of Major Sport Events and the Use of Sport to Prevent Violent Extremism (PVE).

In 2012, the ISSC launched, with the support of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Ooredoo, the technology partner, the "Save the Dream" initiative.

Under the guidance of a High Level Council of leading experts in international affairs, peacebuilding and sport, Save the Dream implements and promotes activities to empower young people through safe access to sport and its educational and social values. With the generous support of partners such as the Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), Qatar Charity, the European Union and civil society benefactors, Save the Dream has implemented Sport for Peace projects in both post-conflict and crisis areas such as Darfur and Somalia.