The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace: A flashback to previous years

As 6 April approaches, here are some of the highlights from the first four years.

6 April is fast approaching. This year marks the fifth International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP). In previous years, organisations from around the world celebrated creatively and enthusiastically. Here is a look at some of the highlights.

2017

Last year, Peace and Sport’s #WhiteCard campaign reached a new high. St. Lawrence High School, in Kolkata, India, broke a new record. More than 2000 students, teachers, staff and alumni held white cards simultaneously, to become the biggest #WhiteCard demonstration so far.

Watch a video of the event

2016

The International Table Tennis Federation deserves a special mention due to the number of events it holds every year. In 2018, for example, the federation will hold 77 events across the globe. The IDSDP also coincides with World Table Tennis Day. In 2016, the federation's mission was to promote table tennis as a “POPULAR, UNIVERSAL & INCLUSIVE sport”. The events take place every year, and each year more people join the fun.

2015

As the second annual IDSDP approached, the idea was still new but had so much motivation behind it. Throughout the month of April, a poster competition took place, and children from around the world were encouraged to participate by creating a poster with themes such as justice, power of sport and peace.

We have chosen to highlight 2015 but there were also poster competitions in 2014, 2016 and 2017. Each year, there were dozens of entries showcasing what sport means to youth around the world. The poster competition will take place again in 2018 so watch this space!

Visit the SmugMug website to see the posters

2014

2014 marked the first ever IDSDP. The day was chosen as it marked the first day of the modern Olympic Games, in Athens in 1894. The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) put together five key messages for the first IDSDP, which were also showcased using photographs.

The power of sport to advance gender equality
The power of sport to improve physical and mental health
The power of sport to include everyone regardless of abilities
The power of sport to respect and promote dialogue
The power of sport to enhance life skills of children and youth

So, what you are doing this year on 6 April? Share your plans with us and be part of a global movement celebrating sport for development and peace.