Today in Monaco, the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) was honoured with the 2010 Monaco Charity Award by the Union des Associations Européennes de Football (UEFA).

Amongst the excitement and buzz surrounding the UEFA Champions League draw and the Super Cup match, the UN Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr Wilfried Lemke, was on hand in Monaco to receive this great honour from UEFA President Mr Michel Platini. “We are very honoured to be able to partner with UEFA as a result of this prestigious Award,”
Wilfried Lemke said in an interview with UEFA. “This new partnership allows the UN to solidify our cooperation with one of the premier sports organisations in the world and together to promote sport, in particular football as an efficient and recognised tool for positive social change.”

This new partnership was declared at UEFA’s Annual Award Ceremony which celebrates the best in the European Football world both on and off the pitch through their awards. UEFA has taken the opportunity this year to recognise the work of UNOSDP in the field of Sport for Development and Peace. Mr Senes Erzik, UEFA’s Fair Play and Social Responsibility Committee Chairman and first UEFA Vice-President, mentioned that he was looking forward to working with the UNOSDP as football is a great equaliser. Mr Erzik continued that "UEFA together with UNOSDP will continue to promote civic commitments and to help defending major humanitarian causes".

UEFA and UNOSDP will be working together to distribute the award of € 1 million to a number of Sport for Development and Peace projects on different continents. The focus of the support will be on projects that through sport will advance the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Mr. Lemke noted: “We, at UNOSDP, also hope that our partnership with UEFA inspires its member associations, football leagues and clubs to engage in partnerships with the UN family to strengthen the focus of the European football family on humanitarian, development and peace building work.”

The Annual Monaco Charity Award was created by UEFA in 1999 to recognise commendable organisations that are using sport to achieve positive change. The winning organisation is presented the award during the UEFA Gala and Super Cup event in Monaco.

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