By Ambassador A. L. A. Azeez
GENEVA, Jul 16 2019 (IPS)

As I reflect on the varied views and perspectives that emerged during the Human Rights Council’s Social Forum 2018— where the theme of Olympic ideal and inclusive sports and their contribution to the promotion of the human rights, peace and development through sports were extensively deliberated on– I observed an immediate connect with the preparations that are currently underway for the hosting of the Olympics 2024 in France.

The International Forum on Olympic Legacy and Social Inclusion was a timely platform to bring that relationship into sharper focus and explore and analyse how best the outcome of the 2018 Social Forum could contribute to strengthening inclusion and solidarity through a human rights and SDGs-based (Sustainable Development Goals) approach to major sporting events.

Social inclusion through promotion of sports ideals

Preparations for and planning of a major sporting platform such as the Olympics 2024 no doubt provides an important opportunity to address the concept of sports from a holistic perspective, look at ways of making sports, in particular the Olympic games, more inclusive, and to help build solidarity based on the Olympic ideal, further strengthened by inclusivity and collegiality.

The path to inclusion — in the sense that sports bring societies, peoples and nations together — is a long and arduous one. Nevertheless, it is the path that we should tread, if our vision of an equal and non-discriminatory world does not just remain a dream, but a goal to be relentlessly pursued to its logical end. There are not many truly global sporting platforms as what the Olympics stand for, that can lend itself readily to realising this noble objective.

Apart from the strong emphasis that we place on democracy, governance and human rights in our civil and political life, as well as in economic and social spheres of human activity, it must be noted that developing countries also place a high premium on what they consider is significant for their progress: the realization of the right to development.

Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez

All these combine to play a very crucial role in advancing the UN Development Agenda 2030, in cooperation with all stakeholders including cities and local authorities. Addressing ways and means of increasing representation of all groups, including the vulnerable ones, in sports, accords well with the spirit of sports and the Olympic ideal which inspire us to move forward in the face of stiff resistance. Diversity and inclusivity wanting, such a vision, sadly, would only be a mirage, with the full potential of humanity not being fully tapped.

Fairness and equity underpin the SDGs

Providing for equity and fairness to make inclusive participation meaningful is a key goal of modern sports and sports bodies. Such an approach and vision go a long way in complementing the SDGs Goals 2030.

Aside from education, health, employment, life on earth, life under water, most importantly with regard to organization of sports, in particular, in respect of bigger enterprises such as the Olympics, SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) are key.

An inclusive society, as called for by SDG 16, underpinned by SDG 10, lies at the heart of global efforts towards achieving a world that is peaceful and prosperous.

Inclusion, solidarity and sustainable development

As planning and hosting arrangements for the 2024 Olympics are underway, it gives us hope that all fundamental criteria required for inclusive participation are under consideration. The Social Forum 2018 and the initiatives that ensued bringing a clear focus on its outcome, are a significant stepping stone for practical and meaningful action towards enhancing respect for dignity and diversity and ensuring equality and non-discrimination as well as equity and fairness through the strengthening of solidarity among peoples at all levels.

The Olympics, that bring nations together through the unifying power of sports manifesting the shared spirit of humanity, can serve as an effective avenue of addressing the rising phenomenon of hate and extreme violence that today tear nations and communities asunder.

In this regard, it is hoped that the 2024 Paris Olympics and other major sporting platforms that precede it would offer a valuable opportunity to underscore the imperative of norms and values that reject hate and violence, and to work towards the shared goal of humanity in all spheres of human activity. The potential of the media, including the social media, should be harnessed to bring out messages of unity in diversity.

The UN Social Forum 2018

Following the adoption of resolution 35/28 by the UN Human Rights Council mandating the Social Forum to address the role of sports and the Olympic ideal in promoting human rights, the Forum, held in October 2018, attracted a wide range of players and actors representing different segments of the global community.

