Statement by Mr Peter Stone, Adviser, Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations General Assembly under Item 11 Sport for Development and Peace on 18 October 2010.
(as delivered)
Mr President,
Australia is committed to the principles of sport for development and peace and to the role the United Nations can play in furthering these principles. We welcome the report of the Secretary-General on this subject introduced this morning and would like to take this opportunity to thank the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr Willie Lemke for his efforts.
We would like to thank Tunisia and Monaco for introducing the resolution before us today. Australia is pleased to co-sponsor this resolution.
We would also like to thank Switzerland, and in particular Ambassador Peter Maurer for his role as co-chair, along with Ambassador Jomaa of Tunisia, of the Group of Friends over recent years. We appreciate Monaco taking over the co-chairmanship of the Group and look forward to working with Ambassador Picco and Ambassador Jomaa to strengthen the role of the roup of Friends.
Mr President,
A growing body of sport for development research provides strong empirical evidence of the direct role sport plays, as a component of international development programs, in advancing human rights, social inclusion and community development. Apart from physical fitness and good health, sport contributes to the development of other life skills and attributes, including confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, cooperation, social interaction, interpersonal communication, tolerance and conflict resolution. Sport offers a way to improve the lives of the most marginalised and excluded children, including girls, children from poor communities, out-of-school and working children, and people with disability.
Because of this, sport remains an integral tool in Australia’s development cooperation. Through the Australian Sports Outreach Program, funding is provided in over 40 countries for sport for development programs at the grassroots level. Working with local authorities and communities, Australia is able to increase the capacity of partners to plan and conduct quality sport-based activities that contribute to addressing locally identified development priorities.
In 2010, sport for development programs include:
- A childrens surf life saving education program in Vietnam;
- Increasing services to persons with disabilities through sport in Malawi;
- The establishment of youth clubs in post conflict areas of Sri Lanka;
- Kicking AIDS Out – using sports analogies and games to convey messages about HIV/AIDS to young people in the Caribbean; and,
- Training players, coaches and administrators to promote active sports participation amongst rural women in Fiji.
Sport in Australia has always helped build the social cohesion that binds families, communities, regions and the nation. It brings together people of different nationalities, religions and cultures and helps promote tolerance and understanding.
Thank you Mr President.