Livestream: Sport as a Platform to Combat Antisemitism at UNHRC

GENEVA – The power of sport against anti-Semitism and hatred will be the focus of an online event on March 29 entitled “Fighting anti-Semitism in and through sport”, taking place on the sidelines of a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and coinciding with the 75th coincides with the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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The event of the Jewish World Congress also marks the starting signal for their long-standing initiative “Combating Antisemitism in Sport”, which establishes antisemitism as an independent field of action in anti-discrimination work in sport, both at amateur and professional level.

WJC, which actively works with international football clubs, has used sport as an important platform to address racism, discrimination and anti-Semitism throughout society.

On Wednesday, speakers at the United Nations in Geneva will reflect on the history of anti-hate initiatives in sport and discuss the value of partnerships between clubs, leagues, governments and the World Jewish Congress to combat hate in all its forms.

The event is supported by the UN missions of Argentina, Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union and UNESCO.

The new WJC initiative will track activities and centralize existing knowledge, while serving as an advisory body for stakeholders inside and outside of sport, including those in politics, associations, Jewish communities and organizations, and academia. Potential partners are also trained in capacity building and a funding program allows stakeholders to implement their own projects.

Combating Antisemitism in Sport is a collaboration between WJC and WhatMatters, a Germany-based NGO.

Opening speakers:

• Margaritis SchinasVice-President for Promoting Our European Way of Life, European Commission
• Nada Al-NashifDeputy High Commissioner, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
• Theodor TheodoridisSecretary General, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
• Lord John MannAnti-Semitism Advisor, UK Government
• Ana Luiza Thompson-FloresDirector of the Geneva office of UNESCO

Best Practice Speakers:

• Daniel LorcherBorussia Dortmund
• Irini KaripidisAris FC
• Simon TaylorChelsea Foundation
• Stephen BurgerFeyenoord Rotterdam
• dr Andreas KahrsCombating anti-Semitism in sport

The event will be moderated by Leon SaltielDirector of Diplomacy, Representative to the United Nations in Geneva and UNESCO and Coordinator for Combating Anti-Semitism for the World Jewish Congress.