The IF Forum 2022 brought together 350 leaders from more than 125 International Federations, presidents, CEOs, and senior managers.
Attendees met face-to-face in a relaxed environment which provided the backdrop for valuable networking and knowledge exchange.
It was the first time since 2019 that sport’s key organisations were able to meet in person.
Watch the IF Forum 2022 highlight reel here.
Kicking off the two-day event, which took place under the theme of ‘International Federation Impact – Safe Sport and Sustainable Development’, leading figures from the global sports movement underlined the importance of a bold approach in addressing these vital issues.
Ivo Ferriani, President of SportAccord, highlighted the influence of IFs, and the sports they represent, on the lives of athletes, followers, host cities and the environment.
“We have a duty to protect our athletes, we have a duty to protect our planet, and we have a duty to protect human rights,” Ferriani said.
Speaking on behalf of International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, who was praised by Mr Ferriani for his leadership on the issues of safe sport and sustainability, together with the creation of a strong human rights framework, International Olympic Committee Vice-President, Ser Miang Ng said:
“The theme of this IF Forum, International Federation Impact – Safe Sport and Sustainable Development, could not come at a better time. The word impact is key because it highlights our fundamental belief that we can have an impact, that we can make the world a better place through sports.”
Day one in 2022 featured powerful keynotes on human rights and sustainability. David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Innovation and Partnerships Officer, Centre for Sport and Human Rights said:
“Universal principles for good governance in sport, provides a solid framework, however, human rights considerations can help to strengthen these principles even further.”
Dale Vince, Chairman of the English Football League, League One football team Forest Green Rovers, recognised by the UN as the world’s first carbon neutral club said:
“There are two ways of having an impact in this life, one is to do something yourself and I spent decades doing these things to show that they work. The second and more powerful way to bring change is to be a catalyst, so we share all our ideas with other people and show them stuff works and other people come along and pick these up and more change happens.”
IF Forum 2023
The IF Forum 2023 will take place from 13-15 November 2023 at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Follow SportAccord on LinkedIn and Twitter to stay up to date. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
