Power of sport to counter violent extremism amplified at UN

“Sport has the power to do that transmit fundamental values ​​such as respect, inclusion and solidarity,” said Mauro Miedico, deputy director and head of the department for special projects and innovation at the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT). “When used alongside broader violent extremism (PVE) prevention strategies, it is can act against the drivers of radicalization leading to violent extremism.”

Round table speakers demonstrated the power of sport to overcome the devastating effects of war, displacement and strife on millions at a time when such terrorist groups as ISIL (or Dae’sh), Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram are still spreading messages of religious, cultural and social intolerance.

The international day, commemorated by a resolution of the General Assembly on February 12, and the importance of raising youth awareness shaped the round table discussion.

Isabella Echeverri, Colombian soccer player and ambassador for the Save the Dream movement, said athletes are role models on and off the pitch.

“In sport, it’s important to respect your opponents, be loyal to your team, show integrity in dealing with a difficult loss, and have courage and humility in winning a game,” she said. “When we step off the field, we can use our platforms to inspire and helping young people, for example, show respect, love their bodies, be kind to other people, be aware of mental health issues, eat better and exercise.”

Podcast highlights progress

The new UNOCT Power of the Pitch podcast is a seven-part series exploring how behavioral insights are applied to sport when addressing violent extremism factors that can swell the ranks of terrorist groups.

Episode Highlight Progress on the ground in discussions with athletes, experts and local stakeholdersas well as the work of United Nations Global Sport and Safety Program, launched in 2020, focused on the safety of major sporting events and the promotion of sport and its values ​​as a tool to prevent violent extremism.

The podcast shows that sports clubs on battlefields, in deserts and in conflict zones open safe spaces for young people to play and learn.

New digital strategy required

On the pitch, it looks like communities are coming together to build resilience. Jessica Hutting, program manager at Kampus Diakoneia Modern Foundation in Indonesia, said kicking a ball across a field or shooting it into a basket offers young people an opportunity to mingle and overcome differences.

“Sport can be a connecting medium,” she said. “People may speak many different languages, but Sport can be a connecting language that melts those differences.”

As the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions meant young people became more and more attached to cellphones and gadgets, she emphasized a Need for a new strategy to reach them on digital platforms And encourage them to be more active into sports.

Peacebuilding on the Square

Masereka Wilber of the Integrated Community Development Initiative explained that he faced stress and mental disorders after the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had made him hate people. But football changed that and taught him teamwork and tolerance.

“You play as a team on the pitch,” he said. A UN grant is funding efforts to reach more youth like him, he said, adding that new efforts are being made to educate refugee communities.

Afghan women play ball

Khalida Popal, former captain and founder of the Afghan women’s soccer team, explained how difficult it is being a refugee yourself, from prejudice to exclusion.

“As a refugeewhat I’ve heard is that ‘refugees are coming to take our money,'” she said. “I don’t want money; I want to make an equal contribution to society.”

To showcase good examples of minorities, including refugees, making a positive impact, she founded the Girl Power Organization as a bridge from Europe to the Middle East to provide opportunities for women and girls to connect and empower through sport and education grow.

As the first woman to win the European Football Association’s (UEFA) Equal Game Award, she said sport has helped her find confidence a voice for the voiceless. Having grown up in a male-dominated war zone, she said sport can create a safe space among women to discuss some of these challenges.

“Football has always been a powerful tool,” she said. “We’re trying to use sport as a tool to bring people together to raise awareness.”

promote unity

On soccer fields around the world, local groups are running a range of other innovative projects with grants from the Global UN programwhich deals with youth to ensure policy makers consider their unique skills and perspectives and with the Member States Provide technical assistance to integrate these initiatives into national strategies to prevent violent extremism.

“We are trying to promote unity,” said Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, executive chairman of the thirteenth African Games, to be held in Ghana in August. Great sporting competitions like the African games can be a platform to send messages of peacewhich is another way to motivate young people.

“Sport is one of the best tools we can use‘ he said, reflecting on current conflicts across Africa. “Why? Because it brings everyone together.”

Sport promotes peace

said Bram Van Haver on behalf of the UNAOC High Representative Sport transcends borders, is “a key tool” for preventing violent extremism, and has the potential to break down walls between people. It can also have a positive impact through diversity, he added.

UNICRI’s Leif Villadsen said building resilience is crucial, especially for young people who are marginalized and vulnerable.

“By supporting sport and preventing violent extremism, we can do that help young people reach their full potential‘ he said, emphasizing that more analysis is needed to prevent violent extremism to assess the role played by sport.

UN a “valuable ally”

Massimiliano Montanari, chief executive of Save the Dream, said sport can build fairer and more inclusive societies. emphasis Projects to promote reconciliation in Somalia, Sudan and other countries, he said the UN program is a “valuable ally” for activists aiming for it Building societies where violent extremism cannot prevail.

“By experiencing friendship through sport when children play together, it’s a celebration of International Day, every day,” he said.

That is the goal, many speakers at the roundtable discussion agreed.