On April6 the International Sport community celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Established by the United Nations General Assembly and the International Olympic Committee, April6 recognizes the role that sport plays in society and its power to foster dialogue, understanding, social inclusion and peace.
In a world charged with geopolitical tensions, April6 provides the opportunity to highlight sport as a force for peace, and to demonstrate that sport can accelerate social transformation and foster the construction of inclusive and peaceful societies.
Every sport community plays a fundamental role towards social development by transmitting the educational values of sport to athletes of all ages and levels, and this often leads to meaningful stories of individuals and communities who use sport as an answer to social issues.
Athletes shaking hands in Ivrea - World Rafting Champs Italy 2018
Last year World Rafting first joined the initiative and 5 athletes shared their different and unique stories raising the White Card, a powerful symbol, followed by all the athletes who took part at the 2021 World Champs in France, spreading awareness all around the world. As a reference to the yellow and the red card in the sporting world, the #WhiteCard invites not to punish but to promote peace. WRF has been awarded the winner of the 2021 April6 Initiative of the year by Peace and Sport.
#WhiteCard at the World Rafting Champs - France 2021
Through the #WhiteCard 2022 digital campaign, Peace and Sport wishes to reaffirm that sport is a great tool for creating and maintaining links beyond all differences and that it contributes to a more united world.
This year, the mobilization was launched with a statement for peace following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and it staged the response of the sporting world.
Until April 12, the Champions for Peace who signed the statement, but also athletes from all over the world as well as civil society organizations and political figures, will brandish their WhiteCard, this symbol of peace.
4 rafters from 4 different countries paddling together #WRFamily
President and Founder of Peace and Sport Joël Bouzou,said:
“At a time when risks of division await us, I invite sports and peace actors, political leaders and representatives of the private sector, to raise their #WhiteCard as a sign of support to all peace efforts. More than ever, it is necessary to recall the contribution of sport to conflict prevention, conflict resolution and in post-conflict processes. »
World Rafting Federation, with the collaboration of its stakeholders, has launched a joint fundraising appeal to help our Ukrainian friends and members.
A first donation from World Rafting has been done on 3 march 2022 to Ukrainian Rafting Federation directly to the Ukrainian Rafting Federation. But it’s just the first step.
https://www.worldraftingfederation.com/news/430-support-ukrainian-rafters-donate-now
