In April 2008, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed Wilfried Lemke, of Germany, as his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace. In this role, the Special Adviser aims to reach out further to the world of sport and more systematically and coherently encourage the use of sport as a means to promote development and peace. Mr. Lemke succeeded Adolf Ogi, former President of the Swiss Confederation, who had served as Special Adviser since 2001.
The mandate of the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace is threefold:
| ADVOCATE | Lead and coordinate the efforts of the United Nations system to promote understanding and support amongst UN Member States and other actors for sport as a tool to attain humanitarian, development and peace-building objectives. A special focus is placed on sport’s contribution to poverty reduction; universal education; gender equality; prevention of HIV and AIDS and other diseases; environmental sustainability; inclusion of persons living with disabilities as well as peace promotion and conflict resolution. |
| FACILITATOR | Encourage dialogue, collaboration and partnerships around Sport for Development and Peace between the United Nations and Member States, international and national sports organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia and the media. |
| REPRESENTATIVE | Represent the Secretary-General and the United Nations system at important global sports events and other key meetings. |
Special Adviser Latest News
UN Secretary-General Ban joined by IOC President Rogge to visit grassroots sports projects in Zambia 21 February 2012
Geneva (UNOSDP) - On Saturday 25 February 2012, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, will jointly – together with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge – visit community sports projects in Lusaka, Zambia. They will be accompanied by other high-ranked IOC and Zambian Government officials.
Geneva (UNOSDP) - On Saturday 25 February 2012, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, will jointly – together with the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge – visit community sports projects in Lusaka, Zambia. They will be accompanied by other high-ranked IOC and Zambian Government officials.
UN Special Adviser Praises Winter Youth Olympic Games and Attends Christmas Truce Celebration in Flanders and Brussels 24 January 2012
Geneva (UNOSDP) – Wilfried Lemke, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, was in attendance last week at the closing of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOGs) in Innsbruck, Austria. Tomorrow, he will travel to Belgium where he will give a lecture at the European Parliament and participate in a ceremony commemorating the Christmas Truce football game during WWI.
Geneva (UNOSDP) – Wilfried Lemke, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, was in attendance last week at the closing of the 1st Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOGs) in Innsbruck, Austria. Tomorrow, he will travel to Belgium where he will give a lecture at the European Parliament and participate in a ceremony commemorating the Christmas Truce football game during WWI.
Successful UN Youth Camp Concludes in Doha: ‘Only the beginning’ Stresses UN Special Adviser on Sport 20 January 2012
Doha/Geneva (UNOSDP) – The inaugural ‘UNOSDP Youth Leadership Camp’ concluded yesterday in Doha after eleven days of intense learning. Twenty-nine young people from nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Palestinian Territory enhanced their leadership skills on how to use sport to address pressing social issues affecting their underprivileged communities. At the end of the camp, all felt empowered and have new plans for their future and that of their peers.
Doha/Geneva (UNOSDP) – The inaugural ‘UNOSDP Youth Leadership Camp’ concluded yesterday in Doha after eleven days of intense learning. Twenty-nine young people from nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Palestinian Territory enhanced their leadership skills on how to use sport to address pressing social issues affecting their underprivileged communities. At the end of the camp, all felt empowered and have new plans for their future and that of their peers.
United Nations Sport Youth Camp Kicks Off in Doha 9 January 2012
UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, today kicked off a 10-day leadership camp for underprivileged youth from nine countries in Sub–Saharan Africa and the Palestinian Territory. Taking place in Doha, the ‘UNOSDP 2012 Youth Leadership Camp’ serves as a pilot project to empower 30 young participants to deliver sport-based social programmes and invoke greater change in their communities.
UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Wilfried Lemke, today kicked off a 10-day leadership camp for underprivileged youth from nine countries in Sub–Saharan Africa and the Palestinian Territory. Taking place in Doha, the ‘UNOSDP 2012 Youth Leadership Camp’ serves as a pilot project to empower 30 young participants to deliver sport-based social programmes and invoke greater change in their communities.
24,400 Fill Arena to Support the UNDP Match Against Poverty 13 December 2011
Hamburg (UNDP) - With a final score of 5-4, UNDP won the 2011 Match Against Poverty against HSV in Hamburg, Germany, on 13 December, 2011 before more than 24,000 spectators. The match was broadcast live in more than 25 countries.
Hamburg (UNDP) - With a final score of 5-4, UNDP won the 2011 Match Against Poverty against HSV in Hamburg, Germany, on 13 December, 2011 before more than 24,000 spectators. The match was broadcast live in more than 25 countries.
UN-Supported Youth Centre in Burundi Welcomes Special Adviser on Sport 5 December 2011
Bujumbura/Geneva (UNDP/UNOSDP) – As part of his ongoing three‐nation African visit, UN Special Adviser Wilfried Lemke today visited a brand new Youth Sport Centre in Gatumba, Burundi, in the border region with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project is one of the five initiatives selected by the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) as beneficiaries of the one million euro Award received from UEFA in Monaco last year.
Bujumbura/Geneva (UNDP/UNOSDP) – As part of his ongoing three‐nation African visit, UN Special Adviser Wilfried Lemke today visited a brand new Youth Sport Centre in Gatumba, Burundi, in the border region with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The project is one of the five initiatives selected by the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) as beneficiaries of the one million euro Award received from UEFA in Monaco last year. 
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