As the world commemorates the United Nations International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), the Youth Charter has issued a global Call to Action urging stronger collaboration among governments, institutions, and civil society to unlock the full potential of sport in achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For over 30 years, the Youth Charter has led the charge in promoting sport as a catalyst for youth empowerment, social cohesion, and community development. On this year’s IDSDP, the organization calls for a decisive shift from policy to action—ensuring sport is not only recognized but fully embedded in national and global development strategies.
“Sport for Development and Peace is more than a slogan—it’s a proven, practical framework to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges: inequality, violence, health, education, and youth unemployment,” said Geoff Thompson, Founder and Chair of the Youth Charter. “Today, we renew our commitment and call on all stakeholders to collaborate in realising the full potential of sport as a force for sustainable development.”
At the heart of this movement is the Youth Charter’s Community Campus model and Social Coach Leadership Programme, which continue to deliver measurable impact at the grassroots level. Through sport, arts, culture, and digital innovation, these initiatives empower young people and communities while contributing to the SDG targets in education, health, gender equality, and more.
The #GlobalCall2Action is addressed to:
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National and Local Governments: Incorporate sport for development in education, health, and social policy frameworks.
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Funding Agencies and Philanthropy: Support scalable, community-based sport initiatives that align with SDG outcomes.
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Civil Society and NGOs: Collaborate on inclusive programs to reach and uplift marginalized populations.
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Youth and Community Leaders: Leverage sport to inspire civic participation and mentor the next generation of change-makers.
As part of the global observance of IDSDP, the Youth Charter reinforces its vision: to leave no one behind by building a more peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable world—one community, one young person, and one game at a time.
For more, visit www.YouthCharter.org.
