Celebrating the International Day of Peace
Today is International Day of Peace, and also the #Morethanfootball Action Day for the same, and it reminds us all of the need to come together and embrace others despite any flaws or disagreements that may exist. Declared in 1981 and celebrated since 1982, the day represents the chance to strengthen ideals of peace around the world. By celebrating this occurrence, the global community seeks to recognise the daily efforts made by those that work to promote peace.
Not only is this day a time to discuss how to promote and maintain long-term peace among all peoples but also a 24-hour period of global ceasefire and non-violence for groups in active conflict. From developing more inclusive societies to providing health accessibility to everyone, building a peaceful world requires common effort.
The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) is running the #Morethanfootball Action Weeks (15.09.2020 – 11.10.2020) to showcase the initiatives implemented by European clubs, leagues and FAs. Participating organisations run a variety of programmes around fostering diversity and inclusion. EFDN, on its part, has two stand-out projects that relate to the Day of Peace objectives – Welcome Through Football and EFDN Youth Exchanges.
The EFDN Youth Exchanges allow clubs to provide the chance for groups of young people from different countries to meet, live together and work on shared projects for short periods. They take place outside the conventional environment of the participants as they take part in activities such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays while working towards shared themes of objectives. Welcome Through Football is a programme whose methodology fosters the social inclusion and employability of young newly arrived immigrants and refugees. The project assists football coaches and youth workers in the development and sharing of effective methods in reaching out to marginalised target groups in preventing racism and intolerance.
The following are suggested ideas for organisations participating in the Action Day for Peace:
- educate your supporters on the value of peace
- highlight (partner) projects that use sports as a tool to promote peace
- engage in acts of kindness and solidarity
- promote social inclusion
- plant commemorative trees
- take part in the UN’s minute of silence, The Silence Wave
- raise awareness of why peace is important for social development
