The heightened role of sports in culture was the driving force behind the creation of the first-ever Sport At The Service of Humanity conference hosted at The Vatican this week. Up to 200 delegates were invited to participate in the three-day event that starts Wednesday. In offering Pope Francis’ vision behind the event, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the president of the Pontifical Council of Culture, spoke on Tuesday from The Vatican and cited how sports has been elevated in the cultural conversation that for years was dominated by science, philosophy and the arts. “The concept of culture is wider today and it encompasses all of human activity,” he said. “Sports is part of today’s culture. It has become one of the universal languages. Sports has always been not just mere physical activity, but also incorporates intelligence and creativity. This is a reason why we are so interested in the great language of sports.”
SIX MAIN PRINCIPLES: Ravasi and Rev. Monsignor Melchor Sanchez de Toca y Alameda, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, described their intention to launch a “movement” to develop -- through sports -- life skills and characteristics across six principles: compassion, respect, love, enlightenment, balance and joy. “We want to launch a movement, that is our vision,” he said. “To go from discussion to action, to create something new.” When asked who was invited to attend, he did not reveal specific names but cited a broad spectrum of experts across sports. "This is not a fashion show where people are parading around," he said. "The delegates chosen have been asked to come prepared to work." Multi-faith organizations have been invited, and Melchor cited 14-15 representatives from various religious groups who will be participating.
THE NEED FOR DIALOGUE: Allianz is the founding partner of the event in a sponsorship sources valued at more than $1.1M. Christian Deuringer, head of global brand management for Allianz SE, said today at The Vatican, “We have always stood for values and courage, and we wanted to be part of a movement. We want to be a part of taking the game of life, the game of sport, across the world.” To that end, he announced the launch of Humanity Sporting Club to carry on the principles. The activation, co-funded by Allianz, and set up in St. Peter’s Square during the conference, will serve as a “virtual sporting club” platform for continuing discussion across social media and other platforms. The event was also organized with support from the IOC and the UN. IOC VP Mario Pescante said that the organization was intrigued by “the theme of combining sports and faith” at the event. “We see value for bringing hope to millions of people and try to remove the barriers and walls to sports,” he said, noting that IOC President Thomas Bach will join Pope Francis in opening the event on Wednesday. “We welcomed this initiative of sports diplomacy, and trying to find ways to solve problems together through sports.” Footballer Kashif Siddiqi, co-founder of “Football for Peace,” called the event a “platform much-needed in this world to exchange dialogue.” He cited his British/Muslim heritage and added, “Being here, as a Muslim, at an event at the Vatican is proof this can be a catalyst for people to understand that sports can bring people together.”
WHAT’S THE GOAL: Event leaders were cautious when pressed on Tuesday for specific goals from the three-day event. Instead of specifics, they noted opportunity. Melchor cited the intent to amplify sports in social responsibility, with a focus on “sports for all.” Siddiqi floated out that one lasting example could be to present a match at St. Peters as an example of a “peace match” to “showcase the movement.” One source close to the event’s development said that no specific action stemming from the delegate’s discussion was defined.