There were, among participants, women athletes who had set unsurpassed records in their respective fields or had become trail blazers for others. There were representatives of minorities, indigenous communities and persons with disabilities, youth and women, with inspiring narratives, who had all collectively contributed with a sustained focus on gender, towards bringing greater awareness and understanding of both the challenges and opportunities they faced.

Most recounted the varied constraints they had faced in their respective societies, and also how they sought to overcome them through collective action and solidarity, reflecting the indomitable spirit of humanity.

It is relevant to recapitulate aspects of the recommendations of the Social Forum 2018 for the positive bearing that they have for the Olympics:

i. States, sports governing bodies and other stakeholders should respect, protect and consider all human rights in the context of sports. Their actions should be guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, core human rights treaties, the Declaration on the Right to Development and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and other instruments such as the Olympic Charter, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport. Furthermore, the 2030 Agenda, the Kazan Action Plan and follow-up mechanism, and the United Nations Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace can help inform this process.

ii. States should leverage sport to contribute to human rights protection and achieve the 2030 Agenda by working in collaboration with all interested stakeholders, including the sports community, civil society, international organizations and businesses.

iii. Sports and mega sporting events should serve as a platform to promote human rights and more peaceful, inclusive, just and equitable societies and international order. Athletes, as role models, should be encouraged to stand up for human rights. Physical education, physical activities and sport should be inclusive and based on human rights values. Upcoming sports and new technologies should embed human rights by design.

iv. Sports and mega sporting events should respect and consider the human rights of especially affected groups, populations and peoples. The planning, implementation and follow-up to sports policies and events should rely on transparent processes, include human rights impact assessment and due diligence dimensions, and provide effective grievance mechanisms for possible violations. The voices of those affected should be taken into account at all times. Decision-making bodies should ensure diversity, including by promoting gender equality.

v. Players and other workers in the context of sports should enjoy rights to representation and to organize for their own rights. Migrants, including undocumented migrants, should have their freedom of association and labour rights respected and promoted in the context of sports.

vi. Sports policies and events should be based on multi-stakeholder collective action at all levels. Relevant United Nations organizations, in particular OHCHR and UNESCO, should continue to provide guidance on sports and human rights and engage actively with governments, the sports movement, the Centre for Sport and Human Rights and other relevant stakeholders.

vii. The Centre for Sport and Human Rights should consider mapping initiatives and disseminate good practices on the promotion of reconciliation, peace and understanding through sports, especially in conflict and post-conflict scenarios.

viii. Sports-related reporting should adopt a human rights-based approach to data, and human rights indicators should include sport-related indicators. Human rights mechanisms should continue to consider sports and sporting events in their reports and recommendations.

Local Authorities as Enablers of Rights

While these recommendations deserve due consideration and accommodation, three inter-related points which I think are salient in the context of the role of sports and organising major sporting events and platforms also need to receive priority attention.

First, it is important to have a sustained focus on the enabling of local authorities and the empowerment of local communities. They both are mutually reinforcing, but distinct. In the framework of rights and duties that bear upon all stakeholders in any activity, local authorities have the essential duty of serving as the ‘Enabler’ of Rights.

This involves not just creating a congenial environment in which the society at large and its members can efficaciously enjoy their rights. In plural societies, this specifically requires, going beyond the mere concept of inclusivity, bringing all the different segments of the society to effectively and meaningfully interact with one another as well as with the local authorities.

An inclusive and ‘involved’ approach linking local authorities and local communities in all situations, but especially in the context of mega sporting events, should seek to leave out none – be it senior citizens or elders, women and children, or vulnerable groups. This includes, in particular, migrants, who often live on the margins of society, clamouring to be stakeholders in the activities of local authorities and local communities.

Simultaneously, the empowerment of local communities should complement the enabling of local authorities to be able to effectively provide services and to conduct its activities in a manner that brings dividends to all.

