Due to typographical error it is written that I am working with Department of Physical Education ,University of Delhi which needs to be read as Department of Pre Service Teacher Education,District Institute of Education & Training,Daryaganj.

1. al Refereed
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Dr. Aruna Devi

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Micro Insurance Sector in India – Problems and Prospects
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Role of SMES for Sustainable Growth
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Social Status of Women in Pre-Independence Period
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Advertising – How good a tool
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Dynamics of Distribution in FMCG industry
&Anil Kumar
Relevance of Ambedkar as an Economist
&Dr. Surender Singh, Om Parkash
United Nations, Olympism & International Understanding in Sports
&Neeraj Kumar Mehra, Manish Kumar Vats
Problem of Unemployment among Youths : A Sociological Study
&Vikas Nandal
Law Relating to Mental Health in India : An Analysis
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A Great Freedom with A Greater Responsibility
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Honour Killing In Present Time In India
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Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana and its Financial Status in Rohtak District
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3. Misc.
International Refereed
Pramana Research Journal (ISSN : 2249-2976)
Year : 3, Issue : 9 (Vol. III), Jul-Sep. 2013 (Page No. 135-139)
United Nations, Olympism &
International Understanding in Sports
Neeraj Kumar Mehra
Department of Physical Education
Delhi University, Delhi
Manish Kumar Vats
Department of Physical Education
Delhi University, Delhi
Abstract
Sport is used in an extremely wide range of situations – whether as an
integrated tool in short-term emergency humanitarian aid activities, or
in long-term development cooperation projects, on a local, regional or
global scale. Sport plays a significant role as a promoter of social
integration and economic development in different geographical, cultural
and political contexts. Sport is a powerful tool to strengthen social ties
and networks, and to promote ideals of peace, fraternity, solidarity, nonviolence, tolerance and justice. From a development perspective, the
focus is always on mass sport and not elite sport. Sport is used to reach
out to those most in need including refugees, child soldiers, victims of
conflict and natural catastrophes, the impoverished, persons with
disabilities, victims of racism, stigmatization and discrimination, persons
living with HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. The right of access to
and participation in sport and play has long been recognised in a number
of international conventions.
Key-Words : Individual Development, Promotion of Gender Equality, Economic
Development, Frantastic Progress.
United Nations and Sports
Sport has historically played an important role in all societies, be it in the form of
competitive, physical activity or play. But, one may wonder: what does a sport have to do with
the United Nations? In fact, sport presents a neutral partnership for the United Nations (UN)
system: sports and play are human rights that must be respected and enforced worldwide;
sport has been increasingly recognized as used as low-cost and high-impact tool in humanitarian
development and peace-building efforts, not only by the UN system but also by non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), governments, development agencies, sport federations, armed forces
and the media. Sport can no longer be considered a luxury within any society but is rather an
important investment in the present and future, particularly in developing countries.
Sport is used in an extremely wide range of situations – whether as an integrated tool
in short-term emergency humanitarian aid activities, or in long-term development cooperation
projects, on a local, regional or global scale. Sport plays a significant role as a promoter of
social integration and economic development in different geographical, cultural and political
contexts. Sport is a powerful tool to strengthen social ties and networks, and to promote ideals
of peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence, tolerance and justice. From a development
perspective, the focus is always on mass sport and not elite sport. Sport is used to reach out to
Pramâna Quarterly Research Journal
July-September (2013)
135

