"In the spirit of resolution 58/5 and the International Year of Sport and Physical Education, I respectfully urge Governments to give serious consideration to how sport can be included more systematically in plans to improve people’s lives, especially children who live in poverty, disease or conflict. I also urge the relevant Government officials to consider the recommendations of the inter-agency task force on ways in which sport can be used as a relatively simple and inexpensive means to alleviate the trauma and suffering of refugees and others affected by armed conflict; to contribute to peace-building, reconciliation and healing in post-conflict societies; and to assist populations in moving closer to reaching the Millennium Development Goals."

Kofi Annan
United Nations Secretary-General

With the International Year of Sport and Physical Education fast approaching, ICSSPE would like to encourage all members, organisations and individuals to consider how they may celebrate this monumentous occasion. We also encourage you to share your plans and ideas with us, so that we may develop a dedicated section of our website for activities to celebrate 2005. Please contact Tamie Devine (tdevine@icsspe.org) to share your events or for more information.