09 March 2008

Dead Sea, Jordan: Volunteerism is a vital component of successful amateur sports and both expand opportunities for women and girls, UNV Deputy Executive Coordinator Ms Joyce Yu told the 4th International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Conference on Women and Sport.

In a plenary speech to the IOC conference on 9 March, Ms Yu noted that volunteerism and sport both support the positive development of society, and provide important opportunities for women’s empowerment.

“Sports represent an opportunity to include and empower women and girls, which is essential for political, social and economic development,” Ms Yu said. “Wide access to sports, especially for girls, is critical to the vitality and productivity of every society. Without volunteers organizing sports events and nurturing and supporting the athletes, no amateur sports endeavour could succeed.”

Communities and nations are recognizing that when they invest in sport, they are contributing to health, education, employment and moral development, Ms Yu said. She noted that volunteerism is essential to the efficient functioning and impact of amateur sports. “Sport is a means to teach values and skills of fair play, teamwork, discipline, resilience and, in the Olympic spirit, national pride. These values parallel those needed for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and the broader peace and development agenda of the United Nations,” she said.

“In order to bring more women into all levels of the sports world, we need a level playing field. We need volunteerism to be supported, nurtured and recognized worldwide.”

UNV actively supports sports-based development programmes, ranging from football coaching in post-conflict Timor-Leste, to training volunteers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, in order to support national development objectives and advance the UN’s peace and development agenda. UNV, in partnership with other UN organisations, has been using sports as a way to build trust and confidence across conflict groups in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Burundi, Bosnia and many more.

UNV volunteers are active in sports programmes that are helping to restore post-conflict societies and engage youth and other marginalised sectors in society and in development activities. In Haiti, UNV works with UNICEF and the International Olympic Committee to provide inclusive opportunities for youth vulnerable to exploitation, violence and abuse. With the help of sports including football, volleyball, basketball and judo, hundred of boys and girls were able to enjoy a more balanced community life.

The concept of “sports for all” is a powerful objective for helping to achieve the greater inclusion of people in society and the promotion of good health. But without volunteers organizing sports events and nurturing and supporting the athletes, no amateur sports endeavour could succeed.

A call for sports for all is possible through volunteerism for all. By encouraging volunteerism, sports can be both empowering and inclusive, we can all contribute to social cohesion, peace and effective development.

To read the full speech click here.