| Participants: 1200 | Religions Represented: 10 | Nations Represented: 40 |
South Korea—The Interreligious Peace Sports Festival (IPSF), a unique and exciting project that has developed as an outgrowth of the Religious Youth Service (RYS). The program utilizes sports as a vehicle to promote interreligious interaction and understanding.
Duration: July 20 - 27, 2004
Central Work: Education, Cultural Program, Service
The 2nd IPSF was held in Asan, South Korea from July 20-27, and it drew together 1200 athletes representing 10 religions and 40 nations. The athletes competed on teams that represented each of the major religions of the world and modeled the spirit of true sportsmanship.
The IPSF offered events in 7 sports - soccer, basketball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, badminton and table tennis.
Participants were also involved in a wide variety of cultural and educational programs. Each morning athletes and staff started with a period of spiritual reflection led by representatives of each religion.
Other optional programs included World Community Day, the Mr. and Ms. University Pageant and a service project at Korea’s demilitarized zone.
Shopping and sightseeing also provided opportunities for friendship and cooperation to develop between world youth from varied religious and national backgrounds.
Site: ChunAn, Asan, DMZ, South Korea
Project Design: 2nd Interreligious Peace Sports Festival
Co-operating Agencies: SFP, MMU, CARP, Ministry of Sports Taiwan
Key Sponsors: Police Athletic League USA, IIFWP,FFWPU