“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.” – The Late Nelson Mandela
Sport has a unique power to attract, mobilize and inspire. Sport embodies the uniting principles of participation, inclusion and citizenship. As a universal language, sport can be a powerful tool to promote peace, tolerance and understanding by bringing people together across boundaries, cultures and religions. Its intrinsic values such as teamwork, fairness, discipline, respect for the opponent and the rules of the game are understood all over the world.
Peace One Day initiated the ONE DAY ONE GOAL campaign to encourage playing soccer around the world on September 21. Thousands of matches are played globally each year for Peace Day.
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Sports activities have been increasingly recognized and used as a low-cost and high-impact tool in humanitarian, development and peace-building efforts. In grassroots projects throughout developing areas of the world, sport is used as a tool in short-term emergency humanitarian aid activities, in long-term development projects and in the social re-integration of children and youth affected by violence and war.
Creating opportunities for respectful interaction can result in increased familiarity and tolerance. It also allows individual players to find constructive ways to channel emotions, communicate effectively and work as a member of a team.
U.N. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
A Game for Life: The Global Oneness Project 17-Minute Video and Lesson Plan
Soccer for Peace Program – Building understanding and friendships between Arab and Jewish Youth through soccer
Mercy Corps Partnered with the Portland Timbers to encourage teams worldwide to play soccer on Peace Day 2011 – CLICK HERE
HIGHLIGHTS OF PEACE DAY PHILLY ACTIVITIES RELATED TO SPORTS:
2013, 2014
P3 Philadelphia Plays for Peace
2013
POCSA – African Youth Soccer Tournament
2012
“Play for Peace” – One Day One Goal Tournament with teams representing 3 countries in West Africa. For photos of this event, CLICK HERE.
THE STARFINDER FOUNDATION, a local soccer and youth development non-profit, facilitated a number of peace related activities involving hundreds of youth from their program. The week of September 17, 2012, 21 games were proceeded by a peace pledge written by Starfinder youth.For more about this activity and the local schools that were involved, CLICK HERE For the Video the Starfinder youth created about sport and peace, CLICK HERE.
2010
ONE DAY ONE GOAL Middle School Event in Philadelphia on Peace Day
RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Role of Sport in Peacebuilding – Sportanddev.org
Olympic Truce – Sport promoting peace and international cooperation
Out of the ashes, Afghanistan rises: the role of sport in conflict resolution and development
Police Athletic League – Philadelphia
Protecting Children through Sport in Uganda – Dr. Dean Ravizza
Soccer for Peace – Program for Israeli and Palestinian Children
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dif08EyXAhQ
Street Football World – Social Change through Football (Soccer)