Constructing an Inclusive Future of Work and facing up to key challenges

Second, it is pertinent to note that humanity is currently on a continuum from the ‘World of Work’ to the ‘Future of Work’. As it presents itself, the world of work is getting more and more dismal by the day. There are conventional and unconventional factors that contribute to this situation.

Lack of economic growth, shrinking space of public service, changing patterns of investment and trade, unchecked ‘hire and fire’ policies, lack of support for small and medium enterprises are among factors that impact negatively on employment prospects.

As we move slowly into the future of work, a host of challenges stare in our faces, ranging from Artificial Intelligence, robotics, automation on the one hand, to digital commerce, block-chains on the other. The list, however, is not exhaustive.

As we discuss this crucial issue, it is pertinent to touch on the phenomenon of Urbanisation as well. We are fully aware that urbanisation is both a challenge and an opportunity, but what actually it is, for each city or metropolis, will eventually be determined by the effectiveness of urban governance, first and foremost.

A host city of any mega sporting event or platform should find strength in constructing its own future of work going forward, in the spirit of inclusivity. Sports and sportspeople have a special role to play in this particular aspect of the world of work: creating opportunities for others and benefiting themselves from opportunities and dividends that accrue.

A last, but more important point is the challenge of Climate Change. France, the host of Olympics 2024, is well known globally for its effective leadership to, and for the successful hosting of, the Paris Climate Summit.

It is logical that any initiative that seeks to make Olympics 2024 environment- friendly, with sustainable development policies and plans well in place including in local authorities, would be expected to derive naturally from the outcome of the Climate Summit, complemented further by the SDGs 2030.

Finally, it behoves one to recall the all too imperative nature of the duty cast upon the local authorities, sportspeople, local communities, visitors and tourists, businesses and industries, public service and other stakeholders to not just reflect the spirit of climate-friendliness in all that is done, but to lead, in their respective realms, by example. Any mega sporting platform and the host venue cannot simply wish away this responsibility any longer.

*Based on a key note address delivered at the opening of the ‘International Forum on Olympic Legacy and Social Inclusion’, jointly organised by Seine-Saint-Denis, France, and United Cities and Local Governments, an organization based in Barcelona, on 2-3 July 2019 in Paris.

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A view of the General Assembly Hall as Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson (shown on screens) addresses the opening of the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The Review Conference is taking place at UN headquarters from 27 April to 22 May 2015. Credit: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

By Ambassador A. L. A. Azeez
NEW YORK, May 19 2015 (IPS)

“Strengthening the Review Process” and “Universalisation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty” (NPT) are distinctly substantive issues, that require consideration with their specificities in view.

Nevertheless, there are a few aspects pertaining to the themes, which undoubtedly make them inter-related. They should not be lost sight of, as the NPT Review Conference, which concludes its month long session Friday, moves along its agenda.The five-yearly review process has been effectively reduced to one of stock-taking - of unmet timelines, benchmarks and undertakings.

The issue of strengthening the review process arose pursuant to, and as part of, the 1995 Review and Extension Conference. It remains on the agenda of each Main Committee of the NPT Review Conference since then.

While a special feature of the 1995 process is its important adjunct, the indefinite extension of the Treaty, a specific expectation of the outcome of that process was strengthening of the three pillars of the Treaty.

This was sought to be achieved in such a way that the implementation of the three pillars would be consummate and mutually reinforcing.

One should not be oblivious, however, to what provided the immediate context for indefinite extension. It was the expectation that those countries, which retained their nuclear weapons under the Treaty, would take practical measures towards the elimination of nuclear arsenals.

It was noted then, with concern, that expected measures towards the elimination of nuclear arsenals had floundered within the 25 years preceding the 1995 review and extension process.

Underpinning this standpoint was the commitment by nuclear weapon states that they would pursue disarmament as a matter of priority and without delay.

