Secretary-General Appoints Jacques Rogge of Belgium

 

Special Envoy for Youth Refugees and Sport

 

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Jacques Rogge of Belgium as his Special Envoy for Youth Refugees and Sport.

Mr. Rogge is currently the Honorary President of the International Olympic Committee, and was previously its President, heading the Olympic movement from 2001 until 2013.

During his time as President, the former Olympian was the global driving force for the promotion of Olympic values, specifically in the fields of education, culture, women’s advancement, the environment and Sport for All.  Mr. Rogge also forged closer ties with the United Nations through the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals and the environmental goals of Agenda 21.  During his term, the International Olympic Committee was granted Permanent Observer Status at the United Nations General Assembly.

It is estimated that more than 44 million people around the world are now forcibly displaced, the highest number since the mid-1990s.  Of those, more than 11 million are refugees who fled their home countries.  There is a growing concern about aggravating dynamics affecting various conflicts, including growing sectarian and ethnic divisions.  Among the population of internally displaced people and refugees, children and youth are especially affected and at risk.

As Special Envoy, Mr. Rogge will help promote sport as an empowerment tool for youth from displaced and refugee communities towards peace, reconciliation, security, health, education, gender equality and a more inclusive society.

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For information media • not an official record