HRH PRINCE FEISAL AL HUSSEIN AND DR THOMAS BACH SIGN A RENEWED AGREEMENT BETWEEN GENERATIONS FOR PEACE AND OLYMPIC REFUGE FOUNDATION

IOC PRESIDENT BACH VISITS ZA’ATARI REFUGEE CAMP

HRH PRINCE FEISAL AL HUSSEIN AND DR THOMAS BACH SIGN A RENEWED AGREEMENT BETWEEN GENERATIONS FOR PEACE AND OLYMPIC REFUGE FOUNDATION

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Chair of the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), visited the Za’atari Refugee Camp during his visit to Jordan, where he participated in sport activities at the UNICEF Makani Centre – a safe space for children to learn, socialize, and play sport. He met with UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency and UNICEF Jordan representatives, who presented the Camp’s facilities and explained the current refugee situation and challenges.
Following the visit to Za’atari, the IOC President and ORF Chair, together with His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Feisal Al Hussein, signed an agreement announcing the renewed three-year partnership between ORF and Generations For Peace (GFP) at the Olympic Preparation Centre in Amman. The new partnership is designed to include more than 3,000 Sport For Protection activities delivered to 15,000 young people affected by displacement in host communities across Jordan and the Za’atari and Azraq Refugee Camps.

Commenting on this important visit, HRH Prince Feisal said, "In the wake of successive regional crises, Jordan has never hesitated to open its borders to those affected by violent conflict. Time and again, under the wise leadership of my brother, His Majesty King Abdullah II, Jordan has proved its resolute commitment to harbouring the affected and ensuring their safety, well-being, and inclusion. We commend the ORF and the IOC for their ongoing support to Jordan and their determination to offer programmes that leave a lasting impact on our local communities.”

HRH Prince Feisal continued, “GFP is extremely proud to be renewing its partnership with the ORF. Through the power of sport and activities that regularly integrate safe sport into the lives of young people affected by displacement, we can support the next generation and continue our peacebuilding mission in Jordan and throughout the world.”

Bach commented, “The IOC is committed to building a better world through sport. We work hard to promote sport and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect, 365 days a year, together with our 206 National Olympic Committees. Here in Jordan, host to the second-highest share of refugees per capita in the world, the IOC and the ORF are supporting thousands of young refugees and spreading the values of fair play, peace, and non-discrimination. Our renewed partnership with GFP is an integral part of the ORF’s strategic plan, which aims to reach one million girls and boys affected by displacement around the world by giving them safe spaces to practice sport specifically designed to support their well-being and enhance social cohesion.”

He added, “This is a great project, and it is a privilege to meet these young people. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that sporting activities will have on their lives over the coming years.”