WJC at UNHRC | World Jewish Congress Together Through Sport Initiative Highlighted

WJC took the floor on Item 8, highlighting the "Together Through Sport" initiative, which aims to combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred through sports.

Read the full transcript below:

Thank you, Madame President.

The World Jewish Congress reaffirms its full commitment to the fight against all forms of racism and discrimination, including antisemitism. The manifestation of antisemitism often acts as a barometer for broader fractures within our societies.

In this spirit, we are proud to highlight our Together Through Sport initiative, a unique effort launched in 2023 that leverages the unifying power of sports to combat antisemitism and all forms of discrimination. Sport is one of the most visible global platforms, reaching millions each week across boundaries of nationality, religion, and culture. We must use it.

Through workshops, partnerships with football clubs, and international events organized in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner, UNESCO, and other partners, we empower athletes, fans, and institutions to become agents of positive change. This initiative has helped elevate Holocaust remembrance in stadiums, promote the fight against anti-Semitism within sports, and create a more respectful and inclusive sporting culture with clear benefits for society.

A recent panel on the sidelines of the 2024 UEFA Championship in Berlin delivered critical recommendations for the sports community. This September, we will unveil an exhibition here at the UN showcasing football’s power to both unite and divide.

We call upon all nations and stakeholders to join us in this crucial endeavor. Let us transform our stadiums from arenas of division into beacons of unity and human rights education.

Thank you.