Sport is more than just a game—it is a powerful tool for peacebuilding, dialogue, and conflict transformation. In recognition of its potential, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)’s Global Programme on the Security of Major Sporting Events and Promotion of Sport and Its Values as a Tool to Prevent Violent Extremism (Global Sports Programme), in collaboration with Rondine Cittadella della Pace, will host an online expert briefing on March 20, 2025.
This event aims to explore the transformative power of sport in preventing violent extremism (PVE) and will highlight the ‘Rondine Method,’ an innovative approach developed by Rondine Cittadella della Pace. This method fosters dialogue and understanding between individuals from opposing conflict backgrounds, promoting reconciliation and long-term peacebuilding.
The role of sport in peacebuilding
The positive influence of sport extends beyond the playing field, instilling core values such as respect, equality, and tolerance. The United Nations acknowledges the significance of sport in global frameworks like the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. As conflicts and geopolitical tensions persist worldwide, sport emerges as a key instrument to bridge divides, build trust, and empower communities to work towards peace and stability.
The Rondine Method: a model for conflict transformation
At the heart of this initiative is the Rondine Method, a relational and transformative approach that seeks to humanize relationships between adversaries. By bringing together young people from conflicting regions to live and collaborate, Rondine fosters dialogue, empathy, and mutual understanding, ultimately preparing them to become active peacebuilders in their home communities.
Through structured programs, Rondine’s unique methodology enables individuals to challenge prejudices, engage in critical reflection, and build relationships based on shared humanity. The application of this approach to sports-based initiatives holds immense potential for shaping future generations committed to non-violence and coexistence.
Event details
- Date: March 20, 2025
- Time: 9:00 New York | 14:00 Madrid | 16:00 Nairobi | 20:00 Jakarta | 22:00 Tokyo
- Format: Online Expert Briefing
- Participants: The event will convene students from Rondine alongside global experts from the UNOCT Global Sports Programme community, including representatives from Member States, international organizations, law enforcement, sports federations, civil society, academia, and the private sector.
- Registration: Participants can register here to receive the event link.
This expert briefing represents an opportunity to amplify the impact of sport as a peacebuilding mechanism and to showcase the success of the Rondine Method. By leveraging the values and universal appeal of sport, this initiative seeks to contribute to the global efforts in preventing violent extremism and fostering a more peaceful future.
