TAFISA
4:53 pm I opened my laptop and wondered how to start writing this perfect letter. Do I start with “My name is Maria Hijazin, a junior at the National Orthodox School?” Or with a committee description? Maybe a figure of speech? Just like how this may be your first experience either as a delegate or a chair, this will also be my first as a president. My first official delegate experience was in a sports committee, so was my first award, and now my first ever experience as president is in a sports committee. For three days, through your decisions you will have a huge impact on the influence of sports on citizens world-wide, and our, unfortunately, ever-collapsing environment through debating two pressing issues. The first topic discusses one of TAFISA’s 2030 missions, the implementation of active cities. This necessitates the establishment of car-free zones as well as the creation of urban spaces that promote walking, cycling, and other forms of exercise. The next is where sports bring people together from all areas of life; whether it is a friendly football match or a global event like the Olympics, this massive audience provides an excellent platform for environmental destruction, making it an issue demanding our time, resources, and energy. I expect each and every one of you to come prepared and exceed my expectations. I can’t wait to meet you all and I hope this conference will be one to remember!
Sincerely,
Your President
Maria Hijazin
Topic 1: Implementing active cities
Active cities are ones that reduce car transportation and prioritize physical activities such as biking and walking. The aim is to make cities across the world healthier. Through studies, it’s been proven a city that promotes an active lifestyle has high rates of participation in sports and a healthier population. The world's first Global Active Cities are currently Hamburg, Germany; Lillehammer, Norway; Liverpool, England; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Many studies have shown that the implementation of an active city introduces numerous benefits, for example, citizens who exercise regularly are less likely to use addictive substances, which significantly reduces the risk of several diseases. Furthermore, active cities decrease environmental harm because they reduce catastrophic air pollution and several other consequences that arise from using cars.
Currently, as we enter the sixth wave of innovation the urban arrangements don't support active lives. Investments in parks, bike lanes, and walkways which ensure the safety of active transportation modes must be the government's priority. This not only benefits individuals, since a healthy workforce leads to a thriving economy.
Topic 2: Role of sports in promoting environmental sustainability
Environmental sustainability is the ability to maintain an ecological balance in our planet's natural environment and conserve natural resources to support the well-being of current and future generations. Environmental sustainability is a universal goal countries are striving towards, yet sporting events have been hindering the process of achieving this goal. Large sporting events are harming the environment by leaving a large carbon footprint, excessive pollution, and many other negative externalities.
In the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, FIFA encouraged the building of eco-friendly stadiums that were sustainable by harvesting and using rainwater and solar energy. However, the outcome proved to lack the eco-friendly intention. The process of building these stadiums caused deforestation and habitat degradation and failed to manage waste correctly.
Any large sporting event will require immense amounts of energy for lighting, and maintaining adequate temperature of the stadiums. Advanced infrastructure is also required for transportation and communications. This energy dependency leads to increased carbon emissions, as well as air and water pollution. So the question is: how do we encourage sports events and promote environmental sustainability at the same time?
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TAFISA Guide