21 April 2009

Bonn, Germany: Volunteerism plays an important role in enabling and promoting sports activities, which has long-term benefits for peace and development, says Wilfried Lemke, the Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace.

Speaking during a visit to UNV headquarters in Germany, Mr. Lemke cited the contribution of volunteers to the success of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. “What people remember from Beijing is the smiles of the volunteers,” he said. “Hundreds of thousands of Chinese people volunteered to help with the Olympic Games and to assist visitors. Their friendly support was essential to the efficient operation of the events.”

Mr. Lemke also noted that most sports activities and major events benefited greatly from volunteerism. “Amateur sport is largely reliant on volunteers. Amateur athletes are themselves volunteers, as are their coaches, organizers and supporters.”

During the visit, UNV staff explained to the Special Adviser how the project 'Strengthening Volunteerism Through the Beijing Olympic Games' had built relationships with Chinese partner organizations and is expected to leave a long-term legacy of volunteerism for development in China. Mr. Lemke noted that UNV’s experience with the Beijing Olympics may be helpful to the organizers of other sports events.

UNV staff and Mr Lemke also discussed current UNV initiatives with a sports aspect, such as the Human Security Programme in Honduras, and potential future initiatives.

A former manager of football team Werder Bremen in his native Germany, Wilfried Lemke was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace in March 2008.

The Special Adviser leads and coordinates UN efforts to promote understanding and support for sport as an instrument for development and peace, and encourages dialogue, cooperation and partnerships in this area.

The UN as a whole recognizes that sport can make an important contribution to public health, universal education, gender equality, poverty reduction, prevention of HIV and AIDS and other diseases, environmental sustainability, peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

UNV volunteers are involved in a range of sports activities as part of their efforts to promote community cohesion in support of peace and development. Community volunteers who are active in sports activities can also be active in other areas contributing to peace and development, Ms. Pansieri noted.