UNIVERSITY OF PELOPONNESE FACULTY OF HUMAN MOVEMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE SCIENCES DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT MASTER’S THESIS “OLYMPIC STUDIES, OLYMPIC EDUCATION, ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF OLYMPIC EVENTS” Olympic Truce: Creating a culture of Peace Dionysia K. Peppa Supervisor: Professor Konstantinos Georgiadis Vice-rector and Professor at the University of Peloponnese Honorary Dean of the International Olympic Academy Sparta, November, 2013 ABSTRACT The concept of the Olympic Truce, which is also known by the name ekecheiria dates back to 776 B.C. in Ancient Greece. The three kings Iphitos of Elis, Lycourgos of Sparta and Cleosthenes of Pisa agree to the tradition of the Olympic Truce and organize the first Olympic Games at Olympia. All conflicts are ceased from seven days before until seven days after the Games, ensuring the benefit of safety and peace .Taking into consideration the global political reality, in 1992 the International Olympic Committee decides to revive the Olympic Truce in order to safeguard the athlete’s interests and encourage peaceful solutions to the conflicts around the world. The goal of this study is to explore if Olympic Truce can be re-established, overcome the obstacles and contribute to the development of a global culture for peace and togetherness. It illustrates the historical and contemporary link between Olympism and Olympic Truce and underlines the valuable role of international associations and organizations. In particular, this study looks at opportunities for building a culture of peace through Sport and fostering a culture of respect, tolerance, reconciliation and solidarity through Education. It argues that sport is a powerful vehicle for achieving human development, peace- making and peace-keeping as it is based on a unique set of values. It may play roles in changing mentalities, inspiring and mobilizing future generations. Furthermore, it examines the power of education in a pedagogical base as an important resource in promoting peace, social justice, cultural diversity and stability at a global level. Finally, it highlights the discrepancy between the theory and practice and analyzes the developments, tendencies, dynamics, existing difficulties and the future challenges of this priceless concept. 2 IMAGINE GLOBAL TRUCE... MOVE THE WORLD FORWARD… MAKE IT HAPPEN! “..May the Olympic Truce, inspired by the Greek tradition of Ekecheiria, serve to promote dialogue, reconciliation and the search for durable solutions to all conflicts destroying peace around the world...” 1 Juan Antonio Samaranch 1 International Olympic Committee, Olympic Truce, An ancient concept for the new Millennium, (Lausanne: IOC, 1998), p.4 3 CONTENT 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 6 2. The ‘‘sacred’’ tradition of the Olympic Truce in ancient times and the birth of the modern Olympic Truce ................................................................................. 8 3. The objectives, the mission and the establishment of the International Olympic Truce Foundation and the International Olympic Truce Centre ........... 12 4. Creating a culture of Peace: The cooperation between the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations ............................................................... 17 5. Olympic Truce and Olympic Games 5.1. Sport and Olympic Education as tools for peacebuilding (pedagogical and didactical approaches) ........................................................................................................... 22 5.2. The mission of the Youth Olympic Games in promoting peace ............................... 34 5.3. The basic ingredients of a culture of peace: Human Rights and Multiculturalism ................................................................................................................... 37 5.4. A valuable window of opportunity or a romantic Olympic Tradition? .................. 42 5.5. The next 16 days in Rio 2016. The action plans and the challenges......................... 45 6. Peace must be enforced or it must be inspired? ..................................................... 48 7. Conclusions-Recommendations ................................................................................. 52 8. Timeline ............................................................................................................................ 59 9. Appendices ..................................................................................................................... 63 4 9.1. Appendix I – Interviews / Opinions 9.1.1. Konstantinos Filis - Director of the International Olympic Truce Centre ................... 63 9.1.2 Konstantinos Tzavaras – Former Alternate Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, Culture and Athletics. ................................................................................................. 65 9.1.3. Pyrros Dimas – Olympic Gold Medalist Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 (Weightlifting), President of the Hellenic Weightlifting Federation and Member of the Parliament State ................................................................................................................. 67 9.1.4. Dimosthenis Tampakos - Olympic Gold Medalist Athens 2004, Olympic Silver Medalist Sydney 2000 (Rings-Artistic Gymnastics) and President of Hellenic Association of Olympic Winners ............................................................................................ 68 9.1.5. David Fernandez – Olympic Judo Athlete, Flag bearer for CRC at the Olympic Games Athens 2004, Physical Education Teacher and Law student– Costa Rica .................. 69 9.1.6. Sakis Kostaris – Paralympian Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, Communications Manager and Sport Manager at the Hellenic Paralympic Committee - Greece ...................... 70 9.1.7. Megan Villanuena – Director of the peace and HR programme of the Fundació Catalunya Voluntaria - Barcelona ........................................................................................... 71 9.1.8. Tommy Kristoffersen - Project Manager of the International Sport and Culture Association - Denmark ........................................................................................................... 74 9.1.9. Marina Vasilara - Managing Director Peaceplayers - Cyprus ...................................... 75 9.1.10. Nevena Vukasinovic - Delegate and facilitator Generations for Peace - HK of Jordan and NOC of Serbia / Serbian Youth Council - Associate ............................................ 76 9.1.11. Laska Nenova - Europe’s biggest community sports event - MOVE week, Regional coordinator SEE- Bulgaria ....................................................................................... 77 10. Bibliography.................................................................................................................. 79 5 1. INTRODUCTION ‘‘The goal of the Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of Man, with a view to encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society, concerned with the preservation of human dignity. To this effect, the Olympic Movement engages, alone or in cooperation with other organizations, and within the limits of its means, in actions to promote peace…The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport.’’ 2 Olympic Charter, Fundamental Principles A culture of peace implies a global effort to change the way of acting and thinking in order to promote peace. In fact, the culture of peace is not just an idea but it is peace in action. It includes a set of values, behaviors, reflexes, mentalities and habits that promote social development, tolerance, equality, solidarity, respect for human rights and mutual understanding. Olympism is among others a peaceful philosophy. Its goal is to build a peaceful and better world by educating and inspiring youth through sport and promoting a spirit of friendship and harmonious co-existence. The present study focuses on the relationship among peace, sport and education. The first chapter defines the ideal of the Olympic Truce and examines its historical roots. It explains how in ancient times the Sacred Truce is considered as a divine command and why it constitutes the cornerstone of the Olympic Games. The second chapter delineates the importance of the establishment of the the International Olympic Truce Foundation and the International Olympic Truce Centre, analyzes the organizational framework and presents the building of partnerships, activities, strategies and priorities. The third chapter presents IOC’s goals and attempts of protecting sport and searching for peaceful and diplomatic solutions to the world’s conflicts; illustrates UN’s peace 2 International Olympic Committee, Olympic Chapter in force as 8 July 2011, (Lausanne: IOC, 2011), p.10 6 operations and educational policies. Guided by the common principles, IOC and UN confirm their strong collaboration on joint actions and programmes in order to contribute to a better and peaceful world. The fourth chapter outlines the potential role of sport as local and global tool for advocacy, social transformation and peace building. It discusses about the concept of Olympism and its contribution through Olympic pedagogy and education. It also explains the vision of the Youth Olympic Games to inspire young people around the world to promote multiculturism, friendship,