O4HA Seeks to Address Global Challenges Through Academic Diplomacy Alliances, Applied Knowledge & Data-Driven Olympism for Humanity Actions

CIED – O4H Georgetown University Certificate Program

Olympic Literacy & Academic Diplomacy in Action

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 fundamental human rights and freedoms. Academic – and Cultural Diplomacy – in Action – can play a significant role in this process – by pioneering ventures and initiatives that preserve these foundations, embrace humanity and promote data driven solutions. In response to these challenges and the current state of global affairs, Olympism for Humanity (O4H), the Center for Intercultural Education and Development (CEID) at Georgetown University (GU) and the International Olympic Academy have joined forces to establish a global strategy and have launched a new Certificate program to prepare free, democratic citizens who are ready to serve as Peace and Democracy Champions of Change in our fragile global community. Our CIED-O4H Georgetown Certificate Progam intersects Olympic Heritage, Peacebuilding, Omniculturism, Democracy Actualization 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). The Vision – is to establish an Olympism for Humanity in Action global Academic Diplomacy network committed to the advancement of Democracy and Humanity in Action enterprises across continents.

The CIED-O4H Georgetown University Certificate Program serves as a world-wide academic diplomacy platform and a Global Innovation Hub for embracing Olympism, democracy actualization and humanism as a peacebuilding platform and an enabler for the UN SDGs, children’s rights and responsibilities, equity and integrity, community regeneration and resilience. It aims to prepare global citizens to advocate and lead change through Olympism in Action inclusive structures and purpose-driven initiatives. The aim is to promote systemic and collective change by creating peaceful, inclusive 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 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).

This venture was initially planned to start in August 2021 during the Tokyo 2020 Games as a long term Sustainable Academic Innovation Legacy program. Due to the global pandemic all our activities were postponed until October 25, 2022, a date that was marked with the official launch of our new CIED-O4H Georgetown University’s Olympism in Action Champions of Change Certificate Program as part of our Olympism for Humanity in Action Symposium. The event was dedicated to our beloved Olympic Champion of Change and Humanity- Dinos Michaelides (click here for more info). The first cycle of the CIED – O4H Georgetown University Certificate Program will take place at the birthplace of the Olympic idea, Sport and Peacebuilding, Philosophy and Democracy – in Athens and Ancient Olympia on 3-9 July, 2023 – Join us today!!!

Next Generation of Peace & Democracy Champions of Change

Driven by the essence of the Olympic Heritage and ideals – this academic program aims to prepare and support the next generation of Olympic Education and Olympism in Action scholars, foreign affairs agents, educators, artists, journalists, sport and community leaders, ESG – CSR officers and citizens who are trained to serve humanity as Peace and Democracy Champions of Change across fragile regions and communities in need. Actualizing, in other words, the essence of the Olympic idea and ideals- through scientific, theoretically informed, data driven Actions (Lyras, 2003, 2007, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023).

Program Objectives

Mastering Champions of Change & Olympism in Action Skills & Competencies

Program participants will 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 and resilient democratic communities that are physically active, culturally sensitive and civically engaged.

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 generous and invaluable support from our Institutional Partners: International Olympic Academy and Olympism for Humanity Alliance; our Golden Wreath Partners Ecommbx; our Strategic Partners Costas Papaellinas Organization Limited (CPO) , Charalambides Christies and PCDN Global; and our Institutional Supporters Altius Boutique hotel and Nicosia Municipality

Click Here to Submit Your Application

When, Where & For How Long ?

OLYMPISM IN ACTION LITERACY- A B C D E F – CERTIFICATE OPTIONS

Residential in Greece, Japan, Cyprus, USA, France & Hybrid Across Continents

Participants can attend a 30-hour hybrid in-country, one to one mentoring, in-person and online training and 20-hours mentored field experience, which is spread out over a period of 3 months, and/or combine onsite residential training in Japan (Tokyo, Hiroshima, Nagasaki), Greece (Athens, Ancient Olympia, Delphi, Nemea, Epidauros, Olympus Mountain and Dion), Cyprus, Washington D.C. 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. Below you can find more information about the structure and the content of these options:

OPTION A+ : GREECE – RESIDENTIAL IN ATHENS & ANCIENT OLYMPIA – JULY 2023

Option A+ : O4H Academy in Greece (4-9 July, 2023): Olympic Heritage, Humanism, genesis the Olympic idea and ideals, political philosophy, epistemology, design thinking, humanism and democracy. The first A+ Cycle of training will take place in Athens and Ancient Olympia at the premisses of the International Olympic Academy on 4-9 July, 2023.

