GENEVA - In the world of sport and development, the ILO is becoming a key player. One of the immediate outcomes of a recent meeting here on sport and development was the official confirmation of joint collaboration between the ILO Universitas Programme and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on projects to be implemented soon in Albania and Mozambique. This will be a starting point for creating an operational network to promote social dialogue and identifying strategic policy issues for youth employment and youth protection in the sport sector.
Giovanni di Cola, Universitas Programme Coordinator, presented an outline of a common framework on Sport for Development initiatives, which demonstrates how the UN Millennium Development Goals can be achieved through partnerships in the sports sector. Many speakers endorsed a partnership approach among UN agencies and the world of sport, at the international, national, and local levels, and expressed support for creating a global network through which donors, sport stakeholders, and development agencies can discuss local and national sport and development initiatives and activities.