21/9/2005 - Ottawa, Canada: Senator Jim Munson, Honorary Spokesperson for SOS Children's Village's Canada (SOS Canada) and Canadian Soccer Star Craig Forrest, joined dozens of young soccer players today on Parliament Hill to launch the Official Inaugural Celebration of the Global Peace Games in Canada. Held on this date in more than 50 countries throughout the world, the Global Peace Games also mark the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Initiated in Canada by SOS Canada, Global Peace Games events are also taking place across the country in Victoria, Montreal, Regina and Charlottetown. A number of organizations have partnered with SOS Canada to support the Games: The Canadian Commission for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), FIFA (International Federation of Football Associations), the Canadian Soccer Association and Play Soccer International.
The Games underscore the goals of the United Nations 2001-2010 International Decade for the Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World which focuses on building trust and understanding between different cultures, nations, communities and people .The United Nations has also proclaimed 2005 as the International Year of Sport for Development and Physical Education.
Senator Munson opened the Games and stressed the importance of engaging children and youth on global issues, linking them to the world around us. The Senator then introduced a number of official representatives on hand to mark the event who included: Katherine Berg, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Sarah Kambites, Vice President, Play Soccer International, Tanya Hodge and Richard Ivan from the Canadian Soccer Association, and Boyd McBride, National Director of SOS Canada.
Craig Forrest with Ottawa South United Soccer Club and Ottawa Internationals Soccer Club
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As eager young soccer players waited to begin the Peace Games Drills, Craig Forest was officially recognized by SOS Children's Villages as the official FIFA for SOS Children's Villages Ambassador for Canada. The Rogers Sportsnet soccer analyst and former star goalie with the Canadian National team, Mr. Forrest has recently returned from South Africa where he took part in the groundbreaking for the new SOS Children's Village facilities in Rustenburg, South Africa. Mr. Forrest relayed some of his experiences from the trip and challenged the young soccer players present to take an active part in working for a better world for children everywhere.
Soccer Drills with Craig Forrest
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The young soccer players then took centre-stage, running through a series of soccer drills created by the Canadian Soccer Association and designed to give the young players a physical workout while helping to promote life skills like confidence, non-violence, cooperation and respect.
Children from the Ottawa Internations sign the Minfesto
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The event came to a close as Sarah Kambites read a message from Adolf Ogi, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace and participants signed the Manifesto 2000 for a culture of Peace and Non-violence. Drafted by a group of Nobel laureates, the Manifesto, translates the resolutions of the United Nations into everyday language making them relevant to people everywhere.