Educating and Training Leaders for Peace Consolidating Peace through Sport

S.E. Mme Isabelle Picco, Représentant permanent de Monaco auprès des Nations Unies, lors de son allocution ©DR

In partnership with the University for Peace, whose headquarters are in Costa Rica, the Permanent Missions of Costa Rica, Monaco and Tunisia organised a meeting on 1 September 2016 at the UN headquarters in New York on the theme of "Educating and Training Leaders for Peace - Consolidating Peace through Sport."

At this meeting, the Rector, Francisco Rojas-Aravena, recalled the creation in 1980 of the University for Peace by the United Nations General Assembly and its mandate to promote education for peace within the United Nations system.  The partnership with the International University of Monaco, as part of its Master's programme, which includes Peace and Sport, was also mentioned by the Dean, Juan Carlos Sainz-Borgo.

H.E. Mr. Anwarul Chowdhury, author of the Declaration and the UN's Action Programme for a culture of peace and former Deputy Secretary-General and High Representative for least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small developing island States, emphasised the vital role of education and the responsibilities of the various State, civil and religious players in building a culture of peace.

In conclusion, H.E. Ms. Isabelle Picco, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the United Nations, recalled the recognition of sport as a tool for sustainable development in the 2030 Agenda and the importance attributed to it in the UN agenda as a vector for development and peace.  The Ambassador highlighted the active participation of the IOC, which has had observer status at the General Assembly since 2009, and also referred to the International Day, which has been celebrated on 6 April every year since 2014.