Introduction, background, organized by, supported by

“Sports Summit for the Environment in EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN”

A Summit to recognize and encourage grassroots environmental initiatives through sport as well as promote new programs. The Summit also sends out a ‘Joint Declaration on Sports and the Environment’, calling on the global sports community to help tackle global environmental problems and create a sustainable society, and to make a sizeable contribution to the United Nations’ programs.

Background

The United Nations has proclaimed 2005 will be the “International Year of Sport and Physical Education”, while at the same time serving as the first year of the “Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.” The year 2005 is also the year in which the first international exposition is held in the 21st century:“EXPO2005, AICHI” under the theme of “Nature’s Wisdom.”

The United Nations is using various methods to solve issues on a global scale and there is much expectation on the role of sport in achieving this. To this end, groups including the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition, the Chunichi Shimbun, NPO Global Sports Alliance (GSA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) have made plans to use the opportunity of the World Exposition in Aichi, Japan to promote environmental awareness and action among sports enthusiasts worldwide. This is the foundation for the “Sports Summit for the Environment 2005”.

Organized by

Sports Summit for the Environment (SSE) 2005 Executive Committee

• Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition
• Chunichi Shimbun
• NPO Global Sports Alliance (GSA)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Supported by

UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UNICEF Japan, Japan Sports Association (JASA), Japan Olympic Committee (JOC), Japan Olympians Association, Japan Volleyball Association, Ski Association of Japan, Japan Sailing Federation, Japan Golf Federation, Japan Tennis Federation Round Table Discussion