Save the Dream, UNAOC sign agreement to empower youth through sport

With the aim of encouraging more organisations to empower young people and intercultural dialogue through the values of sport, the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and Save the Dream have signed a new agreement at the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Following the Save the Dream session at the 7th Global Forum titled Sports for Peace, Sustainable and Inclusive Development, the new agreement will see the two organisations work together to develop joint projects - including education workshops, youth seminars and sport programmes - to help empower young people through the values of sport, promote inter-cultural dialogue and encourage better social inclusion and cohesion within society.
The signing is major boost for Save the Dream and follows on from an inspirational panel session this week, which saw several sporting champions share their experiences about how sport has changed their lives and what role it has played for them in promoting peace, breaking down barriers and encouraging inter-cultural dialogue between people and communities.
Aligned with the conference theme ‘Living Together in Inclusive Societies: A Challenge and Goal’, speakers, panellists included retired French footballer Christian Karembeu, Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) secretary general Elkan Mammadov, Ecuadorian peace and sport activist Nelsa Curbelo, Save the Dream ambassador and co-founder and first captain of the Palestinian women’s national football team Honey Thaljieh, and Syrian refugee and football coach Osama Abdul Mohsen.
HE Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations, said: “We recognize that sports convey values such as discipline, sacrifice, solidarity, courage and ethics. They are more important than ever, particularly in the resolution of significant global issues. In joining forces with Save the Dream, sports will be further emphasised as a crucial mean to facilitate the peace and inclusion of societies.”
International Centre for Sport Security president and Save the Dream founder Mohamed Hanzab said: “Sport has a unique ability to break down barriers and misunderstandings between people and communities. It promotes peace and unites and inspires many people – young and old - around the world.
“We are delighted to be working with UNAOC on such an important cause and would like to thank them for joining forces with Save the Dream and adding their internationally-recognised knowledge and expertise. With their support, we are determined to continue reaching out to more young people around the world through the power of sport and promoting inter-cultural dialogue between people and communities.”
Save the Dream executive director Massimiliano Montanari concluded, “Sport brings together people from different social and cultural backgrounds, from grassroots right up to the elite level. Through the power of its values and its ability to break down social barriers and promote inter-cultural dialogue, it is the perfect tool to facilitate social inclusion amongst youth.
“Our partnership with UNAOC will further enhance Save the Dream’s growing global network, as well as furthering its ability to achieve our objective to promote peace and inspiring and empowering young people through the values of sport.”