Can peace be built through sport? Can a champion, through his values, his image and his messages, succeed where politicians have failed? A man thinks he's tough as iron. Joël Bouzou, former world champion in modern pentathlon (1987), today founder and president of Peace and Sport. The Frenchman believes it. He is not the only one. In Dubai, his organization is currently holding (April 23 and 24) its first Forum in a country in the Arab world. A meeting attended by several hundred leaders of the sports movement, experts and former champions. To talk about peace, sport. And how to marry the two. Interview.
FrancsJeux : Why did you choose Dubai to organize the first Continental Peace and Sport Forum?
Joël Bouzou: The vocation of Peace and Sport has always been, since its creation in 2007, to work towards building lasting peace in the world. The world in the broadest sense of the term, on five continents. We have sought, from the very beginning, to develop internationally, to make our voice heard across the planet. This objective led us last year to organize our International Forum in Russia, in Sochi. This year, we are stopping in Dubai with the desire to adapt to the problems of different regions of the world. Dubai stands out as a natural choice for discussing peace through sport in a neutral setting.
What role can Dubai, and more broadly the Middle East, play in the search for lasting peace through sport?
A fundamental role. Contributing to lasting peace in this region means contributing to peace in the world. In the Middle East, Peace and Sport touches on some of the biggest global conflicts. By opening the door in this part of the Gulf, we are increasing our chances of finding solutions for the entire planet.
What are the highlights of the Dubai Peace and Sport Forum?
The debates on the theme of the place of women in the Middle East, with the social changes which are gradually taking place in these countries, constitute one of the highlights of the two days. The presence of former champions, including Hicham El Guerrouj, Iraqi cosmonaut Fareed Lafta, and Honey Thaljieh, captain of the Palestinian women's football team, is also very instructive through their testimonies and experience.
After the Dubai Forum, what will be the latest news from Peace and Sport?
Our next news should lead us to further develop internationally. We would like to repeat the experience of the Continental Forums, in Dubai or elsewhere in the world. Today, we are already preparing the 7th International Peace and Sport Forum which will take place in Monaco from November 6 to 8, 2013.
