ICSS briefs CID on the protection and promotion of sports values across Ibero-American countries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11th February 2015

ICSS briefs CID on the protection and promotion of sports values across Ibero-American countries CID represents 20 countries from Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal San Juan, Puerto Rico; 11th February 2015: As Ibero-American nations prepare to host some of the largest major sport events, including the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, the Ibero-American Sports Council (CID) invited the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) to participate at its 21st Assembly in Puerto Rico.

In front of sport ministers and government bodies from 20 countries in Latin America as well as Spain and Portugal, the brief of the ICSS intended to assist its members untap the potential of sport as an educational tool and support positive social change through sport across the region was welcome by CID members.

To achieve this aim, a Declaration was adopted by the CID Assembly welcoming the work developed by the ICSS, through its Save the Dream initiative, to promote and protect sport values for the good of young athletes and youth at large, as well as promoting the use of sport as a tool for social inclusion. The ICSS also extended an offer to the Ibero-American countries to join the interregional platform established by the ICSS to protect the integrity of sport.

The XXI CID Annual Assembly featured statements from Mohammed Hanzab (ICSS President), Massimiliano Montanari (Save the Dream Executive Director) and Pedro Velazquez (Director for Social Innovation). The presentation showcased the ICSS’s ongoing efforts to engage leading international organisations and policy-makers to introduce stronger measures to help safeguard sport, as well as encouraging sports bodies and governments to promote the values and integrity of sport to young people.

Hon. Ramón E. Orta Rodríguez, President of the Ibero-American Sports Council (CID), said: “Through its Save the Dream programme, the ICSS has become a globally-renowned and respected voice in promoting the importance of sport and its social and educational values to young people. On behalf of the CID, I am welcome their commitment to enhance the safety, security and integrity of sport across the region.”

Mohammed Hanzab, President of the ICSS, said: “The Ibero-American Sport Council (CID) is a key organisation and represents some of the most influential countries in the world of sport. On behalf of the ICSS and our Save the Dream programme, we are delighted to work with the CID for what will be an important step forward for both organisations and the future of Ibero-American sport.

“Like the CID, we believe in the power of sport to enhance the lives of young people, its positive contribution to society, as well as the need for greater collaboration between sports organisations and governments in the area of sport safety, security and integrity.

“We intend to build on the good faith shown in the ICSS by the CID to protect and promote the values of sport across Ibero-America countries through our Save the Dream initiative, as well as safeguarding sport in the region.”

-ENDSBACKGROUND INFORMATION About the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) The ICSS is an international, independent and not-for-profit organisation. With an aim to improve security, safety and integrity throughout the world of sport; the ICSS works with governments, federations, clubs, leagues and event organisers. The ICSS provides expertise, services and global knowledge - advising on event and venue safety, strategic security and investigations into corruption in sport.

For more details please visit www.theicss.org or follow us on twitter at @the_ICSS. About Save the Dream Save the Dream has been conceived by the International Centre for Sport Security and the Qatar Olympic Committee to promote and protect the core values of sport for young people at a global level. Working in partnership with diverse organisations across sport, art, media and technology, as well as United Nations bodies and other international and non-governmental organisations, Save the Dream works to empower youth and inspire societies towards a sport free from corruption, violence, discrimination and any other misconduct.

In pursuit of these aims, several projects have been undertaken including:  A joint campaign with UNICEF to raise awareness and encourage people to report violence against children in the context of major sporting events;  An innovative large-scale photography project to inspire people with contemporary imagery showcasing the emotion, spirit, passion and humanity for sport in collaboration with Magnum Photos;

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Empowering young women through sport in India in cooperation with Aston Villa Football Club; Educational programmes such as Let’s Cheer Positively / TifiAMO Positivo, a national competition for high school students in Italy to nurture a culture of cheering positively in sport, and workshops on sport values in schools across Qatar through the Qatar Schools Olympic Programme.

For further information and if you are interested in a media briefing, please contact: Will Shand ICSS will.shand@theicss.org +974 333 416 55 / +44 77 52 73 1548