The Commonwealth Secretariat will host its 6th annual Commonwealth Debate on Sport and Sustainable Development on 31 March.
The debate – a seminal event marking the 2022 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on 6th April - will offer a platform for Commonwealth government officials, sports personalities, academics, youth leaders, development experts and members of the public to take part in an important conversation examining the key issues impacting sport across the Commonwealth’s 54 countries.
Watch the debate highlights
Watch the full debate
This year there will be a particular focus on human rights and equality and how these should be prioritised within the physical activity sector and social policy development as nations build back from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The debate will feature two teams of experts who will argue for and against the motion: “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.”
Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Patricia Scotland QC will open the debate, and President of the Commonwealth Games Federation Dame Louise Martin will act as lead judge on the adjudication panel.
The debate will be held virtually for the second time due to COVID-19, which will allow people from across the Commonwealth to join and contribute to the online discussion.
Download the debate programme
Speakers
Arguing for the motion:
- Hon. Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, 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
For further details, please contact the Commonwealth’s Sport for Development and Peace team at [email protected].
Find out more about last year’s debate
Commonwealth documentation
- The Relationship Between Sports and Human Rights (futurelearn.com)
- Commonwealth Consensus Statement on Promoting Human Rights in and through Sport
- Policy Guidance to Commonwealth Governments on Protecting the Integrity of Sport
- Commonwealth States’ Obligations Under International Human Rights Conventions- The implications for Government Sport Policy
Media contact
- Amy Coles Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
