On 31 March, the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with Commonwealth Sport will host the 10th Annual Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development.
The debate will mark the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, observed on 6 April. Each year, this event provides a platform for Commonwealth ministers, senior government officials, high commissioners, athletes, academics, sports advocates, representatives from Commonwealth accredited organisations, including Commonwealth Sport, and young people to discuss key sport-related issues.
The format of the debate
Two high-profile panels will debate the motion:
Sporting equality is best achieved when para and non-para games are staged simultaneously
This motion will see a lively debate between two teams of experts who will examine whether separate sporting competitions reinforce inequality or whether they are necessary for fairness. The debate will explore different perspectives on inclusion, visibility, shared competition, and whether a single or separate system best supports equality.
The motion is timely, as the debate takes place four months before the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August. Around 3,000 athletes from 74 Commonwealth Games Associations are expected to compete for 215 gold medals across 10 sports. It will also be the first time that para-athletes and non-para-athletes compete at the same time.
For more information
Please contact Karina Gosalia, Health and Sport Research Officer, Commonwealth Secretariat: [email protected]
