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Palma de Mallorca, 27 March 2025 – As part of an ongoing partnership to promote health, education, and equality through sport, UNESCO representatives attended the third edition of the Rafa Nadal Foundation Awards. This year’s event recognized Spanish Olympian and anti-racism advocate Aauri Bokesa with the Foundation’s “Fit for Life Special Recognition”.
The ceremony, held in Palma de Mallorca, brought together prominent figures from the worlds of sport and social impact to celebrate social projects that improve the quality of life for vulnerable groups. Rafael Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello, Director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation, joined representatives from UNESCO and Telefónica in celebrating this year's award winners.
"UNESCO's cooperation with the Rafa Nadal Foundation reflects our shared values: inclusion, equity, and the social impact of sport; sport that can help break down barriers and build better, more resilient, and healthier societies." - Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO
This year’s ceremony opened with the presentation of the Fit for Life Special Recognition, given by the Foundation in celebration of athletes who use their platforms to promote social impact and uphold the values shared by both organizations. Aauri Bokesa, a retired Spanish Olympic sprinter and social worker, received this year’s recognition for her exceptional advocacy in combating racism in sport. She was welcomed on stage by María Francisca Perelló and Mariagrazia Squicciarini, Chief of the Executive Office of UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, who both underlined the importance of using sport to advance equity and inclusion.
"We believe in the transformative power of sport and education as key tools to generate positive changes in society. These awards are an opportunity to give visibility and support to initiatives that share this vision." - María Francisca Perelló, Director of the Rafa Nadal Foundation
"I am committed to raising my voice so that sport is promoted as a space free of violence and discrimination." - Aauri Bokesa, Olympic athlete and social worker
Bokesa’s recognition by the Foundation reflects her ongoing dedication to promoting inclusion and equality through sport. She has been actively involved in efforts to educate young people and mobilize athletes to fight hate speech. In December 2024, Bokesa also joined the Fit for Life Network Against Racism during UNESCO’s Global Forum against Racism and Discrimination in Barcelona. As part of this network, Bokesa contributes to the Fit for Life Global Sport Alliance’s broader efforts to promote more inclusive sport.
The Rafa Nadal Foundation Awards also recognized five social organizations working across education, health, social innovation, environmental action, and development cooperation. Winners included:
- Fundación Soñar Despierto (Education and Sport)
- Fundación Canis Majoris (Health and Wellbeing)
- ASPAYM Castilla y León (Social Innovation)
- Integra Pirineus Private Foundation (Environmental Action)
- Pablo Hortsmann Foundation (Development Cooperation)
The Fit for Life Special Recognition forms part of an ongoing collaboration between UNESCO and the Rafa Nadal Foundation, which was formalized through a Letter of Intent signed in March 2023. As a member of the Fit for Life Global Sport Alliance, the Foundation supports key UNESCO priorities in gender equality, youth empowerment, and evidence-based approaches to sport and physical education.
Source: UNESCO