Laureus global summit focuses on how to stop juvenile crime and violence by the use of sport
LONDON, November 1, 2011 – Globally respected sporting legend Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, has called for greater use of sport as a weapon against the social evils threatening society today.
Speaking on the eve of a special workshop on crime prevention being held during the Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit in London, two-time Olympic champion Moses said: "This is a unique gathering of experts on what makes young people behave the way they do and we can learn vital lessons for the future. At Laureus-supported projects around the world, sport is helping young people to turn away from violence and crime. It is about time we took notice of the power of sport.
"It is now more than ten years since our Patron Nelson Mandela told us 'Sport has the power to change the world' and that has been our driving force ever since. President Mandela's speech was a pi votal moment for the sport for good movement and for Laureus. Now with so many social problems all around us, I believe we should redouble our efforts to get our message over. That is why I am so delighted that we are able to come to London for this landmark global summit."
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is committed to the use of sport as the means to improve the lives of young people. In Laureus-supported community projects around the world, sport is helping to tackle many social evils, including juvenile crime and violence. This has a particular relevance in the developed world where recently there has been civil disorder on the streets.
Recent research, sponsored by Laureus, shows that for example, we found that one Kickz project creates £7 value for every £1 invested, by reducing costs to victims, police, prisons and courts (*Teenage Kicks, 2011).
The first ever Laureus Sport for Good Global Summit, a three-day conference being held in London, has brought together representatives from 100 sports organisations around the world, including the 89 sports-based community projects supported by Laureus. Project leaders from 32 countries on every continent have flown in to London to join members of the Laureus World Sports Academy and representatives of other sport for good groups to take part in this ground-breaking event which will focus on increasing the role that sport has to play in improving the lives of young people.
In addition to discussing some of the burning social issues of the day, the aim of the Laureus Global Summit is to share ideas, knowledge and good practice and strengthen the growing network of Laureus partner organisations globally.
Edwin Moses had earlier joined his fellow Laureus Academy Member Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, on a tour around the London Olympic site.
Also inspect ing the new Olympic Stadium in East London were Laureus Academy Members and Ambassadors Boris Becker, Nadia Comaneci, Kapil Dev, Mick Doohan, Sean Fitzpatrick, Dawn Fraser, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Michael Johnson, Kip Keino, Ilie Nastase, Hugo Porta, Steve Redgrave, Mark Spitz, Daley Thompson and Michael Vaughan.
On Wednesday (Nov 2), members of the Laureus Academy and delegates to the Laureus Global Summit will be visiting the Lilian Bayliss Centre in Lambeth, south London, a converted school that is fast becoming one of the most inspiring hubs of community-based sports activity in London. A wide range of sports activities are run from this site, including a midnight basketball league and a multi-sport crime prevention programme.
They will see a demonstration of how different sport for good projects from around the world use a variety of sports to tackle different social issues. Sessions will include: peacebuilding through baske tball; community coaching; youth leadership through football; combating violence through boxing and martial arts.
(Source: AIPS)