OPTION A : VIRTUAL IN COUNTRY 3 MONTH-LONG ONLINE or HYBRID

Option A: Olympism for Humanity Champions of Change Foundations (Ongoing): A 3 – 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) 7 one to one session and online lectures, (c) Mentored Olympism in Action – Praxis field experience. The first Cycle of our Hybrid Summer orientation sessions will take place in Cyprus, on 7-10 June, 2023. This option is available across continents – without borders!

*Applications for Greece and Hybrid training (A) and (A+) are now open

OPTION B: JAPAN – RESIDENTIAL IN TOKYO, HIROSHIMA & FUKUSHIMA- SUMMER 2024

Option B: O4H Academy in Japan (B) (Summer 2024): 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 RESIDENTIAL SUMMER 2024

Option C : O4H Academy in Cyprus (Residential Summer 2024): 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- 2024

Option DC: O4H Academy in Washington D.C. & Maryland (Spring 2024): Academic and Cultural Diplomacy, Global Affairs, United Nations SDGs, Sport and Peacebuilding, Mutual Radicalization and Democracy Actualization.

OPTION E : GREECE – RESIDENTIAL- PARIS 2024 LIGHTING CEREMONY APRIL 2024

Option D: O4H Academy in Greece (April 2024): Paris 2024 Flame Ceremony, Panhellenic Games Torch Relay in Olympia, Nemea, Epidavrus, Delphi, Olympus Mountain, Thessaloniki and Athens, Bridges between ancient and modern Olympic Civilization, Olympic Education in the 21st Century. The second round of training in Greece will take place in April 2024 during the Paris 2024 Flame Ceremony and Torch Relay in Ancient Olympia, Nemea, Delphi, Olympus Mountain, Dion, Thessaloniki and Athens. The dates of the Paris 2024 Flame Ceremony schedule will be announced by the Paris 2024 in May 2023.

OPTION F : FRANCE – RESIDENTIAL IN PARIS – AUGUST 2024

Option F: O4H Academy in Paris, France (August 2024): Paris 2024, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Equality, Climate, Modern Olympic Games History, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Cohesion, Sport for Social Change and Social Innovation.

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 CIED-O4H 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: Youth in Action – Under 20 League

Recruitment Target Group 1: U20 Champions of Change from Secondary Educational Systems & Civil Society

Target Group 2: Academics & Educators – Academic League

Recruitment Target Group 2: 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 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

Champions of Change & Olympic Literacy with H.O.P.E. & Praxis

What Will Participants Gain?

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 21^st Century

Olympic Literacy, Impact and Innovation

30 Years Applied Knowledge Production & Data-driven Programming

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).

Humanity G.O.A.L.S. & Vision

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).

Click Here to Submit Your Application

Tokyo 2020 Games Tokyo

Paris 2024 Games

Georgetown University

How Much Does it Cost?

CIED-O4H Georgetown University Certificate Program Expenses

Certificate Program Fees

Certificate Program Fees for Hybrid and Residential Training in Greece: 1,500 USD

Certificate Program Fees for Participation in (2) Combined training Cycles: 2,400 USD

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 4-9 July, 2023 (Option A+) : Accommodation, food, Site Visits, Transportation Athens-Olympia, Opening & Closing Ceremony: (a) Athens-Olympia (450 Euro Triple Rooms) or (b) Athens- Olympia (600 Euro Double Rooms) at the Premisses of the International Olympic Academy.

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 and Hybrid training are now open

**Airfare and visa expenses are not included in this estimate