Today marks an important and some might say remarkable milestone in the Youth Charter journey from a Moss Side tragedy in the loss of a 14-year-old schoolboy, Benji Stanley, to a global inspired movement of Sport for Development and Peace.

Over the last number of days, the Youth Charter timeline has covered our three decades of work through images of the many faces of diverse collaboration and partnership that has seen public, private, third sector sporting institutions and governments respond with initiatives, strategies, programmes and projects that are again evidenced by the YC series of reports that provide testament to our international student programme.

The sportsmen and women who signed the Youth Charter scroll as a symbol of the social, cultural disaffection and disadvantage that saw them reflect their communities and inspire change all now contribute to the challenges that we still face in providing the mental, physical and emotional health and wellbeing that we, at the Youth Charter believe is a fundamental human right for all children and young people across the five continents, inner city, suburban or rural.

With our journey to date reflecting the bidding, hosting and legacy of major games, our continued #Fight4theStreets, #Call2Action and #LegacyOpportunity4All will reflect our vision, mission, objectives and values.

I would like to take this opportunity of thanking those who have supported us, those who have not and those who will in the future.

To have the Mandela legacy and spirit of Ubuntu reflect our Community Campus and Float Like a Butterfly Social Coach Leadership Programme characterized by the Greatest in Muhammad Ali is testament enough and still motivated by lives lost, family’s grief and the communities that still need to be engaged, equipped and empowered.

Our work continues as part of a lifelong commitment to effect change and ensure it is a sustainable and authentic collaboration for the young people and communities across the globe.