The Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW Sydney, the Cluster on Corporate Citizenship at Macquarie University and the University of Melbourne will host a workshop and public panel discussion on 20 & 21 October 2022. To ensure greater participation of people from different world regions, the workshop and panel discussion on 20 October, 3pm-6pm AEST will be virtual, and an in-person workshop will be held on 21 October at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth (61/101 Phillip St, Sydney), 9.30am-1pm AEST.
Sport and human rights are inextricably linked. Sport can be harnessed as a means to progress and recognise human rights, but it can also be used to mask discrimination, corruption and suppression of rights. This workshop provides a timely opportunity to discuss these interconnections and the roles, responsibilities and rights of athletes, business, government and local communities involved in major sporting events to both prevent and redress human rights impacts.
Speakers include Nikki Dryden (Olympian and human rights lawyer), Craig Foster (former Socceroo and broadcaster), Mary Harvey (CEO, Centre for Sport and Human Rights), Tracey Holmes (journalist), Jane Leibowitz (Human Rights Manager, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023), Brendan Schwab (Executive Director, World Players' Association), and Yetsa Tualki-Wosornu (Sports Equity Lab, Yale University).
9.30am-11am Responsibility of investors, sponsors and broadcasters
Moderator: Tracey Holmes, journalist
Corporate sponsorship, government funding and the media are integral to major sporting events, but their role and responsibility to use their leverage to bring about positive improvements in the processes, principles and organisation of sport and sporting events remains unclear. This session will look at how the media, investors and corporate sponsors can help in the promotion of human rights through sport.
11am-11.30am Break
11.30pm-1pm The role of sports organisations - pathways of accountability
Moderator: Dr Natalie Galea, University of Melbourne, IJF Athletes Commission and Olympian
Expectations in sports are changing, and sports organisations are expected to understand and demonstrate their commitment to respecting human rights. This session will look at how sporting organisations are challenged by existing practices in sport and how some are overcoming these to strengthen their commitment to the promotion of human rights within the sports they govern.
