Since 2005, as part of its social responsibility, IWC Schaffhausen has been one of the main sponsors of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, an organization that brings together top-flight sport and social commitment at a high level.
Laureus comprises the Laureus World Sports Academy, the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and the Laureus World Sports Awards. Collectively, these three elements form the essence of Laureus, harnessing the power of sport to promote social change and celebrating sporting excellence.
Laureus’ core concept is simple, brilliant and daunting: to create global awards that recognize the achievements of today’s sports heroes; to bring sportspeople together, united in achievement but divided by sporting code; and then, once that community is brought together, to put their reach and the support and investment of Laureus’ Founding Patrons and Partners to work by supporting a message which can help social projects around the world that use sport as a tool for social change. That message, simply, is Laureus Sport for Good.
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation attracts groups of people who share a belief in the power of sport to break down barriers, to engage with others and to change the world for the better. It seeks to inspire hope and positive change for children around the world using sport as a social vehicle. The Laureus World Sports Academy is a unique association of 46 of the greatest living sporting legends from sports as diverse as football, tennis, athletics, skateboarding and motor racing. All the members of the Academy share a belief in the power of sport to bring people together and improve the lives of young people around the world. Academy Members like Edwin Moses, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Robby Naish and Martina Navratilova regularly visit the numerous projects supported by Laureus. On these occasions, young people come face-to-face with their sporting heroes. Having these role models present is an uplifting experience for the children. Since its inception, over 1.5 million children and adolescents have been involved in more than 140 projects worldwide.
The programme provides stability, gives children something to look forward to and helps improve their social skills
The example of Seenigama
IWC has also published a lavishly illustrated book, “Let the Children Play”, in which well-known authors and photographers have documented ten projects supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
In December 2004, an undersea earthquake in the Indian Ocean triggered a gigantic tsunami that ravaged the coastal regions of South-East Asia and claimed hundreds of thousands of victims. Four months after the catastrophe, representatives of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation paid a first visit to the devastated southern province of Sri Lanka around Galle. In Seenigama, the most seriously affected of the coastal areas, two-thirds of the inhabitants had lost their lives, leaving hundreds of orphans. The Foundation’s team decided to put some hope and joy back into the lives of the traumatized children and adolescents and, through sport, help them come to terms with their horrifying experiences.
Together with the local authorities, the charity organization set up the Seenigama Sports project, which has since established itself as the main provider of leisure-time activities for young people in Sri Lanka. The programme provides stability, gives children something to look forward to and helps improve their social skills. Over 1000 of them participate every month in the various sports on offer, such as cricket, volleyball, badminton, swimming, cross-country running and table tennis.
Special Watch Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
Since 2006 IWC Schaffhausen has launched several limited editions in honour of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. These watches are destined to be collector’s items because each edition features an exclusive engraving on the back based on the winning entry in a drawing competition organized by IWC for children involved in Laureus projects. They are given a specific topic as a guideline and asked to produce a work of art showing how the project has positively affected and inspired them.
IWC has also published a lavishly illustrated book, “Let the Children Play”, in which well-known authors and photographers have documented ten projects supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. In Switzerland, IWC Schaffhausen has played a particularly important role with its help in setting up the Swiss branch of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. For further information about Laureus projects please visit: www.laureus.com.
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