Paris 2024 Declaration on Olympic Education, Olympic Values and Sport, Development and Peace (SDP)

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The conference took place in Paris on 25-26 July, ahead of the Olympic Games, and was conducted in an interactive format, addressing the following key themes:

• Olympism, Pierre de Coubertin, and Olympic and Paralympic values education

• Africa, youth, education and skills development

• Sports, inclusion, mental health and wellbeing

• Sport for solidarity and peace

The Conference placed a strong emphasis on youth, Africa, and sport and peace initiatives through Olympic and Paralympic values education. The organisers aimed to ignite collaboration among stakeholders in the focus area of sport and peace, considering the current state of our world and the Olympic and Paralympic values based on the fundamental Principle of Olympism.

The conference featured engaging discussions, presentations, debates, and the sharing of experiences in the realms of Pierre de Coubertin’s vision, sport, recreation, community wellbeing, and youth development within the context of peace. Attendees were inspired by a distinguished line-up of national and international guest speakers, including representatives from the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the International Olympic Academy (IOA), the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association, various national Pierre de Coubertin Committees, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Peace Research Association (IPRA) and the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, alongside NGOs, government representatives, civil society organisations, private corporations, educational institutions, and sports bodies.  

Paris 2024 Declaration on Olympic Education, Olympic Values and Sport, Development and Peace (SDP) 

The following declaration was adopted by the National Pierre de Coubertin Committee of South Africa, National Pierre de Coubertin Committee of France, the Pierre de Coubertin Family Association and the UNESCO Chair on Sport, Development and Peace and Olympic Education.

The above organizing partners, in the hosting of the Paris 2024 International Olympic Education, Sport and Peace Conference held on 25-26 July 2024, under the patronage of the IOA and UNESCO, recognizes the participation and contributions of:  

• The IOC, the IPC and the Olympic Studies Centre 

• The IOA   

• The IOPA 

• UNESCO 

• The South African National Commission for UNESCO 

• The AU Sports Council 

• The City of Heidelberg and the Olympic Training Centre Rhein-Neckar  

• The International Platform on Sport and Development (sportanddev) 

• TAFISA 

• The University of the Western Cape 

• Pierre  de Coubertin Committee of  France 

• Pierre  de Coubertin Committee of Ghana 

• Pierre  de Coubertin Committee of Mauritius 

• Pierre  de Coubertin Committee of South Africa 

• Pierre  de Coubertin Committee of Tanzania 

• Pierre  de Coubertin Committee of the USA 

• The German Sport University Cologne 

• The University of Heidelberg 

• The International Peace Research Association (IPRA) 

• The Commonwealth Secretariat 

• The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Western Cape (DCAS)  

• The International Working Group for Women and Sport and   

• Various National Olympic Committees (NOCs), NGOs and international federations  

The organizing partners recognize the significant contribution of Olympic education, Olympic and Paralympic values. and sport, development and peace (SDP) to the development of our communities. 

The organizing partners and participants at the conference closely align with the vision of Pierre de Coubertin, the IOC, the AU Sports Council, UNESCO and the IPC in promoting Olympic education, Olympic and Paralympic values, and sport, development and peace (SDP). They emphasize the synergies between sport, education, and development in communities and city sport environments. This partnership leverages the power of sport to promote Olympism, Olympic and Paralympic values, mutual cooperation, collaboration, social inclusion, and sustainable development worldwide.  

Purpose

• Promote Olympism and Olympic and Paralympic values 

• Promote sport, development and peace

• Enhance partnerships and networking

Key Resolutions

1. Promoting the work and ideals of Pierre de Coubertin 

2. Strengthening networks and partnerships 

3. Deepening collaboration between and among partners 

4. Enhancing Olympic education, Olympic values, and sport, development and peace (SDP) 

5. Engaging actively with youth (from pre-care/kindergarten to university) and communities on the ground 

6. Critically engage with and promote sports for all and Fit for Life initiatives 

7. Promoting inner peace and spiritual wellbeing 

8. Support for cities as sport and youth spaces, enhancing inclusion, health, holistic wellbeing and international exchange 

9. Acknowledging the role that sport and peace can play in the mediation of conflicts  

10. Promoting Respice-Prospice - looking back to learn and share history for a more peaceful and enriching future 

11. Encouraging businesses to promote Olympism and Olympic values 

12. Involving governments and civil society to promote Olympism and Olympic and Paralympic values as well as SDP 

13. Recognise the difference between sport development, sport for development and sport and development 

14. Promote the use of sport to increase activity levels and address health issues to the benefit of populations 

15.  Recognising technology as an enabler and not an obstacle to promote Olympism  

16.  Promoting alignment between sport, culture and education 

17.  Continue research in the SDP field 

18.  Promoting the sustainable development goals 

19.  Acknowledge perspectives of the Global South and Global North on peace   

20. World peace 

- 26 July 2024, Catholic University of Paris 

For more information please contact:

Prof. Marion Keim, Prof. Gilles Lecocq and Ms Alexandra de Navacelle de Coubertin

Email: marioncapetown@gmail.com

Phone: +27 82 202 3454