500 Days to Dakar 2026: A global Call 2 Action for youth, sport and peace

by Prof. Geoff Thompson MBE FRSA DL QP JM

A historic celebration of youth, sport, and African identity, these Games, the first ever to be held on African soil, come at a time of significant global and continental transition. Yesterday, Kirsty Coventry became the first female and African President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), succeeding Thomas Bach. This moment is not just symbolic—it is transformative.

As the world looks to Senegal, the Youth Charter issues a Global Call 2 Action. We believe now is the time to re-set, reposition, and represent a legacy of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) that leaves a lasting impact not just on the athletes, but on the communities from which they come and to which they will return.

A legacy born of loss, built on hope

The Youth Charter was born out of tragedy—following the death of Benji Stanley in Manchester in 1993—but has grown into a global movement for social justice through sport, art, culture and digital engagement. For over 30 years, we have worked to empower young people and communities, not only to survive adversity, but to thrive with dignity and purpose.

As Africa prepares to host the world’s youth, our commitment remains unchanged: to ensure that every young person, regardless of their background, has access to a safe space, a voice, and a pathway to a better future.

The Community Campus: A model for sustainable development

At the heart of the Youth Charter’s mission is the Community Campus—a place-based, people-centred model that brings together education, sport, culture, enterprise, and health into one ecosystem. These campuses are:

• Safe zones for youth development and violence prevention,
• Hubs for training Social Coaches, local leaders equipped with lived experience and accredited skills,
• Platforms for sustainable legacy in line with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, and the IOC’s Olympism 365 strategy.

As the Dakar Games approach, the Youth Charter proposes a pan-African network of Community Campuses, co-created with local partners and institutions. These will serve not only the athletes of today, but the leaders of tomorrow.

A Global Call 2 Action: Dakar 2026 and beyond

The Youth Charter’s Global Call 2 Action urges:

1. Governments and local authorities to invest in youth-led, community-rooted development through sport.
2. The IOC and Olympic Movement to ensure the legacy of Dakar 2026 is not just medals, but meaningful change on the ground.
3. Youth and civil society to take ownership of this moment—to step forward, speak out, and shape their future.
4. Private sector and philanthropy to align their investment with lasting social impact—not short-term visibility.

We call on Kirsty Coventry, as a daughter of the continent and an Olympic champion, to lead this new era with courage and conviction. Her presidency must be the springboard for a renewed global movement—where sport is not only for performance, but for peace, progress, and purpose.

Conclusion: From Dakar to the world

As the countdown to Dakar 2026 begins, let us recognise this as more than a sporting milestone. It is a continental reset. A global opportunity. A generational responsibility.

The Youth Charter stands ready—alongside young people, partners and practitioners across Africa and the world—to co-create a Dakar Legacy of Action. With 500 days to go, we invite the world to join us. The time is now. The place is Africa. The power is youth.