A/HRC/RES/31/23 Recognizing the potential of sport as a universal language that contributes to educating people on the values of respect, dignity, diversity, equality, tolerance and fairness as a means to combat all forms of discrimination and to promote social inclusion for all, Recognizing also that sport and major sporting events can be used to promote awareness, understanding and the application of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Recognizing further the imperative need to engage women and girls in the practice of sport, and to enhance, to this end, their participation in sporting events at the national and international levels, Acknowledging the potential of sport and major sporting events to educate the youth of the world and to promote their inclusion through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires human understanding, tolerance, fair play and solidarity, Noting the Fundamental Principles of Olympism as enshrined in the Olympic Charter, Acknowledging the joint endeavours of the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the Office of the Special Adviser to the SecretaryGeneral on Sport for Development and Peace and the United Nations system in such fields as human development, poverty alleviation, humanitarian assistance, health promotion, HIV and AIDS prevention, child and youth education, gender equality, peacebuilding and sustainable development, Acknowledging also the importance of the Youth Olympic Games in inspiring youth through integrated sports and cultural and educational experiences, and noting in this regard the successful conclusion of the Second Youth Winter Olympic Games, held in Lillehammer, Norway, from 12 to 21 February 2016, Reaffirming the need to combat discrimination and intolerance where they occur, within and outside the sporting context, Recognizing that sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and other international major sporting events, such as the International Federation of Association Football World Cup, can be used to promote human rights and strengthen universal respect for them, thus contributing to their full realization, Acknowledging the valuable contribution that the appeal by the International Olympic Committee for an Olympic Truce, also known as ekecheiria, could make towards advancing the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Acknowledging also the very important role of the media in the promotion and popularization of sport and in raising public awareness of the merits of practicing it as a key element of a healthy lifestyle, thus contributing to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Acknowledging further that the media should be encouraged to report on how sport can translate into respect for human rights and promote social cohesion and acceptance of diversity and the values of sport, including integrity, teamwork, excellence, respect, tolerance, fair play and friendship, Welcoming the hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, PyeongChang, Tokyo and Beijing in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 respectively, and stressing the opportunity to promote human rights, especially through sport and the Olympic ideal, 2