A/HRC/27/58 many conflicts.45 In the current peace process and in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals, sports play a relevant role which is directly linked to poverty reduction, inclusion and equality of opportunities. In this process, the media can take an essential part for the common goal of peace.46 Practice of sport and its impressive attracting power have allowed peoples living in high-risk areas or rivalry zones to meet at diverse sport activities through several programmes. This has increased socialization without violent confrontations and has contributed to acceptation and tolerance, favouring social cohesion.47 44. In post-conflict societies, the use of sport and the values of the Olympic Movement can offer an alternative life model and an outlet for the energy of youth, life training through rules, respect for one’s opponent and tolerance of difference. In non-post-conflict societies the first step is to tolerate the specific characteristics of others, respect their human rights and defend them when needed. The next step is to enhance cross-cultural exchange and teach the young generation to eliminate the causes of conflict like sex discrimination and marginalization of social groups for cultural reasons. Sport can help educate people about these values, especially youth.48 Sport also helps eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, promotes gender equality, reduces child mortality, improves maternal health and develops a global partnership for development.49 45. Sports play an important role in promoting international relations among peoples and open up the field of competition between amateur and professional athletics. Exchanging visits away from the political conflicts lead to the expression of love and cooperation and thus help politicians to solve a lot of problems. Moreover, athletes are considered as ambassadors of peace, cooperation and friendship between the peoples through their participation at local and international levels.50 46. Sports can also advance the cause of peace by bridging social, economic and cultural divides and building a sense of shared identity. It is important for States to cooperate with IOC and the International Paralympic Committee to use sport as a tool to promote peace, dialogue and reconciliation in areas of conflict during and beyond the period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.51 I. Media, sport and human rights 47. The media is a critical stakeholder and has an essential role in the promotion of human rights in as far as information dissemination is concerned. Because it has the power to shape public opinion, it can illustrate how sport can translate into respect for human rights and promote social cohesion and acceptance of diversity.52 Media use mass communication tools during commentaries of football and other sporting events and can easily disseminate human rights promotion messages during such events.53 Moreover, the mass media could play a pivotal role in either encouraging or discouraging human rights in sport. The sentimental reporting has a negative impact, while factual reporting increases 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 Response of Ignasi Grau. Response of Colombia. Response of Guatemala. Response of Greece. Response of the Religious Freedom Youth Network (RFYN), India. Response of Saudi Arabia. General Assembly resolution 66/5. Response of Cyprus. Response of the Malawi Human Rights Commission. 11