This is reflected in the outcomes of the review conferences, particularly that of the 2010 Review Conference, where a clear commitment was made, that disarmament would be taken forward in ‘good faith’ and ‘at an early date’.

Nevertheless, those who possess nuclear arsenals have not lived up to the commitments.

The five-yearly review process has thus been effectively reduced to one of stock-taking – of unmet timelines, benchmarks and undertakings!

The ‘forward looking’ thrust of the process, which was originally intended to inspire positive action, has sadly, due to overwhelming convergence of strategic interests, or other reasons, become an exercise of reinventing the wheel.

What is now required is to clearly state timelines and verification and other measures in any plan of action to be adopted.

There has been no progress in nuclear disarmament. Nuclear non-proliferation has made only a little headway in a few regions. The impact on ‘peaceful uses’, of restrictive and control measures, is all too apparent. They often appear to border on denial of technology.

The total lack of progress in the field of nuclear disarmament as against corresponding increase in restrictive or control measures in the area of ‘peaceful uses’, with nuclear non-proliferation swinging in-between, presents a spectre of regression for all humanity.

It seems to be reinforcing the view among countries, which look to ‘peaceful uses’ as a component in their national energy policies, or development strategies, that leaving aside the treaty construct of ‘three pillars’, playing field is not level, and will not be, in the foreseeable future.

In diplomacy, the emphasis always is on staying positive. As the review process is in its last week, the call for it is growing stronger.

But can one conceivably do so in the current scenario, which appears fraught with far too many challenges in area of nuclear disarmament with its inter-relationship to the other two pillars of NPT? Is cautious optimism in order?

A measure of pessimism has already set in, and has the potential to become irreversibly dominant. It would be so, unless and until there is an urgent re-summoning of necessary political will to achieve a radical change in our mindsets as well as in our policies and programmes.

Universalisation of the Treaty is an objective that needs to be continuously promoted. But behind what has led to this call remains its indefinite extension that was achieved in 1995.

If there had been no agreement on extension in 1995, there would be no treaty left behind today. The goal of strengthening the review process must therefore inspire, and be inspired by, the goal of universalisation.

The logic that led to the extension of the Treaty needs to bear on the call for its universalisation, both as part of, and pursuant to, review process.

The extension of the Treaty is indefinite, and it was intended to be outcome-oriented. When the three pillars of the Treaty are advanced equally, and progress towards nuclear disarmament becomes irreversible, the Treaty would be said to have achieved its objective.

A strengthened review process would thus contribute a great deal towards realising this intended outcome.

The goal of universalisation, however, needs to be advanced with a time span in view, and above all, it needs to be qualitative.

What does all this mean?

We should no doubt count on and increase the number of adherences, but equally, we should also emphasise the overall importance of integrating, without discrimination inter se, all the provisions of the Treaty. National policies and programmes of State parties need to reflect these thereby enabling the advancement of its three pillars.

The review process should strengthen efforts to achieve this twin goal.

Edited by Kitty Stapp

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As the Group of 77, celebrates its 50th anniversary this month, the largest single coalition of developing nations remains ever more relevant today than it was when it was founded in 1964.

But the Group, which comprises 132 countries plus China, needs a fresh thrust to work towards delivering on the aspirations of the global South.

The 50th anniversary meeting in Santa Cruz Bolivia, scheduled for June 14-15, was preceded last month by a meeting in Algeria under the auspices of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) under the chairmanship of Algeria’s Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra.

The highlight of the Joint Coordination Committee meeting of NAM and G 77- Commemorative Event was a communique jointly issued by the Presidents of NAM Ministerial Conference and the G 77, and signed by the Chairs of G 77 Chapters.

Other than its focus on the substantive aspects of importance to G-77, the discussion was intellectually stimulating. It was part of a learning trajectory for most of those who attended, especially in its historical sense.

In what he called was an “exercise in nostalgia” Lakhdar Brahimi went down memory lane, tracing the genesis of Afro-Asian Solidarity, which led to the establishment of NAM, and which, he said, had also inspired the idea of G 77.

