ICSS takes part in UN discussion on sport’s role in preventing extremism
New York: The International Center for Sport Security (ICSS), in collaboration with the Global Program on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values, participated in a United Nations roundtable entitled “The Power of Sport to Prevent Violent Extremism part as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism supported by the State of Qatar.
It was led by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Office (UNOCT) in collaboration with the International Centre, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
Several professional athletes, representatives from civil society organisations, international organisations, sports federations, Member States and young leaders took part in the round table.
They discussed the role of policies and activities that use sport to counter violent extremism, promote local community development and highlight the role of athletes and sporting events in achieving these goals.
Participants stressed the importance of sport in building resilience against violent extremism and countering hate speech.
The roundtable is being held to mark celebrations of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism When and When It Is Conducive to Terrorism and as part of the ICSS’ efforts to leverage the values of sport to counter terrorism and violent extremism worldwide and activate the #MoreThanAGame campaign .
The campaign was launched by ICSS in collaboration with its partners in the global program during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and was co-authored by professional soccer player and Unesco ambassador Dr. Nadia Nadim directed.
Commemorating the International Day for Preventing Violent Extremism as and When Conducive to Terrorism, UNOCT, through the Doha International Center for Behavioral Insights to Counter Terrorism and the Global Program on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism has launched an exclusive series of esports podcasts, Pitch Power, that shed light on how to address the factors in violent extremism that can lead to terrorism.
Launched in 2020, the Global Program on Safety at Major Sport Events and Promoting Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism aims to develop innovative policies and practices to improve the safety of major sporting events by strengthening international public-private Working together to enhance partnerships and sustainable security approaches, while promoting the values of sport as a powerful tool to counter terrorism and prevent violent extremism.