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Ancient Olympic Truce tradition's modern peacekeeping potential
1. Ekecheiria Revival: Re-establishing the Ancient Olympic Truce in Modern-day Peacekeeping Presented by Cindy Burleson, International Olympic Academy 17th Annual Seminar for Post Graduates July 6, 2009, Olympia Email: cindyburleson@hotmail.com
2. Abstract The purpose of this study is to explore how Ekecheiria, or Olympic Truce, can move the world towards a culture of peace. To do so, a case study method is employed to test the hypothesis that Olympic Truce improves diplomatic relations. The findings show that in observing the principles of Ekecheiria, truce can move the world towards a culture of peace. Research Question Can the ancient Olympic tradition of truce move the world towards a culture of peace? Importance of question Olympic Truce was the basis for The Games in ancient times. In a period of constant war, it became necessary for Greece to establish the “Ekecheiria,” or truce, to ensure competition would take place under conditions of fairness and the order of administered rules. Some have said that during the Ekecheiria period of competition there was a general laying down of arms. Others say that the Ekecheiria peaceful period of competition does not constitute real peace; rather it represents only a truce. Regardless of how long a truce last, if the Olympic Truce is credited with causing legendary periods of peace, then truce is worth exploring as a peace-keeping tool. Hypothesis As a peace-keeping tool, Olympic Truce improves diplomatic relations on a short-term basis, providing the conditions necessary for longer-term peace to occur. As honoring Olympic Truce increases, short-term peace increases. As short term peace increases, long-term peace increases. Methodology The methodology used to test this hypothesis is a case study of the 1998 Nagano Olympic Winter Games. Variables are observance of Olympic Truce as set forth in United Nations resolutions, the diplomatic intervention of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and the resulting diplomatic resolution to the crisis in Iraq. Findings Olympic truce can move the world towards a culture of peace. Keywords: International Development, Olympic Studies, Olympic Truce, Ekecheiria, Sport for Development Ekecheiria Revival: Re-establishing the Ancient Olympic Truce in Modern-day Peacekeeping Presented by Cindy Burleson, to the International Olympic Academy 17th Annual Seminar for Post Graduates in Olympia, Greece June 6, 2009 Email: cindyburleson@hotmail.com
5. Case Study Winter Olympics 98 Japan pleads for no military action during games Japan is hoping the games will not be overshadowed by international conflict Japan's Foreign Minister has asked the United States to refrain from taking any military action against Iraq during the Winter Olympic Games. Foreign Minister Keizo Obuchi expressed Japan's concern about the possible outbreak of hostilities during the games in a late Friday evening phone conversation with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, according to a statement released by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. Ms Albright said that she understood Japan's position, but asked for Japan's full support in backing a US-led effort to force Iraq to abide by a UN-directed weapons inspections, the statement said. Earlier Mr. Obuchi conveyed Japan's concerns to Britain and France. Japan wants its allies to respect a non-binding resolution the United Nations passed in November urging countries to avoid any hostilities with one another during the Olympics. IOC backing On Tuesday the International Olympic Committee asked the Clinton administration to hold fire during the Olympics, which end on February 22. And in Nagano, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch expressed confidence that Washington would find a peaceful solution to the crisis with Iraq. On Saturday, at the opening ceremony he reiterated the message of peace in his speech. He appealed to the 185 member states of the United Nations to observe the Olympic truce and use diplomacy to solve conflicts. "The future of our society truly lies in our youth. Let us build together for them a peaceful and better world," he added. Tensions are growing between the Iraq and the international community over the issue of UN inspections. Military build-up The United States has been increasing the size of its military presence in the Gulf for a possible military attack on Iraq over its non-compliance with UN weapons inspections. President Bill Clinton has said no decision has been made to attack Iraq, but his defense secretary, William Cohen, said that the Olympics cannot figure in U.S. military planning. Iraq is not sending a delegation to the Nagano Games. Source: British Public Broadcasting
6. Findings The case study of the Nagano Olympic Winter Games provided the means to test the hypothesis, which was “Olympic Truce improves diplomatic relations on a short-term basis, providing the conditions for longer-term peace to emerge.” The first part of they hypothesis held true, because in the case study as honoring Olympic Truce increased, short-term peace increased. However, the second part of the hypothesis dealing with longer term peace is less conclusive. Otherwise stated, this part of the hypothesis says that as short-term peace increases, long-term peace increases. Though the Olympic Truce was helpful in achieving a short-term peace, in the long-run the US has invaded Iraq twice. It can be assumed that since this case study met with varied results, other conflicts could ware out much better. A recommended view is that Olympic truce can move us towards a culture of peace. In addition to diplomatic relations in foreign affairs, principles of the Olympic Truce can be applied in the everyday lives of individuals. The International Olympic Truce Centre currently supports the view that a major objective of the Olympic Truce is to promote peaceful coexistence among all people. Observance of the Olympic Truce calls for individuals to awaken consciousness and leaders to act conscientiously. Working towards the observance of the Olympic Truce means to encourage contact between adversaries, make humanitarian efforts easier in conflict-torn regions and help youth of the world participate peacefully in healthy competition. Extending the achievements of the Olympic Truce is to create structure for continued dialogue both during the Games and beyond. In the end, the Olympic Truce provides the vision for citizens of the world to build a global Culture of Peace. HYPOTHESIS—Olympic Truce improves diplomatic relations on a short-term basis, providing the conditions for longer-term peace to emerge TRUE—as honoring Olympic Truce increased, short-term peace increased. FALSE—as short-term peace increases, long-term peace increases RECOMMENDED VIEW—Olympic truce can move us towards a culture of peace.
7. The U.N. General Assembly has adopted an Olympic truce resolution for every Olympics since the early 1990s. Most recently the U.N. adopted an Olympic truce resolution for the 2008 Beijing Games that calls upon the 182 U.N. member states to observe and promote peace during and beyond the Games. In doing so it ignored assorted protest groups.
8. During the Beijing Games, much protest surrounded China’s position with Tibet and colossal carbon footprints. Human rights advocates called upon the international community to denounce disgraceful human rights practices. Even so, amidst the conflict between Russia and Georgia, the Olympic Truce was called upon in an optimistic appeal for peace.
9. “Olympic Truce in ancient days had the power to stop wars. In modern times, wars have the power to stop the Olympic Games.” Shall we revive Ekecheiria to the same statue it held in the ancient world ?
10. Step 1: Make future Olympic Truce Resolutions binding, instead of voluntary. To do that, future Olympic Truce resolutions would have be introduced through the UN Security Council. Resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council are the only agreements the UN may enforce. Step 2: Enforce the Truce. Enforcement need not be militaristic, rather enforcement could be symbolic. Further still, enforcement could generate development funds for underdeveloped countries.
11. Ekecheiria Revival: Re-establishing the Ancient Olympic Truce in Modern-day Peacekeeping Presented by Cindy Burleson, to the International Olympic Academy 17th Annual Seminar for Post Graduates in Olympia, Greece June 6, 2009 Email: cindyburleson@hotmail.com