International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2022

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is celebrated annually on 6 April, and it aims to promote the values of sports like tolerance, fairness, teamwork, and mutual respect for a peaceful living, in solidarity. It is the Day where sport and development actors work together with communities to bring sporting opportunities to enrich lives, particularly youth.

Sport is a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and networks, and to promote ideals of peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence, tolerance, and justice. Unfortunately, for the past two years, sport activities and events have been particularly affected by the necessary health measures and restrictions imposed in countries around the world. Despite the recent challenges, this day remains a great opportunity for the sport and development community to showcase the ways sport has been helping countries, communities, and individuals to navigate these challenging times and build back better.

Now more than ever, we need to overcome our differences and unite as one team working together to tackle these obstacles and create a safer, more peaceful, and more sustainable future for all. Hence, this year’s theme of International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is ‘Securing a Sustainable and Peaceful Future for All: The Contribution of Sport’ which creates an opportunity to promote the use of sport as a tool to advance human rights and sustainable development.

We, at the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), recognise the growing contribution of sport and leisure activities to the realisation of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect. This Day has a positive influence on the healthy development of the individual, especially young people. Doing sports is not only good for the body but it also can support teamwork skills, increase power to motivate oneself, and at the same time have fun. Sport has the power to change the world, it is a fundamental right, a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and promote sustainable development and peace and well as solidarity, and respect.

The power of sport is to enhance life skills of young people for a better world and to advance gender equality. The World Health Organization recommends 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity per week, or a combination of both. There is an abundance of free and accessible online and digital tools targeted at encouraging people of all ages and abilities to stay active and mobile while remaining at home.

We urge young people to be active, stay healthy, and demonstrate solidarity at all times. Sport can cross boundaries and defy stereotypes, let us be active in building back better!