By Gary Anderson

November 6 - ICSS has teamed up with UNICEF in Brazil to launch a campaign to protect vulnerable children in the lead up to the FIFA 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 GamesThe International Centre for Sports Security (ICSS) and children's charity UNICEF today signed an agreement to work closely together in Brazil to safeguard children as the country gears-up to host the FIFA 2014 World Cup and Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.


Recognising hosting major sporting events may pose risks to children, ICSS and UNICEF claim they will collaborate to promote integrity, child protection, safety and security in sport and engage in activities to promote sport integrity values and safeguard children from illicit activities.

The three-year programme will begin with a special field visit to Brazil and according to both organisations, the initiative will leverage the ICSS's technical experience and expertise in promoting sport integrity to young people through the "Save the Dream" initiative and UNICEF´s comprehensive programme of activity in Brazil and its technical expertise in child protection.

The campaign was launched in Paris last year with the aim of raising awareness among young athletes around the world of the dangers of match-fixing and manipulating results and to promote the core values of sport.

Former Italian international footballer Alessandro Del Piero helped to launch the ICSS Save the Dream campaign in Paris last yearFormer Italian international footballer Alessandro Del Piero helped to launch the ICSS Save the Dream campaign in Paris last year






















"At the ICSS, we believe that early awareness and education is crucial and through this partnership with UNICEF in Brazil and via the 'Save The Dream' initiative, we will be supporting a range of activities," said Mohammed Hanzab, President of ICSS, after the partnership was signed at a special United Nations (UN) hosted forum, "Sport Integrity - a right for youth", in Geneva.

"These will include seminars and educational tools to protect young people and teach them about integrity in sport, as well as helping them understand the benefits of positive values like fair play, respect, loyalty and team spirit.

"Only when sport is clean and has these values at its heart can it fully contribute to peace and development around the world."

Working in over 190 countries, UNICEF aims to protect vulnerable children and help reduce inequalities in some of the poorest rural and urban regions.

The new ICSS and UNICEF partnership says it will tackle any child labour and exploitation that can occur in the build-up to major sporting eventsThe new ICSS and UNICEF partnership says it will tackle any child labour and exploitation that can occur in the build-up to major sporting events

























Gary Stahl, a UNICEF representative in Brazil, believes the new partnership will go some way to eradicating the possibility of child labour and exploitation in the country as it gets set to stage the two biggest sporting events in the world over the next three years.

"There are significant risks to children around major sporting events such as child labour and increased violence," he said.

"This agreement with the ICSS is an important step for creating a safe and protective environment for Brazilian girls and boys.

"UNICEF urges all stakeholders of the mega events to team up to protect and build a lasting and positive legacy to children and adolescents in Brazil."

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