The potential of sports as a tool for development is being harnessed by a range of organizations across the world. The United Nations has argued that “well-designed sport-based initiatives are practical and cost-effective tools to achieve objectives in development and peace”. However, they also note that “the potential of sport as a tool for development and peace has yet to be fully realized”. This has been among the major driving forces for United Nations agencies to encourage and support governments in the adoption and implementation of the Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group’s policy recommendations. This study assesses the different organizations’ work in the field of sport for development and the role of the large-scale international youth football tournaments. It concludes that sport is a potentially powerful tool, in particular because it can be used to mobilize local organizations and engage key target Sustainability through Sport.

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Sport presents broad opportunities to promote environmental awareness, capacity building and far-reaching actions for environmental, social and economic development across society. It also can be a means of achieving peace and reconciliation as a fundamental prerequisite for sustainability principles to be shared and applied and here the Olympic Movement plays a key role. This document identifies the milestones achieved since 1992 in using sport as a catalyst for promoting positive action and changing attitudes. The OM is steadfast in applying the Olympic ideal of excellence in its drive for sustainability of the environmental, social and economic agenda.

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This advocacy brief highlights the importance of Physical education and sport in empowering girls and young women. The paper argues that, we should be concerned about gender, girls and physical education because access and regular participation is a fundamental human right. It is a fundamental human right because regular participation in physical activity is an essential component of a healthy. Programmes that prepare children for lifelong physical activity must be formally organised, well designed and professionally led. Quality, school physical education programmes provide young people with opportunities to develop the values, knowledge and skills they need to lead physically active lives, build self-esteem, and to promote and facilitate physical activity in the lives of others.

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This review focuses on what has been referred to as ‘violence’ used against children taking part in activities connected with sport in a number of countries around the world. Suggestions for standard definitions of ‘sport’ and ‘violence’ are given, as are examples of practices that show that the perpetrators of this ‘violence’ are not limited to any particular person or sport. Recommendations for, amongst other things, further academic research, data collection, monitoring, education and training in a number of areas regarding abuse of children connected with sporting activities are also made. This an interesting report, with the potential to be a foundation stone for more discussion on the values adults place on the participation, and use, of the children they encourage to participate in sporting activities.

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Scientific evidence shows that physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for ill health, going well beyond issues related to weight control and influencing both physical and mental well-being. Over the past few years, the promotion of physical activity has increasingly been recognized in Europe as a priority for public health, and many countries have responded through the development of policies and interventions. To support Member States in their efforts, the WHO Regional Office for Europe has developed this blueprint for making physical activity appealing to young people. It is intended to be a resource for physical activity promoters, with a focus on supportive urban environments and settings where children and young people live, study and play. This report outlines the blueprint itself, its development and suggested next steps.

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