“The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games were momentous occasions in the lives of many Britons and citizens worldwide. As President of the International Paralympic Committee, I was privileged to preside over the most successful Paralympic Games to date. The legacy of these games has since occupied the social, cultural and political institutions as we aim to inspire a generation. The Youth Charter was born out of a northern bidding and hosting aspiration of Olympic and Commonwealth dreams. The social issues surrounding young people and communities saw the Youth Charter, in its in- fancy come of age as part of the highly successful 2002 Commonwealth Games. The legacy of those games, the Youth Charter’s Citizenship in Action programme, saw ten communities in Britain and ten communities in the Commonwealth benefit from sporting, artistic and cultural programmes and projects that would contribute to the now well-established sport for social and human development and peace movement. As a global citizen committed to social justice, equality and inclusion I am aware of the all-important right of responsibility in the role that sport and cultural activity can play in the development of young lives. The Youth Charter’s Legacy Manifesto is an important contribution to the legacy debate in promoting community cohesion through tolerance, understanding and cooperation in a global climate of uncertainty. I have witnessed the Youth Charter’s work on many occasions and believe in its 20th year, it has a valuable contribution to make through its key themes of education, health social and civil order, the environment and vocation training, employment and enterprise. The Youth Charter’s Legacy Manifesto recommendations re- feet the Olympic and Paralympic values and I firmly believe they should be taken as seriously as the young people and communities that have been consulted. The recommendations are bold, common sense and real. I believe they would contribute greatly to the continued legacy effort and above all ensure that future generations of young people have an opportunity to benefit from the historic and memorable 2012 Games. The Youth Charter’s 2016 Games Legacy Impact Report recommendations reflect the Olympic and Paralympic values and I firmly believe they should be taken as seriously as the young people and communities that have been consulted. The recommendations are bold, common sense and real.”