Integrating sport into youth crime prevention and criminal justice strategies A/RES/74/170 Convinced of the importance of preventing the involvement of children and youth in criminal activities by supporting their development and strengthening their resilience to antisocial and delinquent behaviour, of supporting the rehabilitation of children and youth in conflict with the law and their reintegration into society, of protecting child victims and witnesses, including by preventing revictimization, and of addressing the needs of children and youth in vulnerable situations, and convinced also that holistic crime prevention and criminal justice responses should take into account human rights and the best interests of the child, Recognizing that sports and physical activity have the power to change perceptions, counter prejudices and improve behaviour, as well as to inspire people, break down racial and political barriers, promote gender equality and combat discrimination, Stressing that the rehabilitation and social reintegration of persons deprived of their liberty as a result of criminal conduct are a mong the essential aims of the criminal justice system and that the Nelson Mandela Rules and other relevant standards and norms, in particular the Beijing Rules and the United Nations Rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty, 13 recommend that authorities not only offer programmes related to education, vocational training and work, as well as other forms of assistance that are appropriate and available, including those of a remedial, moral, spiritual, social and health- and sports-based nature, but also pay special attention to young prisoners in this regard, Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General entitled “Strengthening the global framework for leveraging sport for development and peace”, 14 which contains an update to the United Nations Action Plan on Sport for Development and Peace, 15 Recognizing the complementary nature of youth crime prevention and criminal justice efforts and work on sport for development and peace, and recognizing also that such initiatives can benefit from more coherent, integrated approaches at all levels, with an emphasis on communities, families, children and youth, including those in vulnerable situations, Encouraging partnerships among all appropriate levels of government and relevant stakeholders within civil society in order to strengthen and sustain effective crime prevention strategies, programmes and initiatives, as appropriate, and promote a culture of peace and non-violence, Acknowledging the important advocacy role that can be played by international sports federations in bridging the policy priorities of sports administrators, the United Nations and national and municipal governments, and acknowledging also the deepened relationship between the International Olympic Comm ittee and the United Nations on sport for development and peace, 1. Reaffirms that sport is an important enabler of sustainable development, and recognizes the growing contribution of sport to the realization of development, justice and peace through its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities, as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives; 2. Invites Member States, entities of the United Nations system, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and other stakeholders, including sports-related organizations, federations and associations, __________________ 13 14 15 19-22315 Resolution 45/113, annex. A/73/325. See A/61/373. 3/5