Inter Campus and the UN: common objectives

NEW YORK – After our last interview with Carine N’Koué, Project Manager for the UEFA Foundation for Children, it was the turn of Daniela Bas, originally from Friuli but now living in America, to discuss the role of sport in relation to the objectives set out in the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

In response to our first question asking about the link between SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and sport, Daniela Bas said: “How much time do I have?” Indeed, the topic could be analysed and discussed to such an extent that it’d take days to cover. As we speak to Ms Bas, it becomes clear just how much love she has for her work, with this being combined with extensive knowledge.

“Sport is a very important contributor to economic, social and environmental development, three fundamental dimensions in life. The role of sport and physical activity in general is recognised by various governments in the 2030 Agenda, whose 17 sustainable objectives were agreed upon by 193 member states of the United Nations in 2015 and will ideally be achieved by 2030. The preamble of the Agenda reflects on the fact that sport can be used as a tool to empower women, young people, all individuals and various communities. It also mentions that sport is a facilitator of development and peace,” explained Bas, who is the Director of the Division for Inclusive Social Development at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

“The UN and Inter Campus promote the dignity of the individual. In giving youngsters the opportunity to play, roots start to grow from the seed, in this case the children, who, if nurtured well, can become an oak tree. Playing brings confidence and results in the ability to interact constructively. It also teaches the art of leadership and promotes teamwork and respect for the planet and other people, contributing to the creation of model citizens in the process. This can only help the 2030 Agenda, and when 2030 comes along it’ll be these model citizens that will pick up the baton.”

Social inclusion and disabilities: what are the guidelines for the future? Ms Bas explained how, on the one hand, the UN is continuing to advocate for the implementation of the conventions on the rights of the child and persons with disabilities and, on the other, highlight how we need to revisit policies in light of what the current pandemic is teaching us, seeking to further promote skills and facilitate convergence between the needs of disabled and non-disabled children.

“If, through sport, Inter Campus teaches its children the importance of diversity, it is shaping the generations that will allow the world to continue conversing. This is vital and something which the UN promotes every day.”

This was a detailed and wonderful conversation that concluded with Ms Bas’ invitation for two entities that have so much in common to continue on the path of cooperation and collaboration.