By Will Shand, Geneva – Switzerland, Nov 6, 2013: The International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) today signed a partnership with UNICEF in Brazil. Recognising that hosting mega sport events may pose risks to children, UNICEF and the ICSS will collaborate to promote integrity, child protection, safety and security in sport. They will engage in activities to promote sport integrity values and safeguard children from illicit activities. It will leverage the ICSS’s technical experience and expertise in promoting sport integrity to young people through the ‘Save the Dream’ initiative and UNICEF´s comprehensive programme of activity in Brazil and its technical expertise in child protection.
The three-year programme will begin with a special field visit to Brazil.
Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “At the ICSS, we believe that early awareness and education is crucial and through this partnership with UNICEF in Brazil and via the ‘Save The Dream’ initiative, we will be supporting a range of activities. These will include seminars and educational tools to protect young people and teach them about integrity in sport, as well as helping them understand the benefits of positive values like fair play, respect, loyalty and team spirit. Only when sport is clean and has these values at its heart can it fully contribute to peace and development around the world.”
Gary Stahl, representative to UNICEF in Brazil said: “There are significant risks to children around major sporting events such as child labour and increased violence. This agreement with the ICSS is an important step for creating a safe and protective environment for Brazilian girls and boys.
“UNICEF urges all stakeholders of the mega events to team up to protect and build a lasting and positive legacy to children and adolescents in Brazil.”
The partnership was signed at a special United Nations hosted forum “Sport Integrity – a right for youth” attended by leaders from the world of sport, government, international development and child protection. Organised by the Permanent Missions of Italy and Qatar, in partnership with the ICSS and Lega Pro, the forum explored corruption in sport and its growing and dangerous impact on young people.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in more than 190 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. In Brazil, UNICEF has been carrying out innovative and impactful initiatives with governments, civil society and the private sector in areas where challenges are most critical: in the country’s Semi-arid region, in the Amazon region and in the poorest urban centres. These initiatives have shown that it is possible to join efforts to reduce inequities that affect the lives of thousands of girls and boys in these geographical areas. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
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