Wellbeing is therefore multidimensional and all aspects of a person's life and by extension of society can influence it. This is why when we talk about wellbeing, we must also add social wellbeing.
It is clear that the current climate is not always conducive to fulfillment and creates many problems that impact everyone's wellbeing. Only a few years ago, the entire planet was plunged into the Covid pandemic and although that is now under control, other epidemics threaten and continue to wreak havoc. Many conflicts are still raging all over the planet and the rise in violence is undeniable, leading to countless precarious situations and pushing millions of refugees onto the roads of exile.
In June 2024, the latest figures published by the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, reported more than 120 million people displaced worldwide. In addition to the victims of conflict, there are climate castaways. The television news is thus filled every day with climate disasters that no longer spare anyone.
While the situation may seem very bleak, there are still reasons for hope. The mobilisation of the judo community around the theme of wellbeing, on the occasion of World Judo Day 2024, is an example of this. Despite difficulties, millions of judoka are uniting to celebrate living together. Through their actions that are only just beginning to be collected, they illustrate how and why it is crucial to come together around common and universal values.
Since 2010, the International Judo Federation has launched the initiative of WJD and so this is therefore the 15th edition of it. Each year the chosen theme allows a spotlight on the values conveyed by judo, values that Jigoro Kano Shihan, the founder of judo, born on 28th October, was keen to use for the construction of a more just society.
Judoka learn through practice that when you fall, there is no other choice but to get up, to continue the fight, in other words to continue living; they learn that this can only be done with respect for each person, without any form of discrimination. The wellbeing of each and everyone of us and of the group is therefore one of the fundamental pillars of the development of judo in the world. It is because the values of friendship, mutual aid and prosperity prevail on the tatami, in all dojo, that we, all together, can create the conditions dear to Kano.
Today everyone can participate in WJD activities: judoka, clubs, federations, continental unions and all others do it with pleasure and enthusiasm. From the first hours of the event, we see a large number of testimonies from known or unknown judoka flourishing on social networks. On this symbolic day, as during the rest of the year, it is the founding principles of judo, beyond its sporting dimension, that can lead us to question each of our actions.
Happy World Judo Day!
Do not hesitate to send your testimonies to [email protected] so that everyone's experience can benefit the wellbeing of all.