Advocacy
Sport is recognized as an important enabler of sustainable development and access to sport is a fundamental human right. The right to sport is mandated in UNESCO’s International Charter on Physical Education and Sport, in the Olympic Charter and in numerous international human rights instruments. The idea of sport contributing to global development is not new, however, sport has gained international prominence and momentum during the era of the Millennium Development Goals (the precursor to the Sustainable Development Goals) and there is greater international collaboration, a growing and more sophisticated evidence base and closer alignment to the aid and development sector around the world.
Sport Matters raises the profile in Australia and internationally of the power of sport to add value to sustainable development and advocate for human rights. Our work is guided by the Sport Matters Advocacy Policy and informed by consultation and evidence.
Each year on April 6 we join hundreds of organisations and millions of people around the world to celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP). Sport Matters is recognised as hosting one of the first events to mark the inaugural IDSDP on April 6 in 2014 at our event under the Sydney Harbour Bridge joined by our Sport Matters Champions, corporate partners and a representative from the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Canberra. Each year we celebrate IDSDP with a social media campaign and advocacy events with our international partners.
Sport Matters has submitted a number of policy submissions in consultation with national, regional and international partners. An important component of our advocacy is also joining forces with other NGOs through coalitions such as the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and the Australian Disability and Development Consortium (ADDC).
An open letter to the Prime Minister, Treasurer and Minister for Foreign Affairs, from Australia’s leading International Aid agencies on Australia’s role in ending COVID-19 for all (2020) – ACFID
Letter to Hon. Alex Hawke MP Maintaining Australia’s leadership on disability inclusive development (2019) – ADDC
Video presented at Power of Sport Breakfast in Nauru in conjunction with the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (2018)
Sport Matters coordinated submissions and supporting documents from ONOC, PGC and OSFO to the Framework for Pacific Regionalism (2018)
Sport Matters submission to the Australian Government’s Foreign Policy White Paper (2017)
“The shared goal of the UN and the IOC is to make the world a better and more peaceful place. For the IOC, this means putting sport at the service of the peaceful development of humanity.”
For more information about sport for development here are some useful links:
International Platform on Sport and Development
sportanddev.org is a website dedicated entirely to sport and development. It is an online resource and communication tool that informs and connects the sector.
UNESCO International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport
This Charter was adopted in 1978 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) at its General conference. The Charter was one of the first international policy documents to recognise sport as a fundamental human right. Revised in 2015, the revised Charter introduces universal principles such as gender equality, non-discrimination and social inclusion in and through sport. It also highlights the benefits of physical activity, the sustainability of sport, the inclusion of persons with disabilities and the protection of children.
Centre for Sport and Human Rights
Launched in June 2018, the Centre for Sport and Human Rights brings together an alliance of intergovernmental organisations, governments, sports bodies, athletes, hosts, sponsors, broadcasters, civil society representatives, trade unions, employers and their associations, and national human rights institutions. Based in Geneva, the Centre works towards a world of sport that fully respects human rights by sharing knowledge, building capacity, and strengthening the accountability of all actors through collective action.
Commonwealth Secretariat
The Commonwealth Secretariat advocates for the use of sport as a vehicle for development and peacebuilding and focuses on how sport can be used to contribute to national development objectives and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. The Commonwealth is recognised as a leader in helping countries to boost the positive role of sport in society.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
A global agenda and blueprint that aims to end poverty, protect the planet and make sure all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. Sport is recognised as an important enabler of sustainable development.
A snapshot of some of the international events Sport Matters has presented at:
- 2nd Commonwealth Open Ended Working Group on Model Indicators on Sport, PE, Physical Activity and the SDG – Geneva, Switzerland
- Milan Forum on Sport for Social Inclusion and Development – Milan, Italy
- UNESCO Sport and the SDGs Youth Funshop – Seoul, Republic of Korea
- 2019 Pacific Sports Policy Roundtable – Apia, Samoa
- ICSSPE Panel Session on Maximising the contribution of sport to the Sustainable Development Goals at MINEPS VI – Kazan, Russia
- International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS) – Santo, Brazil
- Pacific Regional Conference on Disability – Nadi, Fiji
- Badminton World Federation Member Forum – Kunshan, China
- Australian Volunteer Pre-departure Training – Melbourne, Australia
Sport Matters designs tailor-made development strategies in response to identified community needs in Australia, the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
