From Sport Matters CEO Jackie Lauff
April 6 marks International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), a dedicated day on the United Nations calendar that unites the sporting fraternity around the world in celebration of the power of sport to make a positive and long-lasting impact.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still affecting the world with unprecedented disruptions to lives and livelihoods, IDSDP creates a global moment of reflection and celebration on what sport and physical activity means to us as individuals and organisations and importantly how we can build back better, together during the pandemic recovery.
Over the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought the world of sport to a stand still and put the brakes on community and recreational sport and physical activity. During lock-down periods some governments have recognised the value of sport and physical activity to mental and physical health and resilience and despite nation-wide closures of schools, workplaces and indoor venues of all types, daily physical activity has been prioritised as an essential part of life for individuals and families.
One of the underlying premises of our work, using sport as a tool for sustainable development, is the interpersonal component, the learning and sharing of participating together which enables us to harness the convening power of sport to add value with key development messages and education. It is this premise that we celebrate for #SportDay on April 6 and the potential of purposeful sport, physical activity and physical education to help build resilience by participating, sharing, learning and playing together.
The 2021 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace messaging aims to:
- Reaffirm the place of sport in the community recovery from the pandemic and beyond
- Foster equity, solidarity, community and team spirit in response to the pandemic
- Encourage healthy habits through physical activity, building emotional wellbeing and inspire hope through sporting analogies.
We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. What types of physical activity have helped you find strength and power to tackle life’s challenges? What are your goals for building back better, together with your family, friends and colleagues as we start to look beyond COVID-19?
Join us on April 6 to mark the 8th International Day of Sport for Development and Peace and your reflections on your favourite social media channels using the global tags #SportDay and #Only Together!
For further information on #IDSDP2021 visit:
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace | United Nations
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (olympic.org)