New York: International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) participated in a United Nations roundtable entitled “The Power of Sport to Prevent Violent Extremism,” in cooperation with the “Global Program on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism,” which is supported by the State of Qatar.
It was led by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), in partnership with the International Centre, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), and the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC).
Several professional athletes, representatives of civil society organisations, international organisations, sports federations, member states, and young leaders participated in the roundtable.
They discussed the role of policies and activities that harness sport to combat violent extremism, promote development in local communities, and highlight the role of athletes and sporting events in achieving these goals.
Participants stressed the importance of sport in promoting resilience against violent extremism and addressing hate speech.
The roundtable comes on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism and within the framework of the ICSS's efforts to employ the values of sports to combat terrorism and violent extremism in the world and to activate the #MoreThanAGame campaign.
The campaign was launched by ICSS in cooperation with its partners in the global programme during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and led by the professional football player and Unesco Ambassador Dr. Nadia Nadim.
Marking the International Day for the Prevention of Violent Extremism as and when Conducive to Terrorism, UNOCT, through the Doha International Centre for Behavioural Insights to Counter Terrorism and the Global Program on Security of Major Sporting Events, and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism, launched an exclusive series of sports podcasts entitled “Pitch power” that shed light on addressing the factors of violent extremism that may lead to terrorism.
Launched in 2020, the Global Program on Security of Major Sporting Events and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism seeks to develop innovative policies and practices to enhance the protection of major sporting events by strengthening international cooperation, public-private partnerships, and sustainable security approaches, while promoting the values of sport as a powerful tool to combat terrorism and prevent violent extremism.
