2nd International Forum on Sport for Peace - Naciones Unidas

3.2. sEssiON i
sport as a Catalyst for Achieving the mDgs
– Policy perspective
Keynote addresses
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Dr mario Pescante,
Permanent Representative for the iOC to the uN
<strong>2nd</strong> <strong>International</strong> <strong>Forum</strong> on Sport for Peace & Development
summaries
As Permanent Representative for the IOC to the UN, Dr Mario Pescante expressed his personal
satisfaction about the organisation of this forum, working side-by-side with the United Nations. He
personally thanked the Secretary General and his Special Advisor on Sports for Development and
Peace for all the work accomplished.
Dr Pescante emphasised that the cooperation between the two entities had been strengthened,
leading to an increased integration of sport into the MDGs agenda. Highlighting some examples in
this regard, he mentioned the fruitful cooperation established by the IOC with FAO and WFP, which
directly benefited communities in need. On access to primary education, the IOC was encouraging
school attendance in developing countries. On gender issues, the Olympic Movement had been very
active in promoting access of women and girls to sport and, in particular, to the Olympic Games.
Finally, he mentioned the IOC’s work with UNEP in the area of environment and sustainability, and
in particular the preparation for the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, in 2012.
Dr Pescante also addressed the conference on the importance of the culture of peace and the
Olympic Truce. As humanity was facing difficult times, sport could help build bridges that facilitate
dialogue between people, promote diplomacy, inspire with trust, and could favour diversity. He also
praised the first Youth Olympic Games, which supported this idea, and recognised the key role that
social networks had nowadays in promoting freedom and peace.
hon. hugh Robertson mP,
minister for sport and the Olympics, united Kingdom
Building on his experience, which led him to work on sport as well as on peace-keeping operations
in Cyprus and Sarajevo, Minister Robertson valued the importance of this particular forum as it
brought together two important organisations.
While not claiming to have a definitive answer on the role of sport in achieving the MDGs, he gave
an overview of the successes and challenges of the London 2012 legacy programme. Through it, a
variety of development projects have been implemented in 16 countries around the world, providing
skills for coaches, teachers and community leaders, and helping local partners to influence and
improve national policies and programmes. Some concrete examples in Bangladesh, Jordan and
Zambia were further highlighted.
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