“Sports and Sustainable Development; Olympics Games as an Agent of Peace, Coexistence and Sustainability”

Islamabad: Global Strategic Institute for Sustainable Development – GSISD and “THE” Society International has organised a webinar titled “Sports and Sustainable Development; Olympics Games as an Agent of Peace, Coexistence and Sustainability”on 08 Jan 2022. The webinar was organised in connection with the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympics, which is going to be held from February 4-17 in Beijing China. The Experts from various parts of the world including Asia, Africa, Europe and America shared their views on different aspects of Sports, Sustainable Development and Olympics. The sub themes of the webinar were;

1. Olympics in the History of Sustainability
2. Gender, Sports and Olympics: Role of women
3. China’s Role in 2022 Winter Olympics
4. Olympics/Sports Diplomacy
5. Olympics, Youth and Global partnership

Ms. Marina Pedroso, a Brazilian Journalist and Women Empowerment Activist, spoke on the role of women in Sports and Sustainable Development. She shared her experiences of traveling the world on her own with the main purpose of self-investigating and learning about gender roles and female realities in each country.

Mr. Ahmed Magdy, an Egyptian Sports Youth Development Expert based in the United Arab Emirates continued Marina’s argument regarding the role of women in Sports and Sustainable Development by extending the women’s contributions in the decision making process and different sectors of economy in today’s world.

Dr. Claudia Palazzo, an Italian Journalist, Political Analyst on Global Affairs and President GSISD Italy-Chapter drew a parallel between the Ancient Greek Olympics games, and today’s Olympics Games. She underlined how the truce imposed on all conflicts in occasion of the Ancient Greek Olympics games is now a foundational aspect of inspiration for the modern global games, and how this peaceful competition in sports is a way to gather people of different cultures, faiths, and background that build confidence and peace in today’s globalized world.

Mr. Yunus Ibrahim Hussain, a Nigerian Strategic Developmental Expert said that China being the host of the upcoming 17 days Winter Olympics has an opportunity to showcase and prove its fastest developments and uniqueness as well as diplomatic relations with the global community.

Ms. Evgenia Terentieva from the United Kingdom who is a British “Queen’s Award” winner and music producer on peace and harmony spoke on the importance of performing arts and sustainability. She appreciated the role of People’s Republic of China in hosting the upcoming International Winter Olympics, in Beijing.

Ms. Maria Ramos Padilla, a Mexican National Athlete, World Traveler and Sports Activist stressed that Sports are an integral part of Peace, Love and Humanity. She shared her experiences and best memories of visiting Beijing and declared it a best venue for international events.

Dr. Muhammad Shakeel Ahmed, a Senior Researcher at GSISD on Global Politics explained the inception of Olympics by sharing the history of peace initiatives and its relationships with the sports. In human history Sports and Peace were jointly used for ensuring Human Dignity.

Ms. Shandana Gulzar Khan, a Pakistani Member Parliament and Ex-Chairperson Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) urged that the women need more opportunities in the developmental sphere and perhaps women in sports can bring change around the world. While underscoring the special initiatives of GSISD Ms. Shanda Gulzar said that indeed women in sports are indispensable. She added that the biggest mafias against women and sports are those people who are not in the favour of global peace and Sustainable Development. There is an urgent need to understand that Sports is not just the great equalizer where racism is concerned but it is also a great equaliser for Gender. China plays an important role in women’s development and sports. She added

The Founder of GSISD and “THE” Society International Engr. Qaiser NAWAB highlighted the relationship of sports and peace initiatives as sports and confidence building strategies are closely interconnected. He said sports is not only a fundamental human right but it is an agent of peace, harmony, coexistence, kindness, trust building and a reason for a prosperous and sustainable dignified world.

He shared that GSISD provides a global platform for open debates and dialogues on global issues to find strategic solutions by engaging various major stakeholders like Policymakers, Journalists, Academia, Civil Society and Business Community etc. “In the twenty-first century multidimensional global issues can’t be resolved single handedly, we need to move forward with mutual collaboration with all stakeholders”, Mr. Nawab said.

While sharing his views on the strategic importance of sports, Mr. Nawab stated that this is a historical juncture where China can portray its policy towards peaceful and harmonious coexistence through this unique Winter Olympics 2022.

In the end, he conveyed his good wishes to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for the successful launching of the upcoming Winter Olympics in China next month. All the participants resolved to interact with each other in making the upcoming winter Olympics in China more successful.