Promoting human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal

Join the 47th session of the Human Rights Council on the potential of leveraging sport and the Olympic ideal for promoting human rights for young people.

When: 7 July, 10am - 12pm CEST

Where: Palais des Nations, Geneva, and Zoom (will be webcasted and archived on http://webtv.un.org)

Since their inception in 776 BCE, the concept of the Olympic Games has been to promote peace, given that thanks to the Olympic Truce conflicts were suspended for the duration of the Games in Olympia. In the same vein, sport and the Olympic ideal can be an invaluable tool for the promotion of human rights, development, conciliation and dialogue, and in particular for young people who are involved in practicing sports. Sport education and the values that sports carry with them are of paramount importance to this aim and this suggests that sport and the Olympic ideal can have an increased leveraging potential for promoting human rights for young people.

The panel discussion will offer an opportunity to identify good practices, challenges and opportunities in that respect, with a focus on:

The role of sport in promoting human rights for young people, its impact and how it can be optimized
How sport can further the rights of young people in society, becoming an instrument of empowerment
How major sporting events can be a welcoming environment in order to promote awareness and a better understanding of human rights both by and for young people without any form of discrimination
Suggestions, good practices and practical examples of how to leverage sport and the Olympic ideal for the promotion of human rights for young people

Chair: H.E. Ms. Monique T.G. Van Daalen, Vice-President of the Human Rights Council

Opening statements:

Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
Mr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (video message)
Mr. Toshiro Muto, Director General of Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee (video message)

Panellists:

Ms. Elizaveta Kunstmann, European Champion (2013, 2017 and 2019) and World Champion (2018) in sitting volleyball (video message)
Ms. Kathrine Switzer, Athlete and social advocate (video message)
Ms. Jenny Oklikah, Chief Executive of the NGO “Fight for Peace” (video message)
Ms. Sofia Bekatorou, Olympic gold and bronze medallist in sailing (2004 & 2008 Summer Olympic Games) (video message)