The UN General Assembly declared April 6th as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in 2013. This day recognizes the positive role that sport can play in advancing human rights and social and economic development. A 2007 concept note outlined reasons for having such an international day, including preserving the legacy of the UN's International Year of Sport, providing a forum to acknowledge sport's role in society, and encouraging its inclusion in other international days focused on issues like women, disabilities, and human rights. Since its establishment, various organizations have used the day to promote their initiatives and raise awareness of sport's power to promote respect, life skills, inclusion, health, and gender equality.

1. Power of Sport and the
International Day of Sport for
Development and Peace
Mary Hums
University of Louisville
&
Eli Wolff
Brown University

2. 2013 IDSDP Resolution
The UN General Assembly declared the 6 April as the
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in
late August 2013. The adoption of this day signifies the
increasing recognition by the United Nations of the
positive influence that sport can have on the advancement
of human rights, and social and economic development.

3. 2007 Concept Note
• (1) An International Day of Sport is essential to preserve and sustain the
legacy of the United Nations’ International Year of Sport and Physical
Education to ensure that the communities worldwide continue to consider
sport’s vital role in social, political and cultural development.
• (2) Although sport currently crosses international boundaries on a daily
basis, an International Day uniquely devoted to the celebration of sport
would provide a distinct forum for the international community to
acknowledge and reflect on its role in civil society.
• (3) An International Day of Sport would encourage the infusion of sport into
other International Days, including: International Women’s Day,
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, World Health
Day, International Youth Day, International Day of Disabled Persons, and
Human Rights Day.

4. 2007 Concept Note
(4) An International Day of Sport would provide an opportunity to
build upon the model of the Olympic Truce resolution that has been
developed by the United Nations and the International Olympic
Committee (IOC).
(5) Given the recent momentum of sport throughout the world in a
local, national, and international capacity, an International Day of
Sport would provide many non- governmental organizations a unified
opportunity to raise awareness for their causes.
(6) It is hoped that an International Day of Sport will be observed
through education, celebration, and public awareness to
acknowledge the many ways in which sport promotes social and
cultural development.

5. ICSSPE Special Issue

6. Stakeholder Group
• Beyond Sport
• BlazeSports
• Carribean Sport Development
Agency
• IAPESGW
• ICSSPE
• ICSSPE
• International Olympic
Committee
• International Paralympic
Committee
• IWG Women & Sport
• Laureus Sports for Good
Foundation
• Magic Bus
• National Consortium for
Academics and Sports
• Peace and Sport
• PeacePlayers International
• Right to Play
• Special Olympics International
• Sport Matters
• SportAccord
• SportAccord
• SportandDev Platform
• Streetfootballworld
• TAFISA
• UNDP
• UNESCO
• UNOSDP
• WomenWin

7. Peace & Sport -- April6.org
april6.org, created by Peace and Sport, is a
platform for expression and promotion aimed
at highlighting the initiatives being led for
april6 – International Day of Sport for
Development and Peace. This day is a unique
opportunity to mobilize, unite, encourage and
bring to light projects for peace and
development through sport.

8. UNOSDP 5 Messages
Power of Sport to
• Promote Respect and Dialogue
• Enhance Life Skills of Children and Youth
• Include Everyone, Regardless of Abilities
• Improve Physical and Mental Health
• Advance Gender Equality

10. IDSDP Poster Contest
Call to action for Schools & Students
Around the World & Anyone Can Participate!!
Create a poster and a message for the
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on April 6th
Power of Sport
Promote Respect and Dialogue • Enhance Life Skills of Children and Youth • Include Everyone,
Regardless of Abilities • Improve Physical and Mental Health •
Advance Gender Equality
#IDSDP
#IDSDP2014
10 Posters selected for recognition by global panel of Sport for Development and Peace Stakeholders
Deadline April 30, 2014

11. IDSDP Impact Assessment
• Number of events
• Number of people involved
• Number of countries
• Policy development
• Media coverage

12. “This new commemoration on the
international calendar will further promote the
value of sport as a catalyst for development
and peace.”
– Wilfried Lemke
Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on
Sport for Development and Peace

13. Questions?
Mary Hums
University of Louisville
&
Eli Wolff
Brown University