4. those most in need including refugees, child soldiers, victims of conflict and natural catastrophes,
the impoverished, persons with disabilities, victims of racism, stigmatization and discrimination,
persons living with HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. The right of access to and participation
in sport and play has long been recognised in a number of international conventions. In 1978,
UNESCO described sport and physical education as a “fundamental right for all” In a
development context the definition of sport usually includes a broad and inclusive spectrum of
activities suitable to people of all ages and abilities, with an emphasis on the positive values of
sport. In 2003, the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace defined
sport, for the purposes of development, as “all forms of physical activity that contribute to
physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction, such as play, recreation, organized
or competitive sport, and indigenous sports and games.” This definition has been accepted by
many proponents of Sport for Development and Peace and is the working definition of sport for
the purposes of this report. According to the Sport for Development and Peace International
Working Group, sport is seen to have the most benefits in:
•
Individual development
•
Health promotion and disease prevention
•
Promotion of gender equality
•
Social integration and the development of social capital
•
Peace building and conflict prevention/resolution
•
Post-disaster/trauma relief and normalisation of life
•
Economic development
•
Communication and social mobilisation.1
Olympism
Olympism is a movement that has been described in variety of ways. Broadly speaking,
it has been referred to as “Sport in the service of man everywhere.”(Lekarska,1988.p.73)and
more narrowly it has been spoken of as “the pursuit of excellence in a chivalrous
manner”(Clarke,1988,p.99)According to Lowland(1994,p36-39),however the ideology of
Olympism from the perspective of the history of ideas in connected with four main goals;(a)to
educate and cultivate the individual through sport;(b)to cultivate the relation of man in society(c)to
promote international understanding and peace; and(d)to worship human gesture and possibility.
In so far Olympism as a movement in the world can be universally understood and promoted,
it should in the view of Parry (1988, p.93), be associated with such values as equality, fairness,
justice, respect for persons, rationally and understanding, autonomy and excellance.Together
these values represents what might be called a liberal philosophy and are embodied in those
communities that are said to be in democratic. They may admit different forms of international
and cultural expressions, but when taken together they under grid and constitute the spirit of
Olympism.2
International Understanding
International Understanding, which rests on the unfettered expansion and deployment
of communication amongst men and amongst people, is recognized more than ever as the
indispensable foundation of the will and capacity of all nations to live in peace, to rise above the
ever more threatening factors of dimension and dissension. Its aim is the setting up of open,
confident and cooperative relationship, amongst them which are of benefit to all.3 Article 11 of
International Charter of Physical Education and Sport clearly says “It is essential that States
and those international and regional intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations
in which interested countries are represented and which are responsible for physical education
and sport give physical education and sport greater prominence in international bilateral and
136
Pramâna Quarterly Research Journal
July-September (2013)

5. multilateral co-operation. International co-operation must be prompted by wholly disinterested
motives in order to promote and stimulate endogenous development in this field. Through cooperation and the pursuit of mutual interests in the universal language of physical education
and sport, all peoples will contribute to the preservation of lasting peace, mutual respect and
friendship and will thus create a propitious climate for solving international problems. Close
collaboration between all interested national and international governmental and nongovernmental agencies, based on respect for the specific competence of each, will necessarily
encourage the development of physical education and sport throughout the world”4
There can be understanding without acceptance of and respect for the other’s
differences. The promotion of international understanding therefore seeks to reduce ignorance
and fear of the unknown. It struggles against intolerance, the many forms of discrimination and
notably racism, chauvinism and scorn of other nations. It rejects violence as a privileged solution
to social problems.
This notion of understanding has evolved since the magnanimous but vague
internationalism, European in outlook of the turn of the 19th century towards a more realistic
attitude that of the recognition and acceptance of the cultural; and social diversions which
characterize the modern world. Need it be recalled that International Understanding practiced
individually or collectively, calls for patience and attention, sensitivity and enthusiasm, all things
which are learnt reinforced and made stronger only by practice.5
Olympic Education and International Understanding
With the fantastic progress science has been making, we tend to forget that the
development of society depends more than anything else, on the development of man himself.Fot
it is to man that the decision returns ,And in the development of man the most important factor
is his educational and mental evolution.
The acquisition of knowledge, or of any other capital for that matter, should be of
necessity be accompanied by moral training. Moral and mental under-development is the word
of all other kinds of under-development and presents a real danger to man. The whole world
may suffer from its very serious consequences, especially when one knows that power is not
always acquired by the wise.
And the reason why we should support the idea which places the greater emphasis on
education in human evolution and especially in the especially in the evolution of moral values.6
Article 2 of International Charter of Physical Education and Sport clearly says “Physical education
and sport, as an essential dimension of education and culture, must develop the abilities, willpower and self-discipline of every human being as a fully integrated member of society. The
continuity of physical activity and the practice of sports must be ensured throughout life by
means of a global, lifelong and democratized education. At the individual level, physical education
and sport contribute to the maintenance and improvement of health, provide a wholesome
leisure-time occupation and enable man to overcome the drawbacks of modern living. At the
community level, they enrich social relations and develop fair play which is essential not only to
sport itself but also to life in society. Every overall education system must assign the requisite
place and importance to physical education and sport in order to establish a balance and
strengthen links between physical activities and other components of education.”7In this context
and within the frame work of international relations, Olympic Education is a dimension in thought
which is both greater and more unified then all other sorts of human education.8
Landmarks in the history of UN sport (2000-2008)
2000 United Nations Millennium Summit recognizes the power of sport and its values.
Pramâna Quarterly Research Journal
July-September (2013)
137

