UN DESA’s Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), which houses the substantive mandate on sport for development and peace at the United Nations, is organising a Voluntary National Review (VNR) Lab at the 2021 HLPF entitled “Inclusive Social Development: Youth, Sports and the 2030 Agenda”. The lab will examine progress on how youth involvement in sport can contribute to promoting inclusive sustainable development and peace and provide a platform for Members States, youth, and other national and regional stakeholders, to share their experiences – both successes and challenges – about supporting youth empowerment through sport programmes.
The aims of this lab are to:
- Highlight, promote and reflect on the role of sport as an enabler and driver of sustainable development;
- Provide a platform for Members States, and other national and regional stakeholders, including youth and youth organizations, to share their experiences – both successes and challenges – about supporting youth empowerment through sport programmes;
- Present examples of how youth involvement in sport can contribute to promoting inclusive sustainable development and peace, highlighting strategies and partnerships to effectively build youth’s positive life skills and inclusive social values;
- Highlight examples of barriers faced by Member States in successfully reaching youth in their communities and provide recommendations to overcome these challenges.
View the concept note and programme here
Agenda
Welcoming remarks: Daniela Bas, Director, Division for Inclusive Social Development (UNDESA/DISD)
Moderator: Melissa Martin, UNDESA/DISD
Opening remarks:
- Francesca Spatolisano, UNDESA Assistant Secretary General
- Raouf Mazou, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations (Co- Chair, Inter-Agency Group on Sport for Development and Peace)
- H.E. Isabelle Picco, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Monaco to the United Nations (Co-Chair Group of Friends of Sport for Sustainable Development- NY)
Keynote address: Rose Nathike Lokonyen, Refugee athlete and Olympian
Panel discussion:
- H.E. Tetsuya Kimura, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations
- Hon. Kirsty L. Coventry, Minister for Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Zimbabwe
- Annika Bryson-Emmert Youth athlete