Fair Play Peace Circle®

Football meets nature: before kick-off, participants lift a living tree as a new peace ritual. Backed by UNESCO’s ESD and Sport for Peace vision, the Fair Play Peace Circle® introduces a three-minute act of respect — for people and for the planet. Schools and teams everywhere are invited to join.

Images courtesy of CLIP – The Oporto International School (Porto, Portugal)

The Peace Circle® has already taken many forms — as a living park, a classroom ritual, a digital twin, a play, and a global campaign for everyday heroes. Now, its next expression unfolds in the world’s most beloved sport: football.

The Fair Play Peace Circle® brings the values of peace, balance, and shared humanity onto the field — where players, students, and communities meet in the universal language of teamwork. The model's foundation is strong: as Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate (IB), has stated about the Peace Circle concept, "Peace Circle® is an excellent example of an inclusive and action-oriented model built on shared participation.”

⚽ Peace Begins on the Field

In just three minutes, players and students form a living circle on the field — representing Heart ❤️ (Compassion), Head 💡 (Wisdom), and Hands ✋ (Action) — reflecting on fairness, respect, and unity before play begins.

At the heart of the circle, a small sapling is momentarily held aloft, representing the bond between peace among people and peace with nature. This simple act transforms a football pitch into a space of learning and connection — showing that peace and fair play can be practiced, not only preached.

Aligned with UNESCO Values

The initiative is fully aligned with UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Sport for Peace frameworks. The coordinating association Plant And Care For Peace is an official UNESCO Greening Education Partner (GEP). Together, the initiative demonstrates how values-based education can grow through creativity, collaboration, and community action on a global scale.

The first global highlight will take place on 6 April 2026, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, when schools and youth teams worldwide will form their own Fair Play Peace Circles®.

Join the Peace Circle® Network

The Fair Play Peace Circle® is open to all schools, youth clubs, and communities worldwide. Participation is free, flexible, and easy — all you need is a field, a few minutes, and the spirit of fair play. By registering, you join a growing global network of schools and changemakers across continents.

🔗 Register here for the Fair Play Peace Circle® 2026

(You will receive the full activity guide and resources after registration.)

A Global Movement: We warmly encourage UNESCO ASPnet schools, IB schools, and local sports organizations to join. However, participation is open to everyone! You can start a Peace Circle® anywhere — on a football field, in a classroom, or in a park — and become part of this global movement for people and for nature.