“Driven by the richness of the Olympic World Heritage, Wealth and I.D.E.A.L.S. – Olympism for Humanity Academy aims to prepare the Next Generation of scholars, educators, artists, sport, media, community leaders, foreign affairs policy-makers- and citizens- to serve humanity as Olympic Champions of Change across fragile regions and communities in need. Actualizing, in other words, the essence of the Olympic idea & Delphi ideals: peace, health and democracy actualization- through scientific, theoretically informed, data driven Actions (Binder, 2001, Chalip, 2015; Georgiades, 2009, Lyras, 2003, 2007, 2012, 2020, 2021, 2024; Lyras & Yiannakis 2023; Yiannakis, 1989, 1992). ”
Dr. Alexis Lyras, O4H Founder & President
Mastering Olympic Literacy & Champions of Change Competencies
Join our Champions of Change Academic Certificate Program!
Olympism for Humanity Alliance (O4H), the Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CIED) at Georgetown University (GU), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), the International Olympic Academy (IOA), the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTh) and Olympism for Humanity Allies across continents, have joined forces to establish an Olympism for Humanity Champions of Change Certificate Program to prepare free, democratic global citizens who are trained to Champion Change across fragile regions and communities.
Olympism for Humanity Academy takes part at the birthplace of the Olympic idea, Political Philosophy, Peace Education, Democracy for Innovation and Ideals: in Delphi, Athens and Ancient Olympia. Our O4H Champions of Change Certificate program serves as a Global Academic Innovation Hub for preserving and embracing the Olympic idea as a peacebuilding platform and an enabler for the UN SDGs. Through our universal Applied Olympic Studies-Sport for Development O4H learning model, participants across continents develop a personal portfolio with guidelines on how to design and deliver data driven “social innovation ventures” to champion collective and systemic change across agencies, in their respective communities.
When, Where & For How Long ?
Academic Certificate Program Outline
OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE LITERACY- A B C – CERTIFICATE OPTIONS
Participants can attend a 30-hour hybrid in-country, one to one mentoring, in-person and online training and field experience, which is spread out over a period of 3-5 months, and/or combine onsite residential training in Greece (Athens, Ancient Olympia, Delphi), Cyprus, Washington D.C., Japan and Paris. Participants can select one or multiple options as each training session advance different Champions of Change skills and competencies. The intensive weeklong residential training sessions in Greece, Cyprus, Japan, Washington DC and Paris entail 30 hours training, blended field trips, workshops, world Olympic history and cultural enrichment tailored to the unique culture and history of each destination. O4HA currently accepts applications for Option A+: O4H Academy in Greece.
OPTION A+ : GREECE – RESIDENTIAL IN DELPHI, ATHENS & ANCIENT OLYMPIA – JUNE 28 – JULY 7, 2025
Option A+ : O4H Academy in Greece (June 15-25, 2026): Thematic Areas: International Relations in a Troubled World, Olympic Heritage, Omniculturism and Humanism, Genesis of the Olympic ideals, Philosophy, Design Thinking, Ethics and Sport Integrity, Global Health and Democracy in Action. Integrated Olympism for Humanity (O4H) and Sport for Development Theory (SFDT) and Praxis, Olympism and Sport as an enabler for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The A+ Cycle of training will take place in Athens, Delphi and Ancient Olympia at the premisses of the International Olympic Academy with an optional additional orientation and closure day before and after training in Athens (additional 2 days optional days in Athens).
*Applications for our Summer 2026 O4H Academy in Greece are now open
Click Here to Submit Your Application
O4H Academy for Innovation & Diplomacy
O4H Academic Partners
Who Can Attend the Program?
Champions of Change from Academia, Educational Systems & Across Agencies
Olympism for Humanity Theory and Praxis: A call for peace and democracy champions of change
This Academic Professional Development Certificate Program embraces systemic change tailored to local needs and across educational systems, agencies and contexts. Our data-driven Global Olympic Education venture intersects the richness of the World Olympic Heritage, Peacebuilding, Omniculturism, Democracy Actualization, Global Health and Sustainable Development, also known as Olympism in Action (Albanidis, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2023; Burns, 2014, 2015, 2021; IOC, 2013, 2018; Lyras, 2003, 2007, 2012, 2020, 2021; Mandigo et al., 2016, 2018; Moghaddam, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021).
