The upcoming Peace and Sport International Forum in Monaco will explore how sport can drive unity, inclusion and peacebuilding efforts at both a local and international level by empowering individuals and promoting community values.
The 2024 Peace and Sport International Forum is set to take place at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, in the presence of numerous sporting personalities from around the world, on 2nd and 3rd December.
The event will focus on the role of sport in promoting peace during a year marked by global conflict and Olympic celebrations. Themed ‘Speak Your Peace’, the forum aims to address how sport can foster unity, empower marginalised groups and build stronger communities.
It will begin with a welcoming cocktail and President’s Dinner, hosted by the founder and president of Peace and Sport, as well as former French Olympian, Joël Bouzou, at the hotel on the evening of 2nd December.
The following day will feature a series of sessions and panels led by prominent figures in the fields of sport and international diplomacy, with discussions focusing on the use of sport as a tool to promote education, inclusion and equality.
Experts and athletes, including Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, an Olympic gold medallist in high jump and Champion for Peace, Didier Drogba, the Vice President of Peace and Sport and a former professional footballer, and Masomah Ali Zada, a Refugee Olympic Team cyclist and Champion for Peace, will share their insights on sport’s potential to address societal challenges.
Other sporting names set to contribute include Canadian runner Charmaine Crooks, France’s taekwondo Olympic medallist Marlène Nidecker and England’s marathon runner Paula Radcliffe. The Tour de France’s director, Christian Prudhomme, will lead a session on the specific role of cycling.
One of the initiatives to be showcased during the forum is the newly announced four-year partnership between the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body for world cycling, and Peace and Sport. This collaboration aims to promote inclusion and peace through cycling. A pilot project in Rwanda, the host of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, will train coaches and provide cycling sessions to refugees, fostering unity and offering an accessible mode of transportation.
“This partnership reflects our shared belief in sport’s unique ability to bridge divides,” said Bouzou of the new initiative.
UCI President David Lappartient has described the project as “a significant step forward in ensuring global access to cycling and its values of unity, respect, inclusion, and diversity.”
The schedule also features sessions on investment in sport-for-peace programmes and the role of athletes in mentoring and leadership. Field projects from Togo, where football is being used to teach teamwork and conflict resolution to young people in disadvantaged areas, and India, where cricket programmes are helping young girls build confidence and challenge traditional gender roles, will be highlighted to demonstrate practical applications of these ideas.
Another highlight on the agenda is the Peace Walk, which will start at the Prince’s Palace at 6pm on 3rd December.
The event will conclude with the Peace and Sport Awards Ceremony at the Oceanographic Museum. The awards will recognise individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to peace-building efforts through sport.
Since its inception, the Peace and Sport International Forum has brought together over 5,000 delegates from 115 countries, establishing itself as a key platform for discussions on the role of sport in peacebuilding. This year’s event continues to build on that legacy, exploring how sport can help address global divisions and foster understanding across communities.
For the full programme, click here.
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Photo source: Peace and Sport Awards 2023