6. 2001 Adolf Ogi is appointed the first Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General
on Sport for Development and Peace.
2002 Following the United Nations Special Session on Children, Secretary-General Kofi A.
Annan convenes an Inter-Agency Task Force on Sport for Development and Peace to review
activities involving sport within the United Nations system. The non-governmental organization
Right to Play, headed by then UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Olympic medalist Johann
Olav Koss, becomes the Secretariat of the Task Force.
2003 The book Sport for Development and Peace: Towards achieving the Millennium
Development Goals is published by the Task Force. It underlines the power of sport for advancing
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).A global conference on sport for development is
held at Magglingen (Switzerland), hosted by the Governments of Switzerland and the
Netherlands, bringing together delegates from a wide range of organizations in the private,
public and not-for-profit sectors. The Magglingen Declaration 2003 is adopted. The United
Nations General Assembly adopts a Resolution on the role of sport as a means t o promote
health, education, development and peace. The Resolution designates 2005as the International
Year for Sport and Physical Education.
2004 The United Nations Office of Sport for Development and Peace opens to support the
work of the Special Adviser for a two-year period
2005 The organization Right to Play and the New York Office of Sport for Development and
Peace launch the Sport For Development and Peace International Working Group, a four-year
initiative designed to engage governments, United Nations agencies and civil society in
developing practical recommendations for integrating Sport for Development and Peace into
domestic and international development policies and programmes linked to the pursuit of the
MDGs. Young men and women leaders from more than 40 African countries unanimously
endorse the International Year of Sport and Physical Education
2005 at the second Pan-African Youth Leadership Summit in Ifrane (Morocco). The United
Nations 2005World Summit underlines the role of sport in peace and development and an
International Conference on Sport and Peace is held in Moscow under the aegis of the United
Nations, with the backing of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).The International Year
of Sport and Physical Education culminates in the 2nd Magglingen Conference on Sport and
Development that endorses the Magglingen Call to Action 2005.This sets out 10 practical sportrelated actions t o help achieve the MDGs.
2007 In December, the term of Adolf Ogi, the first Special Adviser on Sport for Development
and Peace, ends.
2008 On 18 March, Wilfried Lemke of Germany is appointed the second Special Adviser on
Sport for Development and Peace.9
Conclusion
Though, It has been recognized sport as an important tool to achieve millennium
development goals as to end poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality, child
health, maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, environment sustainability and global partnership
and United Nations is undoubtly,playing an important role and utilizing sport as an important
mean in promotion of international understanding among nations through its important various
projects in collaboration with International Olympic Committee throughout the world.
138
Pramâna Quarterly Research Journal
July-September (2013)

7. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&References&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
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Dieuzeide.Henri, UNESCO’s Contribution to International Understanding, 25th IOA
Session 1985, Athens, p.167.
UNESCO: International Charter of Physical Education
Dieuzeide.Henri, UNESCO’s Contribution to International Undersatnding, 25th IOA
Session 1985, Athens, p.167.
ZerguinI .Mohammed, Olympic Education as a Contributing factor to International
Understanding, 25th IOA Session, 1985 Athens, p.128.
UNESCO International Charter of Physical Education
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