International Inspiration
Azerbaijan has long recognised the importance of sport. Like other ex-Soviet states, it has a proud tradition of bringing home medals from the Olympics and other international competitions. In many events, Azeri athletes are among the best in the world, and the government lavishes money and facilities on them to perpetuate that success. But if you aren't going to the Olympics or Wimbledon, if you are just a normal child who wants to play football or tennis for fun, your options are a lot more limited. Chances are, your local pitch is in a state of disrepair. Chances are, your local school probably doesn't have the right equipment or anyone qualified to teach you. And if you are a girl, they might not let you play even if they did. But children have a right to play, and sport has an important role to play in children's development. As well as helping children grow up healthily, sport can teach them teamwork, negotiation and other skills. It can boost their confidence. It can also be a way to lessen the isolation of marginalised and institutionalised children by providing a means for them to interact with children from mainstream society. In December 2007, the government signed an agreement with the UK Sports Council to increase opportunities for children to play sport – particularly children who are don't normally have the chance to get involved: the disabled, children living with HIV, the poor, those who have been displaced from their homes by conflict, and girls. As a result of this agreement, UNICEF and the NGO, Right to Play, are working on a programme called International Inspiration that seeks to benefit 100,000 children directly and to educate 2 million on the benefits of sport through a mass communication campaign. Teachers, coaches and youth peer educators have been trained in 35 youth clubs and schools, including four schools in institutions, on how to use sport to teach a wide range of topics, including HIV, first aid, child rights, bird flu and more. Sporting equipment has been delivered to each of these places and safe playgrounds will be established before the end of 2008. In order to test the effectiveness of activities and monitor newly trained teachers' and coaches' ability to implement the programme, community play days have been held been held in four districts. UNICEF has also made a series of recommendations for a new law currently being drafted to implement the State Programme on Sport 2004-2008, which aims to guarantee opportunities for disadvantaged children and get children themselves involved in the design of sporting activities and policies at the local level.
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