The universality of the O4H methodology provides the opportunity for multiple stakeholders across disciplines and domains to work together towards achieving Humanity in Action shared goals and objectives. The First target group aims the infusion of Olympism-based curricula in Primary and Secondary educational systems, the second, for Academic teaching, research and community outreach in Tertiary Educational Systems and the third, working professionals across agencies. The Olympism in Action – Champions of Change Certificate curriculum is designed for three different groups outlined in the following section.
Target Group 1: Academics & Educators – Academic League
Recruitment Target Group 1: Academic Champions of Change, Faculty and Educators, Graduate Students and Researchers across disciplines. (e.g. International Affairs, Education, Conflict Resolution & Development Studies, Performing Arts, Cultural Studies, Community Health, Sport & Physical Education)
Target Group 2: Youth in Action – Under 20 League
Recruitment Target Group 2: U20 Champions of Change from Secondary Educational Systems & Civil Society
Target Group 3: Working Professionals – Open League
Recruitment Target 3: Foreign Affairs Policy-makers and Practitioners, Athletes, Coaches, Administrators, Journalists and Media professionals, ESG-CSR Officers and Practitioners; Social Workers and Community Agents; Officers and Practitioners from National & International Federations, Olympic Committees & Academies, Sport, Cultural & Humanitarian Institutions
Olympic Literacy & Academic Diplomacy in Action
What Will Participants Gain?
Program participants gain in-depth understanding and master practical skills and competencies to champion the establishment, assessment and delivery of impactful Olympism in Action events, programs and curricula. Through this training, participants will develop a personal portfolio which will entail a toolkit with guidelines on how to Champion social impact ventures that address local needs and challenges across contexts. The aim is to promote systemic and collective change across agencies by creating peaceful, inclusive, caring, healthy, just and resilient democratic communities that are physically active, culturally sensitive and civically engaged.
Takeaway, Impact, Outcomes & Prospects
The Olympism For Humanity Certificate Program is centered on the use of Olympic idea, Humanity Virtues and ideals as a peacebuilding vehicle for embracing Integrity and Justice, Human Development and Democracy Actualization. Our educational model is grounded on solid scientific Theory and Data Driven Interventions that by evidence, lead to humanism, social inclusion and change agency (see interconnected O4H-SFD-AMC Model, Lyras, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2020, 2014, 2021). The program blends global citizenship and peace education with community-based learning and civic engagement. Certificate Program participants will:
- Internalize virtues of humanity, freedom and democracy- and build a robust profile and skillset for high-competitive academic excellence and scholarship
- Enrich their resume for further academic and professional advancements
- Be part of a worldwide Academic Diplomacy network of likeminded peers committed to Championing Change, Justice and Integrity across fragile regions and communities
- Gain proficiency and practical skills and competencies on the role of Olympism and Sport as important enablers of the Sustainable Development Goals
- Gain proficiency and in-depth understanding how to manage and coordinate the establishment and delivery of impactful Olympism in Action programs
- Build a toolkit and a rich Olympism in Society portfolio of replicable intercultural education activities, teaching and fundraising material, Monitoring and Evaluation tools and community-driven curricula
- Become proficient in Olympism for Humanity (O4H) Literacy and gain the essential knowledge, skills and competencies to meet the challenges of the 21st Century
O4H Academy – Summer 2026 at the Premisses of the International Olympic Academy
35 Years Applied Knowledge Production & Data-driven Programming
O4H Competency Framework, Literacy & Actualization
Our Olympic Literacy model is integrating data-driven transdiciplinary applied knowledge production – and blend Olympism for Humanity (O4H) and Sport for Development Theories (SFDT) with Praxis (Lyras, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2020, 2021, 2023). The central function of O4H and SFD Theories aims “to provide a universal platform across disciplines and contexts for assessing and enriching, personal and institutional capacity and to optimize Olympism for peace and sustainable development, research and programming. The notion here is to test, trace and transform today’s Olympic divide into academic pathways of personal and social change, democracy, peace, and justice. Moving closer, in other words, to Olympism for Humanity Actualization”. (Lyras, 2021 p. 663).
