In recognition of the positive contribution that sport can have on the realisation of sustainable development and on the advancement of human rights, 6 April was proclaimed the ‘International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP)’ by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in its resolution 67/296 back in August 2013 and it has grown ever since.

The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is held every year on 6 April, is a chance for everyone to “recognise the positive role sport and physical activity play in communities and in people’s lives across the globe”, according to the official UN website.

In 2014, the independent worldwide organisation Peace and Sport created the #WhiteCard – referring to the yellow and red cards in sports – as a symbol to represent “the positive power of sport for peace and social inclusion.”

This year’s #WhiteCard campaign comes with the core message “Sport is an answer” as Peace and Sport seek to “demonstrate that sport can be an answer to social issues and that it can bring to the construction of a culture of peace” by presenting concrete examples of personal stories or peace-through-sport programmes.  

To find out how to participate in the #WhiteCard campaign, visit www.April6.org. 
 

The UN theme for Wednesday 6 April 2022 relates to a crucial issue that has been thoroughly debated and became more and more important in the past decades – climate change. The need for action is growing more urgent every day, and, according to the UN, “the relationship between sport and climate must be better understood and ways of developing policies and taking concrete action to help reverse the impact of climate change through sport must be communicated to as wide an audience as possible.” 

Therefore, the global theme “Securing a Sustainable and Peaceful Future for All: The Contribution of Sport” has been born, as sport is in a perfect position to contribute towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals due to its vast, unparalleled popularity.

“Sport has the power to align our passion, energy and enthusiasm around a collective cause. And that is precisely when hope can be nurtured and trust can be regained. It is in our collective interest to harness the tremendous power of sport to help build a better and more sustainable future for all,” states UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.