April 6 is the United Nations’ (UN) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which recognizes the power of sport in promoting peace and erasing cultural barriers worldwide. The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace promotes healthy lifestyles and emphasizes the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) focus on giving as many people as possible access to sport. It is day when some of the world’s leading sports people work together with communities to bring sporting opportunities to enrich lives, particularly children.The foundation concentrates on holistic development of youth sector in the theme of “Develop Youth for Development”. It uses sports as a tool for youth development with the aim of reducing school dropouts, promoting higher education among many other issues. Our work falls under skill development, adolescent health care, life skills education, civic citizenship and social learning.As the part of International Day of Sports for Development and Peace Day, Commonwealth Sports for Development And Peace (CYSDP)- Asia Region in association with  organized a Sports for Development Campaign for slum kids and also a Signature campaign on April 6,2016. The Audacious Dreams Youth Panel member from Tirchy conducted the Campaign in Trichy to support International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Sport has proven to be a cost-effective and flexible tool in promoting peace and development objectives.

About International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

The IOC and the UN have a long-standing commitment to using sport as a tool for social change and have worked together on many projects over the years. Both organizations have used sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, to bridge cultural understanding and improve education, health, economic and social development.

On August 23, 2013, the UN proclaimed that the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace would be celebrated on April 6 each year. This date also marks the opening of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.

Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group 

                            The Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group (CYSDP) is made up of a small group of young practitioners in the field of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP). It was established in 2013 with the support of the Youth Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat. Its members, with a diversity of experiences and cultural backgrounds, aim to be: “The leading voice for youth in the Commonwealth towards promoting best practices in sport for development and peace in their respective societies – by targeting young people and policy makers.”The CYSDP has three main strategic techniques, which are to ‘Advocate, Educate and Demonstrate’ to their peers the benefits of using sport as a tool for development.

For reference:

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/un/sport-day

http://www.un.org/en/events/sportday/

http://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-youth-sport-development-and-peace-working-group