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

As proven time and time again, sport has the huge power to change the world, creating memories and becoming, over the years, a powerful tool to strengthen social ties, sustainable development and peace, as well as solidarity and respect for all.

The United Nations has long recognised the power and universality of sport, using it to unite individuals and groups through supporting sport for development efforts, participating in events from the global to the grassroots level, and developing its sports-related campaigns and initiatives.

The UN theme for Thursday 6 April 2023 refers to “Scoring for People and the Planet”, broadly focusing on the impact and the influence of sport to create a change in the world and achieve sustainable development and peace.

With plenty on the agenda, sport can empower women and girls, young people, persons with disabilities, and other marginalised groups to advance health, sustainability, and education objectives. It can also serve as a vehicle to promote climate action, gender equality, and the fight against racism and hate speech.

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 celebrates 10 years. It returns with a broad agenda focusing on gender equity, intercultural and interreligious understanding, peace education, social inclusion, reconciliation and co-existence and youth empowerment.  

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