Inspired and guided by the richness of the Olympic World Heritage, the CIED-O4H Georgetown University Certificate Program is built on a synthesis, applied scholarship and collective work of award-winning initiatives implemented since 1993, ranging from data driven youth programs in regions of conflict, to multinational student engagement initiatives in close collaboration with the International Olympic Academy, the Muhammad Ali Institute of Peace and Justice, schools, universities and orphanages across continents. Focusing on action (“Praxis”), these initiatives have been very successful for 30 years. Our work is built on field-based learning in multiple universities, high schools, NGOs and youth agencies across continents targeting homeless and underserved youth in the US and in India; capacity building in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Guatemala, Colombia, Botswana, Trinidad and Tobago, peacebuilding and at-risk youth in Cyprus and South Africa, Youth Programs and Olympism for Humanity and Sport for Development professional training in Delphi, Athens, Thessaloniki and Ancient Olympia; and disaster recovery in tsunami-affected areas in Japan as part of the Tokyo 2020 Games Academic legacy endeavors (Albanides, 2014, 2017, 2018; Burns, 2014, 2012; Faniopoulos, 2017, 2022; Green, 2015; Mandigo et al., 2016, 2018; Kyriakides, 2013, 2014; Loutsiou, 2017; Lyras, 2007, 2012, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022; Miller, 2014, 2020; Moghaddam 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021; Vrasidas 2014, 2014, 2017; Sugden, 1991, 2017; Yiannakis, 1989, 1992; Lyras & Welty Peachey, 2011, 2016; Welty Peachey 2014; Welty Peachey et. al, 2013a, 2013b, 2014, 2015a, 20215b).
Olympic Literacy, Impact and Innovation Across Agencies
LA 2028 Games: SAILing for tomorrow with Humanity G.O.A.L.S.
2026 O4H Academic Forum
Peace, Health & Democracy Academic Forum
Parallel to our O4H training program, the O4H Academy is organizing a showcase O4H Academic Forum to advance transdisciplinary, academic human-centered alliances, applied scholarship and educational opportunities that amplify our collective effort across fragile regions and communities. Over the last ten years- the main highlights and compass of our O4H Academic Fora and Summits were Professors’ Fathali Moghaddam, Barbara Burns and Alexis Lyras‘ keynote addresses. They all emphasized the connection between Olympism and Humanism as a peacebuilding transdisciplinary platform for embracing omniculturism, a collective sense of humanity, personal and democracy actualization, community health, social innovation and resilience (Burns, 2014, 2015, 2021; Lyras 2013, 2014, 2020, 2021; Moghaddam, 2014, 2020). These foundations are integrated in our Olympism for Humanity (O4H) and Sport For Development (SFD) Theories and serve as a universal transdisciplinary blueprint for applied knowledge production, academic teaching, social innovation, community development, fundraising and data-driven Humanity in Action ventures – across continents (Lyras, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2020, 2021, 2023).
Our Summer 2026 O4H Peace, Health & Democracy Academic Forum will take place in Olympia on June 23, 2026. Join us!
How Much Does it Cost?
Professional Development Certificate Program Expenses
Certificate Program Fees
Academic Certificate Program Fees for Residential Training in Greece: 1,500 USD + Residential Expenses
Participants with outstanding potential are eligible to submit their application for financial assistance through our scholarship program, which was made feasible through the generous donations and support from our Major Sponsors, Strategic Partners and Supporters. Click here to submit your application!
