'Mountains are areas of peace and respect for nature.' Photo: empty007 CC-BY-SA-2.0
The official international mountaineering body has signed up to spread a message of peace among the world’s peaks.
The Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme has agreed an accord with the Monaco-based Peace and Sport organisation that promotes peace through sport in the world’s poorer areas.
The two bodies signed a memorandum of understanding today that commits mountaineering to the aims of international understanding and friendship.
The document was signed in London by UIAA vice-president Jordi Colomer and Peace and Sport founder and president Joel Bouzou.
Mr Colomer said: “The UIAA has a firm belief that mountains are areas of peace and respect for nature. The practice of mountaineering starts from this belief and this message goes from the mountains to the rest of the world.”
Mr Bouzou added: “Is there a more highly symbolic place than a mountain summit to launch a message of peace, friendship and brotherhood to the world? For all these reasons, I am delighted about this partnership with the UIAA and thank them for their commitment to promote peace alongside Peace and Sport.
“The values associated with climbing and mountaineering positively forge ethics, such as solidarity, trust in others, concern for the environment, reaching for excellence and going beyond one’s limits. These values can profoundly change the personality of young people who have grown up without guidelines in life. I am convinced that climbing has the power to open new horizons for them.”
Both the British Mountaineering Council and the Alpine Club are members of the UIAA, which represents mountaineers across the world.
Peace and Sport enters partnerships with international sports federations such as the UIAA to develop sports activities with the goal of promoting dialogue, social reintegration of youth and sustainable peace.
The organisation was founded in 2007 and has agreements with about 30 international sports federations besides the UIAA.
