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International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
an article by IRD - International Research and Development
Today, April 6 is the first annual International Day
of Sport for Development and Peace as declared by
the United Nations last year.
click on photo to enlarge
Sport can be an important tool in building strong
communities. Sports transcend social, cultural, and
gender differences to unite people of all ages and
empower vulnerable groups.
In many of our programs, International Research
and Development (IRD) uses sport to promote
peaceful dialogue, provide healthy opportunities
for vulnerable youth and bring joy and a sense of
normalcy into the lives of conflict victims and
refugees.
In Kosovo, IRD and partner RD and partner Sport Sans
Frontières are distributing 22,800 One World
Footballs in Kosovo as part of the Football 4 Peace
initiative.
In Iraq under the Community Stabilization Program
(CSP), IRD provided communities with a healthy
environment to engage in dialogue through social and
athletic activities.
In Ukraine, IRD has incorporated sport as a medium
for education and mentorship as part of the
“Reducing the Stigma and Discrimination Associated
with HIV Infection and AIDS” project.
In Jordan, IRD organizes youth sport programs for
residents of Za'atari Refugee Camp.
IRD recognizes the value of sport for development
and peace, and we are always searching for partners
to help us implement community stability and
governance programs through sporting activities.
To partner with IRD or for more information on IRD’s
sports programming, contact advancement@ird-dc.org
and visit www.ird.org/sport.
(Thank you to Janet Hudgins, the CPNN reporter for
this article.)
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
How can sports promote peace?,
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[Editor's note. The following article was sent in to CPNN by Ron Davis, Assistant Coach Cross Country / Track and Field
The Ohio State University. ]
'Lost Boy of Sudan' still running at Northern Arizona
By Bob Baum, AP Sports Writer
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Lopez Lomong was 6 years old when, in the dark of night, he and three older boys crawled through a small hole in a fence and ran barefoot for three days to escape their Sudanese rebel captors.
Sixteen years later, in the pines of Flagstaff with a comfortable life he never imagined, he is running still. . .
Next week, Lomong, a sophomore at Northern Arizona University, will be among the favorites in the 1,500 meters at the NCAA track and field championships in Sacramento, Calif.
"I have to picture myself when I was six years old, running from the death I saw. " he said. "God brought me over here safe and gave me the opportunity and ability to run. . ...more.
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