Canada and International Sport
Sport as a tool for development and peace
Canada strongly believes that sport has an important role to play in improving the quality of life in less developed countries and in supporting peace. By their very nature, sport and physical education are about participation, inclusion and a sense of belonging.
Canada is a major promoter of the role that sport can play as an international development tool, and has supported international projects that encourage women, youth and persons with disabilities to get involved in sport. These projects also impart other important social benefits in the process, such as HIV/AIDS prevention awareness and the promotion of gender equity.
In 2005-06, the Government of Canada has invested roughly $2.6 million towards special projects and organizations dedicated to sport for development and peace. Partnerships between Canadian Heritage and the Canadian International Development Agency have brought together expertise in both sport and development to implement programs that have changed the lives of individuals and communities in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean.
Find out more about Canada's support for International Sport:
- International Development through Sport
- Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
- International Working Group on Sport for Development and Peace
- Sport Agreements with Other Countries
- Canada and the global movement against doping in sport
International Development Through Sport
The International Development Through Sport movement uses sport to address issues such as HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and lifestyle counselling in Commonwealth countries.
With Government of Canada funding, Commonwealth Games Canada supports a number of innovative programs such as the Olympic Youth Ambassador Program (OYAP) run by the Lesotho National Olympic Committee in cooperation with the Lesotho National Volunteer Commission.
OYAP has two main objectives: training youth to organize sport activities for other youth and using those activities as a platform for peer education about social issues, such as drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, and family issues.Canadian Sport Leadership Corps
The Canadian Sport Leadership Corps (CSLC) provides opportunities for Canadian youth to gain valuable work and life skill experience in assisting international development through sport programs. Since its inception in 2001, the CSLC has supported 47 youth internships, which have placed young Canadians in the Caribbean and Southern Africa to assist in sport development programs.
International Working Group on Sport for Development and Peace
In recognition of Canadian leadership in development through sport, Canada is one of four lead nations funding and helping guide the International Working Group on Sport for Development and Peace.
The Working Group was created in May 2005 to provide best practices and recommendations for countries to include sport in their international development assistance policies and programs. It was established under the auspices of the United Nations' International Year for Sport and Physical Education. The Working Group will meet for the second time in Torino, Italy around the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games.
Sport agreements with other countries
Bilateral agreements are part of Canada's ongoing efforts to complement and support Canadian domestic Sport policies and to advance our key priorities in international Sport. These agreements encourage the sharing of knowledge on issues related to coaching and technical Sport development, and in Sport policy areas such as women in Sport, athletes with a disability, indigenous Sport, anti-doping and Sport participation.
Our bilateral agreements allow us to share our expertise and best practices on the international scene. For example, Canada was instrumental in helping South Africa to develop a model for the South Africa Games, based on the Canada Games. The South Africa Games are seen as an excellent tool for promoting national unity and intercultural dialogue.
Canada currently has international bilateral agreements in sport with seven countries including Russia, Brazil, Cuba, China, South Africa, France and Tunisia.
Canada and the global movement against doping in sport
Canada is respected worldwide for its domestic anti-doping program and policies, and for its leadership in promoting a drug-free, fair and ethical environment for sport.
Canada plays a key role in the World Anti-Doping Agency, based in Montreal, and played a leading role in the UNESCO process to develop the International Convention Against Doping in Sport. On October 19, 2005, at the UNESCO General Conference, the International Convention was adopted unanimously by Member States of UNESCO and is now open for ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Canada accepted the Convention on November 29, 2005, solidifying the country's role as a leading sport nation and its contribution to the international anti-doping movement.