Promoting Physical Education, Sport and Peace.
Olympism is a philosphy of life, which blends sport with culture and education. The founder of the IOC, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, himself a great educator, bequeathed the concept that a complete, harmonious and balanced education is the keystone to the future development of the society, and the best way to act to establish friendship, solidarity and peace, between the people of the world.
In this respect, the IOC’s objectives meet those of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which adopted a "Charter of Physical Education and Sport" in 1978. UNESCO’s main mission is to promote education, science, and culture.
As such, sport and physical activity are an integral part of its areas of educational activities. It is within this framework that the IOC and UNESCO strengthened their links by signing a cooperation agreement in 1984, in the area of physical education. The IOC and UNESCO were involved in joint projects: providing publications about sport science and the Olympic Movement, to UNESCO national Commissions, and institutes of physical education and sport, in developing countries, and the organisation of a World Conference on Education and Sport for a Culture of Peace.
One of the focuses is to promote physical education and Olympism is to offset the current trend, in which physical education is diminishing on school and university programmes, under the pressure of budget restrictions. This trend can have serious consequences for the overall education of young people. Sport and physical activity are a proven complement to the intellectual development of children and youngsters, and to their physical and mental well-being.
Taken in part from "The International Olympic Committee and the United Nations System" – document prepared by the IOC Department of International Cooperation, January 2002.
IOC / UNESCO New Zealand
Over the last two years a relationship has been built with UNESCO in New Zealand. The Year 2000 was promoted by UNESCO as: the Year for a Culture of Peace. During the year the Programme Manager spoke to UNESCO gatherings about the Olympic Movement’s goal - to build a better and more peaceful world through sport, and outlined the ways peace was promoted through the various Olympic programmes and at the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games were added to the diary of activities for the Year for a Culture of Peace.
There are three UNESCO schools in Wellington: Ngaio Primary School, Clyde Quay and Sacred Heart at Petone. We have asked these schools to join in several activities in the last three years.