*Certificate Program Fees cover only the academic expenses of the Certificate Program
**Airfare, food and accommodation expenses are not included in this estimate
*** Please see below for a detailed breakdown of the Residential Expenses Fees for our Summer 2026 Program in Greece
Residential Expenses in Greece
O4H Academy Greece, Summer 2026 (Option A+) : (a) Accommodation and food for ten days, Opening & Closing Ceremony in Athens, Delphi and Olympia at the Premisses of the International Olympic Academy, (1100 USD ) and (b) Transportation from Athens, to Olympia, Delphi and back to Athens (400 USD)
NOTE: Participants who can secure their accommodation, food and transportation on their own, will not have to pay Residential Expenses fees.
O4H Peace, Health and Democracy Summit (TBA): (a) Summit Registration Fees 200 USD and (b) 2 nights Residential-Accommodation fees- 220 USD double rooms (*depending upon IOA’s room availability).
*Certificate Program Applications for Greece are now open
**Airfare and visa expenses are not included in this estimate
Fellowship & Scholarship Opportunities
Champions of Change with outstanding potential can apply for partial or full Scholarships (U20 Youth League Candidates) and Fellowship (Open and Academic League Candidates). This will be made possible due to the invaluable support from our Institutional Partners: International Olympic Academy, Georgetown University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Olympism for Humanity Alliance; our Strategic Partners ECOMMBX; Costas Papaellinas Organization Limited (CPO) , Charalambides Christies and PCDN Global; and our Institutional Supporters Altius Boutique hotel and Nicosia Municipality
O4H Strategic Partners
Institutional Supporters
Click Here to Submit Your Application
Applications for our O4H Summer 2026 Program are now Open
Click Here to Submit Your Application
Contact info: info@O4HA.org
Click Here to Request a Virtual Meeting with the Program Director
Champions of Change & Olympic Literacy with H.O.P.E. & Praxis
ADDITIONAL O4H CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE TRAINING OPTIONS
OPTION A : VIRTUAL IN COUNTRY 3 – 5 MONTH-LONG ONLINE or HYBRID
Option A: Olympism for Humanity Champions of Change Foundations (Spring 2027): A 3-5 months long one to one and country-wide training and capacity building program. This CIED-O4H Georgetown University professional training program entails 30 hours training, one to one mentoring, workshops, lectures and 20 hours field experience to master the delivery of purpose-driven Olympism in Action programs and initiatives. The country-wide training methodology is being adjusted to each country’s context, needs and priorities. It entails (a) 3 days X 5 hours in person or online training sessions implemented in over an intensive weekend training session, (b) one to one session and online lectures, (c) Mentored Olympism in Action – Praxis field experience. This option is available across continents – without borders!
OPTION B: JAPAN – RESIDENTIAL IN TOKYO, HIROSHIMA & FUKUSHIMA- SUMMER 2027
Option B: O4H Academy in Japan (B) (Summer 2027): Tokyo 2020 Games, Bushido, Japanese Culture, Heritage and History, Community Regeneration and Recovery from Manmade and Natural Disasters, Mindfulness and Resilience. Program participants will have the opportunity to visit selected Tokyo 2020 venues – and understand the complexity, richness and beauty of the Japanese culture and history via an 8 day intensive training and field experience across Japan.
OPTION C: RESIDENTIAL IN CYPRUS (TBA)
Option C : O4H Academy in Cyprus (TBA): Integrated Olympic Heritage, Olympism for Humanity (O4H) and Sport for Development Theory (SFDT) and Praxis, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Sport and Peacebuilding, Doves Olympic Movement Project, Olympic Youth Camps, Applied Sociology of Sport, Social Innovation and Design Thinking, Academic Diplomacy, Humanism and Democracy in Action.
OPTION D : USA – RESIDENTIAL IN WASHINGTON D.C. & Maryland (SUMMER 2027)
Option DC: O4H Academy in the USA – Washington D.C. & Maryland (Summer 2028): Academic and Cultural Diplomacy, Global Affairs, United Nations SDGs, Sport and Peacebuilding, Mutual Radicalization and Democracy Actualization.
Memories from the Tokyo 2020 Tokyo Games & Flame Ceremony
Copyright 2012-2025, Olympism For Humanity Alliance, Inc. – All rights reserved.
o4ha.org 