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| International Congress on Sport for Peace and Development |
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| The International Congress on Sport for Peace and Development was organized by UNESCO and the Jamaican Government in Kingston, Jamaica, from 13 to 16 September 2008. One of its main purposes was to encourage Member States of the Caribbean Community to integrate physical education and sport into their policies, and to enhance their collaboration in this field. |
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News 5 of 21
 The International Congress aimed at evaluating the potential achievements of an integrated governmental approach to sport for peace and development. The Congress presented an excellent opportunity to develop a comprehensive framework for Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to integrate sport into their policies and programmes across a range of sectors.
The congress provided a platform on which to debate the gaps in current sport policy. It reaffirmed that physical education is an essential component of quality education as it contributes to both the mental and physical development of children. It featured two round tables focussing on the social, economic, educational, cultural, environmental and political dimensions of sport.
During the Congress, UNESCO provided expert guidance, reiterating that the vision must be set according to national capacity and policies for development. The importance of traditional sports and games was stressed, encouraging increased Member State collaboration, with the help of UNESCO, to highlight the link between sport and culture.
UNESCO also agreed to continue the work it has already initiated on the development of quality indicators for physical education, and to expand its work, in collaboration with other agencies, on the impact of sport and education on health.
In addition, UNESCO was requested, with the support of the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS), to take the lead in ensuring the appropriate follow-up of sports related conferences. It was also proposed that a regional forum should be established to facilitate a permanent dialogue and dissemination of information on pertinent issues. The former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Edward Seaga, also proposed that UNESCO facilitate a meeting with donors and relevant agencies to explore the development of an international fund for peace and development.
The initiatives discussed during the conference will help States, both regionally and internationally, to build social cohesion:- through the development of facilities;
- the training of qualified personnel;
- the promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and;
- the establishment of sports programmes suitable for social and economic development.
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