The United Nations body UNESCO has a strategic partnership agreement with the Gulf-based International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) to address corruption and match-fixing. The two bodies say that they will work together across a range of initiatives including:
Developing international and national capacities to fight the manipulation of sport competition. This will encompass methodologies for sport integrity standards and good practice; mechanisms for enhanced cooperation and information sharing; and training and public awareness raising
Support for the implementation of outcomes from the 5th UNESCO World Conference of Sport Ministers (MINEPS V), the Declaration of Berlin on ‘Preserving the Integrity of Sport’, which was adopted in Germany earlier this year. This will include the promotion of actions by governments, the sport movement, intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies, law enforcement agencies, the betting industry and athletes in line with the Berlin Declaration; and
The development of international and national capabilities to prevent violence in connection with sport, notably through social inclusion projects
The two will also seek to mobilise government support for the development of guiding principles in the field of sport integrity, building on the current work developed by the ICSS and University Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne.
Alexander Schischlik, Team Leader of UNESCO’s Anti-Doping and Sport Programme, said: “Individual nations can’t prevent international threats to sport integrity but collectively they can. With its international expertise, the ICSS is a strategic partner for UNESCO in the area of manipulation of sport competitions. Together we can enhance our scientific, multi-stakeholder approach to this problem.”
Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “This is a historical moment for the ICSS and the UNESCO-ICSS partnership will enable us to drive forward the sport integrity agenda. This agreement is being developed for the benefit of sport. Through UNESCO’s intergovernmental mandate and influence, the ICSS’s ongoing work for and commitment to the eradication of corruption in sport now takes a significant step forward.”
Massimiliano Montanari, Director International Cooperation and External Relations, ICSS, said: “This new agreement integrates the authority of the United Nations with the informed and innovative capabilities of an international, neutral and non-governmental organization, such as the ICSS. A combination of coordinated efforts by key organizations will be important in promoting cooperation amongst the different sectors, all to protect sport. The ICSS looks forward to working closely with UNESCO in the development of tangible outcomes from this agreement. We need to ensure that young people grow up aware of integrity in sport; that they are inspired to participate in true and fair competition and are educated through the protection of the true values of sport.”
About the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS)
The ICSS is a non-profit organisation advising on event and venue safety, strategic security and investigations into corruption in sport. For more details visit: www.theicss.org
About UNESCO’s Anti-Doping and Sport Programme
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) provides the Secretariat for the International Convention against Doping in Sport, ratified by over 170 member states of UNESCO. In May 2013, UNESCO’s 5th World Conference of Sport Ministers adopted a set of detailed recommendations concerning issues in the field of sport and physical education policy, notably with respect to the protection of sport integrity. UNESCO assists states in implementing these recommendations. For more details visit: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/social-and-human-sciences/themes/physical-education-and-sport/
