Fight For Peace
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fight for Peace (Luta pela Paz) is a global organisation that supports young people to reach their full potential in communities affected by crime and violence.[1]
In 2000, British amateur boxer Luke Dowdney founded a small boxing club in Complexo da Maré, a deprived area of Rio de Janeiro.[2] Dowdney had been the captain of his university boxing team,[3] and visited Brazil whilst studying for his anthropology degree in 1995.[4] The Complexo da Maré club grew into Fight For Peace, an organisation which used boxing and martial arts as a means of outreach work to the children and youth of local favelas who were involved with violence, guns and drugs.[3] In 2005, the Fight for Peace Sports and Education Centre was constructed,[4] providing training facilities, classrooms and an IT suite.[5]
In April 2008, Dowdney opened the first Fight For Peace center in the UK North Woolwich E16 2LR, and announced plans to expand into South Africa and Colombia.[2]