Cause:

Right To Play uses sport and play programs to improve health, build life skills, and foster peace for children and communities affected by war, poverty, and disease. Working in both the humanitarian and development contexts, Right To Play is supported by an international team of top athletes from over 40 countries who inspire children, are role models for healthy lifestyle choices and help raise awareness and funding for Right To Play projects.

Action:

Right To Play has projects in more than 23 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East and their sport and play programs are focused in four strategic areas: Basic Education and Child Development, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Peace Education, and Community Development and Participation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guides their work. Right To Play programs target the most marginalized children including girls, the disabled, children affected by HIV and AIDS, street children, former child combatants, and refugees.

Impact:

Everyday the positive impact sport and play has on the communities where Right To Play works is witnessed. Some of the positive impacts on children that have been reported from the field include: a reduction in violent behavior, a reduction on levels of ethnic violence, an increase in school attendance, new professional opportunities as a result of the coach training program, empowerment of girls, strengthening of refugee-host country relations, and the teaching of HIV/AIDS education and important health messaging that helps children develop an interest in their own well-being.