The contribution of sport in ending human trafficking

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is celebrated annually on April 6th. It is a celebration of the power of sport to drive social change, community development, and to encourage peace, respect and understanding. Mission 89’s theme this year is to highlight the contribution of sport to the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goal 8, which promotes sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. Specifically, SDG Target 8.7 calls for all nations to “take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour” (UNICEF USA, 2016).

Sport can play an active role in supporting the objective SDG Target 8.7 through:

• Partnerships: establishing relationships with anti-trafficking stakeholders in the community i.e., child protection agencies and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs), law enforcement, policy actors, researchers etc.
• Education: mandatory child safeguarding and anti-trafficking training of sport officials that work with young people, AND a comprehensive educational programme for athletes to prepare them for life in and outside of sport.
• Awareness: utilising the voice and influence of successful athletes and sport personalities to raise awareness of the risks of trafficking but also to inform on the legitimate way to a professional career in sport.

Speakers include: 

• Emmanuel Emery, Lawyer – Sports Agent, Step Consulting
• Julia Govinden, CEO, UnitedThroughSports
• Dr. İlknur Hacısoftaoğlu, Faculty Member, Sport Management Department, Istanbul Bilgi University
• Gordon Miller, Cyclist, Human Rights Advocate, Guinness Book of World Record Holder
• Representative, IOM – Egypt (TBC)

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