Handshake for Peace in the World Cup

Handshake for Peace, football’s new symbol of friendship, respect and fair play has now gone global, after the initiative by the Nobel Peace Center and the Norwegian Football Association first was implemented in Norwegian top football as of the 2012 season.

Before and after every match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, the captains do a Handshake for Peace. 

FIFA took an early interest in the campaign, and accepted the Nobel Peace Center’s suggestion that the two organisations work together in 2012. In 2013, the Nobel Peace Center and FIFA signed a three-year contract.

“Football unites millions of people, transcending borders, cultures and languages, and is an important arena for promoting respect between people. Handshake for Peace is a strong symbol and an important act to increase respect between people. The collaboration with FIFA enables us to reach far and wide with the message of peace, and we are looking forward to seeing it at the World Cup opening match in Sao Paolo on Thursday,” says Linda Netland, Director of Information and Education at the Nobel Peace Center. 

Initially, the Handshake for Peace collaboration with FIFA will last for three years. The Nobel Peace Center receives an economic contribution that in its entirety goes toward its work for children, young people and education. Of the more than 200,000 annual visitors that come to the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, a third are children and young people. Every year, 1000 school classes take part in educational programmes at the Center. 

Thursday 12 June FIFA is paying particular attention to the Handshake for Peace in their daily media brief in Sao Paolo, which will be attended by FIFA’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs Walter de Gregorio, Linda Netland from the Nobel Peace Center and Kjetil Siem from the Norwegian Football Association.

Linda Netland, Director of Information and Education at the Nobel Peace Center is in Sao Paolo until Friday 13 June, and can be reached on email ln@nobelpeacecenter.org or on phone number +47 90 50 21 60.

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About the Handshake for Peace

• it was developed jointly by the Norwegian Football Association and the Nobel Peace Center
• it is part of the Fair Play programme  it is performed by the team captains, and by the captains and the match referee, both before and after the match
• it promotes the values respect, friendship and fair play 
• it was first implemented in the Norwegian Football league and in the youth tournament Norway Cup in 2012  
• the international collaboration was established at the 2012 FIFA Congress in Budapest
• the international launch took place at the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup Morocco
• FIFA has decided that the handshake will be performed at all matches of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil

The Nobel Peace Center in brief 

• is one of Norway’s most popular museums, with 225,000 visitors in 2013.
• presents the story of Alfred Nobel as well as the individual Peace Prize laureates and their work. 
• is an arena for debate and reflection on topical issues associated with war, peace and conflict resolution. 
• is internationally renowned for its focus on documentary photography and interactive technology
• has an extensive educational programme, hosting visits from 1050 school groups in 2013.
• is located at Rådhusplassen in Oslo.• is an independent foundation under the leadership of its director Bente Erichsen
• its governing board is appointed by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, currently chaired by Geir Lundestad.
• is funded through public grants, self-generated income, sponsorships and partnerships (Hydro, Telenor Group, ABB and the Football Association of Norway)