UNESCO

A merry crowd shakes hands with football
star and President of Juventus Football Club
Legends David Trézéguet during his visit to
Bangui (Central African Republic) in November.
Mr Trézéguet and a UNESCO delegation assessed
progress on a social rehabilitation project
for former child soldiers, which is part of the
partnership between UNESCO and Juventus
Football Club in favour of inclusion and against
all forms of discrimination.
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© Lapresse
UNESCO and Juventus unite to the benefit of child soldiers in CAR
President of Juventus Football Club Legends David Trézéguet visited Bangui (Central African
Republic) to assess the progress of a project for the social rehabilitation of 100 children
(former child soldiers, or children affected in their physical or moral integrity). The project,
in partnership with the École des Métiers d’Art, includes classes in literacy and training in
a range of professional skills including welding and wood sculpting. ‘We are here to support
UNESCO in this undertaking and help take the children back to a normal life,’ Mr Trézéguet said.
The delegation then travelled to Mali, where they launched a similar project.
Mr Han Meilin, famous Chinese painter,
sculptor and designer, was designated as
a UNESCO Artist for Peace on 13 October, in
recognition of his long-term commitment
to promoting art and artistic education in
the People’s Republic of China, his support to
providing quality education to young people
in Asia and Africa, and his dedication to
the ideals and aims of the Organization.
© Han Meilin Art Museum
The Conference of Parties (COP5) to
the International Convention against
Doping in Sport held its fifth session at
UNESCO Headquarters in October, with
key partners including the World Anti-
Doping Agency (WADA), the International
Olympic Committee (IOC), the International
Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Council of
Europe and Interpol. It celebrated a decade
of work by UNESCO and 182 State Parties to
eradicate this serious problem. More than
350 participants from over 115 countries
met to discuss anti-doping challenges and
propose solutions. ‘Prevention is better
than cure. … We must continue our
advocacy work to educate and enforce in
order to fulfil our ambition of eradicating
doping from sport worldwide. The only
possible way to fight doping effectively
is through education,’ Irina Bokova said.
The use of performance-enhancing
substances causes serious health problems,
and also undermines fairness and ethical
behaviour. UNESCO considers that
educating young people about the dangers
of prohibited substances is a key tactic, and
is working with the Brazilian Anti-Doping
Authority ahead of the 2016 Olympic and
Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
In 2015, the Fund for the Elimination of
Doping in Sport approved 30 new initiatives
amounting to more than US $670,000.