Join our Champions of Change Program in Ancient Olympia June 3-9, 2024
O4H – CIED Georgetown University Certificate Program
The current state of global affairs is underlining the fragility of our world and highlight the fine lines between hatred and war, radicalization and conflict. It brings back devastating memories of human suffering – and it amplifies the urgency for immediate and collective action, grounded on the universal values of Democracy, Human Dignity and Freedom – foundations that aim at promoting global peace and security by respecting and preserving democratic values, as well as fundamental human rights, dignity and freedoms.
In response to these challenges and state of global affairs, Olympism for Humanity Academy (O4HA), the Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CEID) at Georgetown University (GU), the International Olympic Academy (IOA), the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and Olympism for Humanity Allies across continents, have joined forces to establish a global academic Olympism in Action sport diplomacy program to prepare free, democratic global citizens who are ready to serve and Champion Change across fragile regions and communities. Our data driven global venture intersects Olympic Heritage, Peacebuilding, Omniculturism, Democracy Actualization, Global Health and Sustainable Development, also known as Olympism in Action (Burns, 2014, 2015, 2021; IOC, 2013, 2018; Lyras, 2003, 2007, 2012, 2020, 2021; Mandigo et al., 2016, 2018; Moghaddam, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021).
Olympic Literacy & Academic Diplomacy in Action
Our O4H Champions of Change Academic program serves as a world-wide academic diplomacy platform and an Olympism in Action Global Innovation Hub for embracing Olympism and Sport as a peacebuilding platform and an enabler for the UN SDGs, children’s rights and responsibilities, equity and integrity, community health, regeneration and resilience. The aim is to promote systemic and collective change by creating peaceful, inclusive, healthy and resilient democratic communities that are physically active, culturally sensitive and civically engaged.
Through our hybrid online and field-based training methodology, participants across continents will 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. The vision is to develop incubators of “Champions of Change” across the globe with knowledge and tools on how to effectively design and deliver conflict transformation, democracy actualization, community health and sustainable development ventures, inspired and guided by the universality of the Olympic World Cultural Heritage- what we call- Olympic Literacy (Lyras, 2020, 2021, 2023). The first cycle of the O4H-CIED Georgetown University Certificate Program took place at the birthplace of the Olympic idea, Sport and Peacebuilding, Philosophy and Democracy – in Athens and Ancient Olympia on July 3-9, 2023.
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 and resilient democratic communities that are physically active, culturally sensitive and civically engaged.
Mastering Champions of Change & Olympism in Action Skills & Competencies
Takeaway, Impact, Outcomes & Prospects
The CIED-O4H Georgetown University Olympism in Action Certificate Program is centered on the use of Olympic idea, Humanity Values and ideals as a peacebuilding vehicle for embracing 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 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
June 3-9, 2024 at the Premisses of the International Olympic Academy
O4H Academy for Sport Diplomacy
O4H Academic Partners
When, Where & For How Long ?
OLYMPISM IN ACTION 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 ATHENS & ANCIENT OLYMPIA – JUNE 2024
Option A+ : O4H Academy in Greece (June, 3-9 2024): Thematic Areas: International Relations in a Troubled World, Olympic Heritage, Multiculturalism and Humanism, Genesis of the Olympic ideals, Philosophy, Design Thinking, 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 and Ancient Olympia at the premisses of the International Olympic Academy on July 3-9, 2023 with an optional additional orientation and closure day before and after training in Athens (June 2-10 optional).
OPTION A : VIRTUAL IN COUNTRY 3 – 5 MONTH-LONG ONLINE or HYBRID
Option A: Olympism for Humanity Champions of Change Foundations (Ongoing): 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!
*Applications for Greece and Hybrid training (A) and (A+) are now open
Click Here to Submit Your Application
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 O4H-CIED GU Certificate embraces systemic change tailored to local needs and across educational systems, agencies and contexts. Our universal design 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
How Much Does it Cost?
CIED-O4H Georgetown University Certificate Program Expenses
Certificate Program Fees
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 Program in Greece
Residential Expenses in Greece
O4H Academy Greece, June 2-10 2024 (Option A+) : Accommodation and food for eight days, Site Visits, Transportation Athens-Olympia, Opening & Closing Ceremony: (a) Athens-Olympia (750 USD Triple Rooms) or (b) Athens- Olympia (1000 USD Double Rooms) at the Premisses of the International Olympic Academy.
O4H Peace, Health and Democracy Summit (June 7-8, 2024): (a) Summit Registration Fees 100 USD and (b) 2 nights Residential-Accommodation fees- 200 USD double rooms and 300 USD for single rooms (depending upon IOA’s room availability).
NOTE: Participants who have secured their accommodation, food and transportation on their own, will not have to pay Residential Expenses fees.
*Certificate Program Applications for Greece Hybrid training 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
O4H Peace & Democracy Summit
Parallel to our O4H training program, the O4H Academy is organizing a showcase O4H Summit 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 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 2024 Tenth Anniversary O4H Peace & Democracy Summit will take place in Olympia in June 7-8, 2024. Join us!
30 Years Applied Knowledge Production & Data-driven Programming
Olympism for Humanity 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
Applications for our O4H Summer 2024 Program are now Open
Tokyo 2020 Tokyo Games & Flame Ceremony
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 OPTIONS
OPTION B: JAPAN – RESIDENTIAL IN TOKYO, HIROSHIMA & FUKUSHIMA- SPRING 2025
Option B: O4H Academy in Japan (B) (Spring 2025): 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 SUMMER 2025
Option C : O4H Academy in Cyprus (Residential Summer 2025): 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. SPRING- 2025
Option DC: O4H Academy in the USA – Washington D.C. & Maryland (Spring 2025): Academic and Cultural Diplomacy, Global Affairs, United Nations SDGs, Sport and Peacebuilding, Mutual Radicalization and Democracy Actualization.
Humanity G.O.A.L.S. & Vision
Paris 2024 Games
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