"I think it has been crucial because it has enabled us to do things much more quickly than we would otherwise have done," Clark told insidethegames.

"It is possible to set up a sport for peace NGO (non-Governmental organisation) without any connections to Olympic Movement, but much harder.

"Given the speed at which Generations For Peace has grown from being founded in 2007 to supporting delegates in 48 countries now, that would not be possible without that support and in particular the selection of delegates.

"The Olympic Movement connections are crucial for that."

The non-profit company started life in 2007 and run regular camps where they train delegates in how to run programmes in conflict zones around the world, using sports such as football and basketball, to promote a more peaceful tomorrow.

Key to both their founding and their growth are their long standing connections in the international Olympic Movement, with their founder Prince Feisal Al Hussein a member of the IOC.

In 2007 Prince Feisal (pictured right) was, as he still is, the head of the Jordanian Olympic Committee (JOC), and Generations For Peace now have a number of other members of the IOC on their advisory panel.


Earlier this year, IOC President Jacques Rogge (pictured left) underlined the relationship by opening the Generations For Peace Institute in Amman, Jordan.

"Within our staff we have very good contact with the IOC and those personal contacts are really what help us in terms of engaging that network and the Olympic Movement," Clark added.

"We also have strong networks with other civil society operations in the countries we work in."

The delegates Generations For Peace bring to their camps are selected following a rigorous process, and they are often initially identified with the help of the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) of the countries in which they work.

The organisation is currently running their eighth camp here, where 53 delegates from Russia, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have come to participate.

As well as enlisting the help of the Olympic Movement to achieve their goal of a more peaceful future, Clark says Generations For Peace is committed to promoting its values - respect, excellence and friendship.

"With his Royal Highness becoming a member of the IOC we have benefited from the support of individuals within the movement and the IOC as a whole," he said.

"Those personal links are really important, very valuable for connecting people in different countries.

"The highest level link of all is that the IOC has observer status at the UN and each year there is a joint IOC-UN forum on using sport for peace and development, and Generations For Peace always participate in that and are seen as a key actor.

"Our roots will always be very proudly in the Olympic Movement, we share the Olympic Values in everything we do.

"I think if you speak to Jacques Rogge or other key members in the Olympic Movement, ultimately it is about promoting those values.

"We're focused on grassroots not elite sport but we still promote those values and ideal."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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