Monza, Italy—Peacebuilding through sport was discussed in a conference and demonstrated in a football tournament.
In collaboration with the Italian Union of Sports for All (UISP) and the Municipality of Monza, the local UPF chapter organized several sports-related events in the northern Italian city of Monza.
“Ethics and Values in Sport" was the theme of a conference that was held on May 28, 2016, in the Urban Center. The purpose of the conference was to highlight the importance of ethics, social utility and the educational and training value of sport for young people.
Silvano Appiani, the managing director for sports of the Municipality of Monza, introduced the conference. He was followed by Member of the European Parliament Hon. Lara Comi and two other deputies, Hon. Roberto Rampi and Laura Coccia, who held the attention of their listeners.
Many testimonies of "best practices" were offered. Particularly interesting was the report of Fulvio Fiorin, a former professional football player and coach of AC Milan youth, who focused on "training and performance: winning through values."
UPF of Monza gave a presentation about the work that it has done over the past 10 years with the Peace Trophy, including interethnic tournaments in men's football and women's volleyball.
The 2016 edition of the Peace Trophy tournament, which ended on June 26, at Monza’s Sada Stadium, featured 150 young competitors representing several nationalities, cultures and religions. The harmonious diversity brought about through sports proved the truth of the words of UPF Founders Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and his wife, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon.
UPF-Monza President Carlo Chierico said that the Peace Trophy “arrived this year at its eleventh edition, and its growing success shows that it is possible to combine the game of football with values such as friendship and integration between people of different nationalities and cultures living in the same territory."
The interethnic tournament was organized with the cooperation of the Monza Committee of UISP and the Municipality of Monza, with the support of the company Sportiva Juvenilia and with the participation of many other municipalities and the Province of Monza and Brianza.
The 2016 Peace Trophy was won by the UPF team Sport for Peace, formed by young Italians from various areas of the territory. In second place was the CMR 50, formed by children of many nationalities led by the coach Antonio D'Ovidio and followed with dedication by the sisters (nuns) of the charitable organization Mother Rita Center. In third place were the youth of Real Monza 2016, a mixed team made up of African and South American children who attend the Provincial Adult Education Centre (CPIA) of Monza; in fourth place was the team Mutar, composed of young refugees hosted by the Association Mutar.
The success of the events was enhanced by the great impact on the mass media, with many articles in newspapers, magazines and online news, as well as local TV stations, including the video of the tournament’s final day, created by Brianza Channel TV and visible on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/0LfRysFQZlM