UNODC, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, works towards making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism. It is committed to achieving health, security and justice for all by tackling these threats, thereby promoting sustainable peace and well-being. It is also committed to supporting member states in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Further to relevant United Nations standards and norms on crime and drug-use prevention, UNODC assists requesting member states in helping key crime prevention actors to operate more effectively and in accordance with human rights with a view to reducing crime, violence, and victimisation of vulnerable groups, including of women and youth. It also focuses on holistic and evidence-based prevention measures that address the root causes of violence, crime, and substance use.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development identified sport as “an important enabler of sustainable development”, recognising the growing contribution of sport to the realisation of the SDGs, including SDG 16, by reducing violence and crime.
Under the Youth Crime Prevention through Sport Initiative, UNODC offers guidance and technical support to member states to use sport as a vehicle to address known push and pull factors related to violence, crime and substance use and effectively build youth and community resilience as part of holistic crime prevention strategies. Strengthening young people’s life skills is key to minimising risk factors and maximising factors to protect against crime and violence, including violent extremism and drug use. The Line Up, Live Up Initiative, an evidence-informed life skills curriculum for boys and girls, builds important cognitive and social skills, increases knowledge on risks related to violence crime and drug use, challenges harmful stereotypes and normative beliefs relating to violence and crime, including gender-based violence, and promotes equality, respect and positive behavioural changes.
UNODC’s Youth Crime Prevention through Sport Initiative aligns with global agendas and UN standards and norms on crime prevention, UNESCO Kazan Action Plan, Kyoto Declaration on Advancing Crime Prevention, Criminal Justice and the Rule of Law, as well as UN General Assembly resolutions A/RES/74/170 and A/RES/76/183 on integrating sport into youth crime prevention and criminal justice strategies.