6th Commonwealth Debate on Sport for Development and Peace.

When: 31 March 2022, 6.00pm - 8.00pm GMT

to register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8323104431802665744

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development set by The United Nations recognises sport as an important enabler of sustainable development and peace. The Commonwealth supports member governments, the Commonwealth sports movement, and key stakeholders to maximise the contribution that sport can make to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key areas of focus for this impact include health, education, gender equality, human rights, social cohesion, good governance and building strong institutions.

The Commonwealth Secretariat supports this mission by being a leading advocate for the use of sport for sustainable development and peace and providing tailored technical assistance involving policy and strategy development. A key milestone in our annual work programme is the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP).

To mark the 2022 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the Secretariat will host its 6th Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development virtually, on Thursday 31 March 2022.

The sixth edition of this annual event will see two teams made up of officials, experts, athletes and youth leaders debate whether: ‘To ensure inclusive, equitable and safe access to sport for all, investment should only be made to organisations demonstrating complete adherence to international human rights laws and principles.’

Programme

1800 Welcome remarks from Rt Hon. Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth

1810 An introduction to the debate by the moderator Radha Balani, Co-Managing Director thinkBeyond

1815 6th Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development. ‘To ensure inclusive, equitable and safe access to sport for all, investment should only be made to organisations demonstrating complete adherence to international human rights laws and principles.’

Arguing for the motion: 

• Hon. Aurore Mimosa Munyagaju, Minister of Sports, Government of Rwanda
• Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice Chancellor, University of West Indies
• Dr Payoshni Mitra, CEO, Global Observatory for Women, Sport, Physical Education and Physical Activity
• Professor Jack Anderson, Professor of Law, University of Melbourne

Arguing against the motion: 

• Hartwell Mhundru, Human Rights and Inclusion Lead, The Commonwealth Games Federation
• Fahmida Faiza, Head of Social Responsibility and Safeguarding, South Asian Football Federation
• Paula Tesoriero MNZM, Disability Rights Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission
• Theresa Goh, Para Athlete representing Singapore

1915 Questions from the audience and open panel discussion

1940 Special Address

• Anne Wafula Strike MBE, Commonwealth Champion for Equality in Sports
• Dr Ben Sanders, Senior Consultant, sportanddev

1950 Adjudication and Closing Remarks

• Dame Louise Martin DBE, President, Commonwealth Games Federation
• David Rutherford, Principal, Tuhana Business and Human Rights Chairperson, and CABOS
• Stephen McCubbin, Co-ordinator, Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Network (CYSDP)

2000 Close