The Power of Sport Foundation hosted a first of its kind conference celebrating the UN International Day of Sport for Development and Peace yesterday at Bosön, just north of Stockholm.
The day began with a lively presentation of the particpants of the 2017 UN Camp Sweden. Youth leaders in sport from around the world are here for a training program to better implement projects on sport for development and peace.
Carolina Klüft then took the stage and spoke about the importance of an active lifestyle and healthy living both for the body and mind. Panel discussions would follow featuring 6-time Olympian Therese Alshammar, Beatrice Frey (UN Women New York), David Given-Sjölander (Postkod Foundation Sweden), Thando Msweli (Peaceplayers South Africa), Gladys Tsoanyane and Thabiso Moea from the Lesotho Olympic Committee.
The second session of the day saw the days keynote speaker, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson speak to the onlookers about the state of the world and the potenial that sport has to make a contribution to peace and democracy in the world today.
Homkant Surendase of Slum Soccer then took the stage to share his touching story on how football and his involvment in Slum Soccer India would change his life forever.
Persons with a disability, both physical and mental are sadly on the outskirts of society in many areas of the world. Discussing the impact sport can have at empowering such groups of people were Kim Källström (Kim Källström Trophy and Djugården Football), Sylvana Mestre (Play and Train/Paralympic Order), Åsa Linares (Paralympic Sweden) and Bijay Shahi (Gabaka Foundation).
Hans Vestberg from the Swedish Olympic Committee finished the day by discussing the importance of legacy and sustainability in a potential Sweden bid for the Winter Olympics.
Photos from the event can be found here.