Two points he made struck the audience most:

Firstly, the movement for South solidarity needed a fresh push required to put us on the frontline of global action.

Secondly, the G-77 and the NAM have not produced sufficient new ideas – rather innovative ideas – in recent times, the way they did during the 1970’s or 1980’s.

Madam Nkosozana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Commission, identified certain challenges which are chronic, sometimes systemic, but changing that would not be inconceivable provided that there is leadership, commitment and strong action, strengthened by political will and resources:

These related to youth empowerment, agricultural development and access to market, access to, and equitable enjoyment of, benefits from natural resources, and connectivity within the continent and between continents.

All these, in effect, would call into question the appropriateness of the ongoing multilateral exercises, which we, G 77, have embarked on: Are we really doing enough to advance a common agenda?

If we are, are we doing enough to ensure action on what we adopt as common positions? And without compromising, individually, including through other forms of concessions?

A specific question is in order. Given our working methods within the Group of 77 today, how certain are we that, on whatever might seem to achieve the broadest possible ‘agreement’ following often protracted negotiations, there will be no ‘vetoing’ of it by one or a few within the Group?

I mean ‘denying’ intra-group consensus just about the time before moving to the UN General Assembly for action?

If, as Brahimi said, the movement for solidarity needed a push, it was, I think, perhaps also for this reason. Even an answer to this conundrum seems to lie in the domain of what he mentioned as “New Ideas”.

While we try to narrow down the differences, if any, that may exist within, it may be appropriate to find new arguments, to produce new ideas, to construct new approaches which could bring us together. Cookie-cutter approaches to sometimes highly complex or sensitive issues are now out of vogue.

We may identify areas that may hardly defy the call for unity, to consolidate and project shared positions, including youth, women and children, South-South Dialogue and Cooperation, equitable and resilient, economic and industrial development, control of our natural resources, market access, poverty eradication, right to development, ICT, reforming of international financial architecture, among many others.

Under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka demonstrated last month that by hosting the World Conference on Youth, it was possible to bring political leaders, youth and other stakeholders on a unified platform to achieve an outcome conducive to the development of youth in the Post-2015 era.

The call for “UN Youth Skills Day” – Sri Lanka has a national one already- was among several proposals that came out of this Conference.

There are several other important priorities, some of which we, as the largest group in the South, are already focusing on. South-South Cooperation has the potential to address much of it, if not all.

Taking youth and South-South Cooperation together, it is timely that we, in the South, demonstrated our commitment, including through Youth Development Scholarships or Fellowships. Why not a G 77 – 50th Anniversary Youth Skills Development Scheme?

An important priority which should goad us into action was highlighted by the Finance Minister of Algeria Abdelaziz Khalef, namely the reform of the global financial architecture. He even suggested the possibility of clamouring collectively and vigorously for a new financial world order.

That indeed is a point for reflection. But the larger question still remains open: are we at least strong enough on matters other than those of a very substantive nature where, however, some policy differences may have been observed.

This brings home to us, the need for revitalizing the G-77 in such a way that it remains not only a deliberative body of the developing countries, but one that is outcome-enabling. And when an outcome is adopted, it is action – enabling.

Having a heavy body is one thing, but it needs to have feet strong enough to support it. It is here that we see the relevance of revitalizing G-77 and improving the working methods of the Group. The right opportunity comes in Santa Cruz.

* Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez is the chair of the Group of 77 in Vienna

By Ambassador A. L. A. Azeez
VIENNA, Apr 16 2014 (IPS)

Sri Lanka will be hosting the World Conference on Youth in Colombo May 6-10 this year. The Conference will be a platform for expanding youth participation and strengthening the voice of youth in matters that concern them the most. This is especially so when the attention of the international community remains riveted on a new post-2015 Agenda for Development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Group of 77 (G77) in Vienna, realizing the significance of the opportunity the Conference provides for bringing youth concerns to the forefront of international action, organized a Plenary Discussion Forum on 4th April 2014. It was addressed by Sri Lanka’s Youth Affairs & Skills Development Minister Dullas Alahapperuma, and the Director General of UNIDO LI Yong. A Panel Discussion on “Youth Entrepreneurship including for Industrial Development” followed.

The theme of the Colombo Conference remains “Mainstreaming youth in post-2015 Development Agenda” with subjects ranging from youth participation, youth empowerment to youth entrepreneurship and youth employment. Within the broader category of youth, which the Forum addressed as crucial for sustainable development, young women in development and entrepreneurship received a special focus.

Many international confabs have addressed issues of concern to youth over the last two decades as part of their broader agendas. The outcomes of some of those processes are reflected in the Internationally Agreed Development Goals.

Many of these, however, remain unimplemented in international and national action plans for a variety of reasons, primarily for lack of resources or consistent international support.

The recent adjuncts in the trajectory towards the post-2015 Development Agenda consist in the high points of some of the international discourses: Outcome Document of the Rio+20 Conference, Lima Declaration towards Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development and the Outcome of the UN High Level Meeting on Youth.

The upcoming World Conference on Youth provides a direct but elevated staging post for thrusting youth into the centre of the evolving global agenda.

But why is the upcoming Colombo Conference different from other conferences and their outcomes, as well as their venues?

First, Colombo provides the ideal platform where all the hitherto sectorally or thematically identified perspectives in several international conferences held to date could jell into a comprehensive, actionable outcome, thus providing both consistency and coherence to approaches towards youth.

For instance, a recent regional conference addressed the challenge of youth unemployment, a concern that affects not only the region, which witnessed what is called “Arab Spring”, but extends far beyond it. The outcomes of these processes need to be woven into making a development-oriented “whole-of-youth” framework.

Second, for most regional initiatives as well as international conferences that have taken place concerning youth in the last two to three years, connecting the dots between them and the process of elaboration of post – 2015 Development Agenda is important.

Colombo presents a viable opportunity to link these diverse processes to the eventual larger process towards elaboration of a new international development agenda.

Third, as much as youth issues are an enormous challenge in other regions of the World, it is also a huge challenge for much of Asia. But the magnitude of the challenges as well as the opportunities arising from them would call for concerted partnership across the regions given the reality of economies today.

Asia, home to three most populous States with high youth population density, and some developing States with impressive social indicators can blaze a trial with its own experiences in youth development.

Fourth; Sri Lanka continues to progress with resilience and vibrancy with its economic growth averaging around 7.5% for a few years now. Several social indicators which stood well past the mid-point of MDG targets years ago have progressed towards or beyond targets set in year 2000.

These include poverty alleviation, fall in infant and maternal mortality and increase in literacy and in access to primary education and primary health. Youth unemployment remains all time low.

The policies and programmes of the Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa have been enablers of development in sectors such as fisheries, agriculture, ports and aviation, communication and highway, transportation, industry including SMEs, vocational education and skills development.

Tourism continues to expand with a strong emphasis on the role of youth entrepreneurship and SMEs. At the core of all these lies investment made in youth development.

Fifth, Sri Lanka is making a modest but clear beginning in the efforts of the ‘Global South’ towards strengthening South-South Cooperation. Technical and vocational education for youth skills development and youth entrepreneurship remains a potent force for South-South partnership, grounded in Sri Lanka’s national experience and achievements.

The World Conference on Youth will bring on a unified platform, not just these issues and priorities, but in particular will seek to chart a pathway towards mainstreaming all aspects of youth development and their inter-linkages to other issues of the wider UN agenda, in the ongoing as well as future international efforts for expanding development.

It will no doubt channel youth needs and priorities to where it matters the most; post – 2015 Development Agenda.

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