The Youth Charter (www.YouthCharter.org), a pioneering international charity focused on social justice through sport, art, culture, and digital engagement, has released a compelling global call to action through its Founder and Chair, Geoff Thompson. In a new leadership essay titled “Sport for Development and Peace: A Live Aid of Hope and Opportunity,” Thompson urges the global community to go beyond symbolic gestures and invest meaningfully in the lives of disadvantaged and disaffected youth.

Drawing from more than 30 years of experience in the sport for development movement, Thompson reflects on the legacy of Live Aid and advocates for a globally coordinated effort that transforms sporting success into lasting social impact through leadership, funding, and community engagement.

“We must go from taking a knee to taking a stand,” writes Thompson. “There has never been a greater time for the Sport for Development and Peace movement to declare itself as champions of hope and opportunity.”

Grassroots voices call for real change

The essay is accompanied by “Word From The Streets,” a featured series on the Youth Charter website that amplifies young voices from cities like Manchester, Johannesburg, and London. These youth share firsthand accounts of how sport and art have shaped their lives, providing hope and direction in the face of hardship. Their stories reinforce the power of localized community engagement and the urgent necessity of aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A defining moment for sport and leadership

Thompson outlines several key messages in his essay:

• The Youth Charter is calling for a Global Sport for Development and Peace Fund that is transparently managed and focused on measurable impact.

• The movement must be spearheaded by authentic leaders and institutions rooted in grassroots work, not just conference discussions.

• Young people must be empowered as leaders, not merely recipients, in transforming systems of inequality.

Thompson underscores the urgency of action:

“We are facing a humanitarian emergency—not just in Gaza and Sudan—but in the streets of our own cities. This is a defining moment for sport. Will we use it to inspire, or will we remain part of the performance? Now is the time for action, not optics.”

The Youth Charter’s powerful message challenges policymakers, philanthropists, and global sports institutions to unite for a common cause—empowering youth and restoring hope through the transformative force of sport.