INTERNATIONAL DAY OF SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

Peace and Sport Awards 2022

Since 2016, Peace and Sport delivers the April6 Initiative of the Year Award during the Peace and Sport Forum. This Award represents an important means of acknowledging the contributions of individuals and organizations promoting April6, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace either by organizing an event to raise awareness about the power of sport for peace or by participating in the #WhiteCard campaign.

Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú para el Deporte

The Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú para el Deporte led a comprehensive and massive mobilization to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.

Over 60 activities and sporting events were organized in urban and rural areas across Mexico, benefiting thousands of girls, boys, adults and disabled people.

More than 80 Sports Ambassadors joined the mobilization, raising awareness about April6 and the #WhiteCard symbol. The initiative sparked a discussion in Mexico’ Senate Chamber to improve national public policies regarding health, development and peaceful change through sport.

“Sport does not only bring entertainment and physical health. It is a transversal engine of society. It is a tool for social inclusion that teaches us the values and the beauty of difference. Sport empowers the individual and the society in an exponential way. I, on behalf of the World Rafting movement that I have the honour to represent, warmly thank all the people sustaining Peace and Sport for the daily commitment they put in their activities, for a better world. ”

Danilo Barmaz

President, World Rafting Federation

Previous recipients of this award

Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú para el Deporte

The Fundación Alfredo Harp Helú para el Deporte led a comprehensive and massive mobilization to celebrate the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Over 60 activities and sporting events were organized in urban and rural areas across Mexico, benefiting thousands of girls, boys, adults and disabled people. More than 80 Sports Ambassadors joined the mobilization, raising awareness about April6 and the #WhiteCard symbol. The initiative sparked a discussion in Mexico’ Senate Chamber to improve national public policies regarding health, development and peaceful change through sport.

World Rafting Federation

Through the “Be white water” initiative the World Rafting Federation aimed to highlight the meaningful stories of respect, sharing and inclusion that are at the heart of the Rafting community. On the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, Rafters from around the world were encouraged to share their testimonies and to celebrate the beauty that exists in diversity. Athletes and fans shared meaningful stories on the power of Rafting to bring people together and foster gender equity and social inclusion with initiatives that bring on the same boats’ men, women and para-rafting athletes.

Kosovo Olympic Committee

The Kosovo Olympic Committee, as every year, participated with innovative projects launching a #WhiteCard contest to celebrate the 7th edition of April6. Athletes, fans and officials were encouraged to take creative #WhiteCard pictures and videos while staying at home. More than 5,000 people took up the challenge and shared their creative #WhiteCard pieces accompanied by messages of hope and solidarity. The general public also joined the initiative by voting for their favourite photo or video through social media. In an unprecedented demonstration of the unifying power of sport, the entire Kosovo society contributed to a successful online celebration of April6 as well as the Judo Olympic Champion Majlinda Kelmendi!

2019 winnerDeporte para el Desarrollo

Festival Learn, play and try – Venezuela, Rugby. In April 2019, the first “Learn, Play and Try” Festival promoted its unique methodology, which is now nationally recognized and implemented.

2019 winnerMinistry of Youth and Sports of Bahrain

The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Bahrain received the Peace and Sport April6 Initiative of the Year Award during Peace and Sport Regional Forum in Rodos, Greece in 2018. The Ministry has organized the “1,000 Steps for Peace” event and the “Color Run” event which gathered more than 5,000 people to celebrate April6 and to raise funds to build a football field in the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan.

2017 winnerBrussels Play 4 Peace

Brussels Play 4 Peace won the April6 Award in 2017 for improving the integration and the development of life skills of underprivileged young people in Belgium. The event was made of 30 free sports activities over 2 days opened to kids and families. Kids from unprivileged zones of Brussels like Molenbeek, participated actively in this event.

2016 winner International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)

The Federation won the April 6 Award in 2016 for its dedication promoting peace through table tennis. World Table Tennis Day (WTTD) is celebrated every year on April 6 around the world. This day aims to make the game even more popular, universal and open. This means making it accessible to people regardless of age, gender, social status. In 2016 more 196 events in 83 different countries were organized, and around 40,000 people were involved.