The Peace and Sport Regional Forum entitled “Societies in Motion: Rising up through Sport”, co-organized by Peace and Sport and the Region of the South Aegean, will take place on the historic island of Rhodes on October 18, 2018. To mark this unique occasion, 350 major decision-makers from across the Mediterranean region will identify regional challenges and build synergies to maximise the use of sport for positive change.
Following the success of the 10th Peace and Sport International Forum in 2017, Peace and Sport decided to organise a biennial regional forum to highlight local peace-through-sport initiatives and promote long-term partnerships. Every two years, this new format will bring together regional Head of States, Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, sports governing bodies, high-level athletes, international organisations, NGOs and academics.
Peace and Sport’s President and Founder, Joël Bouzou said: “Currently there are a great number of peace-through-sport initiatives and some remarkable actions taking place in the Mediterranean region. As a result, we are delighted to work together with the Region of the South Aegean to gather key leaders to discuss how to tackle social challenges through sport”.
In the symbolic venue of Greece – the cradle of the Olympics and a pivotal crossroads between three continents, the Peace and Sport Regional Forum will focus on success factors in the use of sport as platform to create inclusive communities, networks and regional cooperation. The main topic on the agenda will be ‘cities as a hub of innovation and social inclusion through sport’. A decision-making Roundtable with a panel of regional policy-makers will help to advance domestic and international development and peace objectives utilising sport.
A vibrant networking area will facilitate new synergies and partnerships between local stakeholders. Furthermore, Peace and Sport will present awards to three international and four regional organisations and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to peace, dialogue and social change in the world through sport.
Peace and Sport is an international, neutral and independent organisation based in Monaco that contributes to peace using the power of sport. Founded in 2007 by Modern Pentathlon Olympic Medallist and World Champion Joël Bouzou, Peace and Sport operates under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. The organisation can count on a group of over 100 high level sportsmen personally committed to the peace through sport movement, the “Champions for Peace”. They dedicate their time, their fame, and their athletic experience to serve projects which use sport to tackle social issues.