Sport for Development and Peace

April 6 is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. According to the UN, this day is an opportunity to honour the positive role of sport and physical activity in the communities and lives of people around the world. This year, the focus is on sport as a means to promote a peaceful and inclusive society.

The values that sport fosters need to be recognized and celebrated, especially nowadays. In a world in crisis, the UN vision of a better and more peaceful world through sport is even more valuable.

Inspiration, integration, and strength through sport

An inspiring example of the great power of sport is the story of Bertha and Bilkis from Ghana. Sport helped them to believe in and assert themselves and reach a position of leadership in their societies. The two girls met at 18, when they joined a Sports for Development program run by Right To Play. Both come from a community in Accra where traditional gender roles are firmly rooted. Playing soccer with other young women, Bertha and Bilkis learned to believe in their own abilities, to stand up for themselves and to take on leadership roles in the team. After completing the Right To Play program, the two young women continue to draw on the experiences they gained there Bertha, now a teacher, uses the same games with her students that once helped her. Find out more in this video. Bilkis studied business administration. Today, she is looking for opportunities to start her own organization to build more sports infrastructure for girls. Read more about the two young women's impressive development here.

Powerful stories like these show that sport is more than a crowded arena, an ace, a goal, or a buzzer-beater. Our sport-based programs drive confidence, empowerment, equality, and well-being for the long-term.

"THESE VALUES AND NORMS THAT RIGHT TO PLAY HAS INSTILLED IN ME, I THOUGHT IT WISE TO ALSO PASS IT ON TO OTHERS TO HELP THEM IN THEIR LIFE’S JOURNEY." – BERTHA, RIGHT TO PLAY ALUMNA

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