In the context of the UNICEF campaign “Lima: ciudad que se juega por la no violencia hacia su niñez,” the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee President, Carlos Neuhaus, the Mayor of Lima Jorge Muñoz, and the UNICEF Deputy Representative, Olga Isaza, signed a big Peruvian football jersey, to confirm their commitment to fight against any form of violence against children.
This strategic alliance between Lima 2019, the Municipality of Lima, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), seeks to promote the commitment of citizens to eliminate any form of violence affecting children and teenagers, and turn this fight into the social legacy of the Games.
Lima citizens can also be part of this campaign by signing the jersey, which will be visiting the sports and cultural venues of the Games. For the time being, the Mayor of Lima expressly requested it to be displayed today at the City Hall’s balcony.
In this matter, Neuhaus emphasized that Lima 2019 Games must be the start of a new way of thinking for all citizens using the sports values that will govern the competitions.
“The Games are a great opportunity to mark a turning point, not only in the sports field, but in the citizens’ behavior too. We are trying to become a first world country, a country that respects the rules, so young adults and children can live in a better world, different than the one we’re living in today. We can't keep living in a violent city. I thank this initiative because it will help us become first world citizens,” he stated.
On the other hand, Muñoz also emphasized ethical support, as it is the base of any sports competition in the world, and the civic legacy it will leave for Peruvians.
“I believe in alliances. We have to take the opportunity the Games are giving us to be proud, as Peruvians, of what we can achieve. Important things will come: there will be a sports and social legacy, as values of great importance will be spread. Children and teenagers are not the future, as it is said, but the present of our society.
Moreover, the Deputy Representative of UNICEF congratulated the work done by Lima 2019 and its social significance.
“It is an honor and a pleasure to share this mission with COPAL and the Municipality of Lima. I want to congratulate Lima 2019, which has set a great example as organizers of this Pan American event. Their work not only inspires us, but it will be a good example of how the Olympic Games are going to be to young adults and it will highlight the importance of health, discipline and care for others. These are the core values of such a spectacular event,” she said.
This campaign's objective is to turn this fight for the non-violence against children one of the Lima 2019 Games legacies. It is made of five communication pieces: a video featuring the Peruvian athlete Maitte Torres and three posters and a radio spot that will be posted at Games venues, social media of organizing institutions and different digital media, such as LED screens located in main Peruvian avenues.
ABOUT LIMA 2019
The opening ceremony of the Lima 2019 Pan American Games will be held at the National Stadium on July 26, 2019. This continental event will gather 6680 athletes from 41 countries and delegations from the Americas.
There will be 17 days of competitions and ceremonies between July 26 and August 11, which will take place in 14 districts of Lima and Callao at various venues like VIDENA, Villa María Sports Center, Callao Regional Village, Villa El Salvador Sports Center, Punta Rocas, among others.
The Lima 2019 Pan American Games will include 39 sports and 62 disciplines, in which athletes will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals. A total of 22 disciplines are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The Parapan American Games will welcome 1890 Para athletes from 33 countries, who will participate in 17 sports and 18 disciplines. Competitions will take place from August 23 to September 1, 2019. Thirteen sports will be qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.