Press release 3 November 2009

Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson launces International Inspiration in Jordan

International Inspiration, a core strand of London 2012’s international education programme, officially launched yesterday in Jordan, the 7th country to implement to programme.

The launch, attended by Prince Ra`ad Zeid, Professor Walid Al Ma`ani, Minster of Education and Higher Education, James Watt, British Ambassador to Jordan and eleven-time Paralympic gold medallist and International Inspiration Ambassador Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson took place in the Jordanian Paralympic hall in central Amman, where an agreement between the Jordanian and the British governments was signed to officially launch the programme.

International Inspiration (II) is a core strand of London 2012’s international education programme and will use the power of sport to transform the lives of 12 million children and young people of all abilities, in 20 countries by 2012. Formally recognised by the International Olympic Committee, II represents a first from the Olympic and Paralympic movements for children and young people.

In Jordan – the only country in the Middle East involved in the programme - II will specifically use sport to:

•Tackle exclusion and promote inclusion by reaching girls and marginalised children including those with disabilities.

•Empower young people by providing key life skills such as leadership training

•Strengthen the provision of physical education, sport and play in schools and communities.

•Connect UK and Jordanian schools to share best practice, culture and learning’s

The aim is to reach over 1 million young people in the country over 3 years.

By bringing together a number of key organisations in Jordan including several government ministries, II will contribute to the achievement of several long-term objectives including greater gender equality, improvements in the quality of education, child development and child protection including the promotion of healthy active lifestyles and protection from violence, abuse and injuries.

Following the signing ceremony, 300 Jordanian children from local schools and youth centres participated in a celebratory sports festival, which itself had been planned and co-ordinated by 50 ‘young leaders’ who have received leadership and life skills training through II and are also involved in the UK-Jordanian School Links component of the programme.

Mark Jessel, British Council Director Jordan, said:

“Through International Inspiration over 1 million children in Jordan will be reached, including girls and marginalised children, who will participate in quality physical education, sport and play which would lead to healthier lives”

International inspiration is a result of a unique partnership of public and private organisations. The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has joined forces with the programme’s key delivery partners, UK Sport, UNICEF UK and the British Council to bring International Inspiration to fruition as a core strand of the London 2012 International education programme.

Working in partnership with local implementation partners is a key aspect to the approach of International Inspiration. Local Jordanian partners of International Inspiration include: Jordan Olympic Committee, Jordan Paralympic Committee, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Ministry of Health, Higher Council for Youth, Higher Council for the Affairs of People with Disabilities, Queen el-Sharaf Institute for Development, Royal Health Awareness Society, University of Jordan, United Nations Relief and Works Agency and Right To Play.”

Eleven-time Paralympic gold medallist and International Inspiration Ambassador Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson added:

“I’ve seen and experienced how the Olympic and Paralympic games can transform young lives and inspire young peoples to great things, but I believe that London 2012 is doing something unique.

Through International Inspiration the transformative power of sport and the Olympics will be unleashed for the benefit of millions of children, young people and their communities around the world.

I have been lucky to see how here in Jordan International Inspiration will use sport, physical education and play to provide young people with skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life, but also to ensure no child, no matter their abilities, their gender or their social status is excluded. This is an Olympic and Paralympic legacy to be proud of, and one that I am excited to be part of.”