The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been awarded the prestigious ‘Fair Play for Peace’ award by our partner, the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM), honouring its significant contribution to promoting the positive values of peace and solidarity through sport. This annual award is given to institutions or associations that have had a global impact in fostering these essential human values through sport.
The ceremony, held at Brussels City Hall as part of the World Fair Play Day 2024 celebrations, saw Philippe Housiaux, President of the EFPM, and Ruggero Alcanterini, co-initiator of the prize, presenting the award to Kelly T. Clements, UNHCR’s Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees.
Prof. Manfred Laemmer, President of the European Olympic Academies (EOA), also took part in the event, symbolising the strong alignment between the Olympic Movement and the mission of promoting Peace and Fair Play in sports.
Promoting Peace through Sport
The award highlights UNHCR’s continued dedication to using sport as a tool to support refugees worldwide, through initiatives such as the ‘More than a Game’ strategy. This initiative emphasises the role of sport not only as entertainment but as a catalyst for peace, inclusion, and community building for refugees.
Kelly T. Clements remarked, “In sport, as with most things in their lives, refugees face enormous challenges to make it to the starting line, let alone win medals. That’s why we at UNHCR want refugees to have a level playing field – to have access to the same opportunities, the same rights, the same facilities as everyone else. Fair Play sets them up for success..”
Philippe Housiaux emphasized the broader importance of the award: ” The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees should not exist if our world lived in harmony and peace. Unfortunately, 120 million people forcibly displaced are a daily reminder of the extent to which our society is incapable of finding acceptable human solutions. By granting this Award, the European Fair Play Movement is modestly acknowledging the immense hope represented by the work of the UNHCR: that of welcoming these people forcibly displaced in order to prepare for Peace”
Celebrating World Fair Play Day
The event marked a symbolic day in the global promotion of Fair Play values. Originally celebrated on September 7, this year’s World Fair Play Day was advanced to September 5 to align with Brussels’ civic calendar. Several initiatives were highlighted, including the opening of the ‘Place du Fair-Play’ in Fribourg, Switzerland, and the ‘Crossing Europe for Fair-Play and Peace’ project.
World Fair Play Day is an international initiative supported by Panathlon International (P.I.), the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP), and the European Fair Play Movement (EFPM), promoting the values of Fair Play in sport worldwide. We would like to sincerely thank the European Fair Play Movement, our valued partner organisation, for the invitation and the excellent realisation of this momentous event.
