Right To Play

Right To Play is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to use play to empower vulnerable children to overcome the effects of war, poverty, and disease. Right To Play’s work is connected to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and focuses on four outcome areas: quality education, children’s health and well-being, girls’ empowerment, and child protection.^[1] Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, the organization has programs in 15 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and has national offices in Canada, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Right To Play was founded by Olympic speed skater Johann Olav Koss. Koss had been working as an ambassador raising awareness and funds for Olympic Aid since 1994. In 2000, he incorporated Right To Play, marking its transition from “fundraising vehicle” to a non-profit to directly implement programs benefitting children.

Over time, Right To Play has shifted from sport for development programs to play-based learning.^[2] It has also expanded form offering programs directly to collaborating with governments and educational institutions to create systemic change at national scales.