Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Peace and Sport have announced a partnership to promote development, education, cohesion and peace in the Middle East.
The partnership was formalised following an agreement that was signed on behalf of DSC by deputy chairman Mattar Al Tayer and Peace and Sport (Peace and Sport, l’Organisation pour la Paix par le Sport) founder Joël Bouzou.
The alliance aims to put in place actions to reconcile communities through sport, encourage dialogue, exchange ideas and help societies reconstruct peaceful foundations.
Among the first activities to be undertaken will be the Peace and Sport Middle East
together decision-makers from sport, private sector and civil society. The forum will be expected to define actions and long-term programmes to make sport a pillar for youth education, inter-community dialogue and social unity, in the Middle East as well as worldwide.
This launch event in Dubai will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and chairman of the DSC, where over 200 key figures are expected to take part in the three-day forum.
Al Tayer said: “It’s a first step in the policy of the Emirate of Dubai to promote human development, to fight poverty, to spread knowledge, empower young people and give them the means to become self-reliant, promote communication and tolerance between cultures.
“Through the alliance with Peace and Sport, the Dubai Sports Council gives new ambition for its commitment to support the ideals and the values of peace brought by the sport movement,” he added.
Bouzou said: “In just a few years, Dubai has succeeded in making sport a vehicle for its international reputation. Now, another major step has been taken.
“We share the same belief as the DSC, that sport is not limited to performance and competition. Sport is, above all, about tolerance, respect, and communication.
“Sport is, above all, about tolerance, respect, and communication.”
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