International Day of Sport for Development and Peace

April 6^th every year is International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in order to recognize the power of sport in promoting peace and removing cultural barriers across the globe.

Origin

Sports can change the world; which is also a fundamental right and a powerful tool for enhancing social relations and pushing sustainable and peaceful development as well as solidarity and respect.

1978 – Sports was recognized as "fundamental right for all" by UNESCO.

2013 – April 6^th is declared by the United Nations General Assembly (UN) as the International Sports Day for Development and Peace and has been celebrated annually since 2014.

The adoption of this day represents the growing United Nations recognition of the positive influence sport can have on the advancement of human rights as well as economic and social development.

The IOC and the UN have made a long-term commitment to consider sport as a tool for social development and have worked on many projects together over the years. Both organizations have used sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, to connect cultural understanding and improve education, health, economic and social development.

On August 23th 2013, the United Nations official informed that April 6^th every year is chosen as the International Day of Sports for Peace and Development, which also is the first time of Olympic Games in Athens in 1896.

How to celebrate this day

The International Day of Sport for Peace and Development help to the contribution of changing the healthy lifestyles and highlighting the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) which focus on giving as many people as possible access to sport. This is the day when some of the world's top athletes work together with communities to provide sporting opportunities to enrich lives, especially for children.