Since 2013, the Judo for Peace (JFP) Commission has been extremely active in different areas of the world.

Activities have been focused on three kinds of region; conflict, post-conflict and socially disordered.

Some of the projects led by the JFP Commission are purely peace projects, while in others, JFP is part of more global programmes such as the Judo Educational Journeys (JEJs) through the likes of China, Canada and Oceania.

The International Judo Federation (IJF) has a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), whose youth leadership training camps are regularly participated in by the JFP Commission.

The JFP Commission collaborates with the other IJF Commissions involved in education and particularly with the Educational and Coaching Commission and the Judo for Children Commission.

JFP programmes

From 2015, with the support of the Turkish Judo Federation, the IJF has been developing a large programme in Syrian refugee camps within 60 kilometres of the city of Aleppo while under the bombs.

JFP is also present in the Maheba and Dzaleka refugee camps in Zambia and Malawi respectively, hosting thousands of African refugees.

For many years, the IJF has also been present in the Great Lakes region of Africa and provides logistical, financial and human support to lay the foundations for a more prosperous future in Burundi and Rwanda.

“The philosophy and pragmatic approach of our Judo for Peace programmes, combined with other educational value-added actions, allow us to be present at all levels of society, whether in areas of armed conflict or areas with social problems,” IJF President Marius Vizer says.

“I can guarantee that all those programmes have a positive impact on the beneficiaries.

“The challenges are numerous and our efficiency is increased with our strong and effective partnerships with the United Nations, for example, or with the Olympic Movement or with internationally-renowned organisations such as Peace and Sport.”