The Commonwealth Games Federation’s Vice Patron, HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, will join an influential programme of keynote speakers and panellists in exactly four weeks time when sports leaders and stakeholders from across Canada and the Commonwealth’s 71 nations and territories come together for the inaugural Commonwealth Sports Summit. The summit will be held on 6 October in Edmonton, Alberta, as part of the Commonwealth Games Federation’s 3-day General Assembly.
The conference theme – “It’s Within Us” – heralds a programme of keynotes, contributions, workshops and panel discussions focused on governance, organisational culture, integrity, gender equity, human rights and sport for development and peace. The summit aims to help deliver the CGF’s vision to connect, engage and inspire the Commonwealth and beyond to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities through sport. Additional speakers and contributors confirmed include:
HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Vice-Patron, Commonwealth Games Federation
Peter Beattie AC, Chairman, Gold Coast 2018 Organising Corporation
David Rutherford, Chief Commissioner, New Zealand Human Rights Commission
Jude Kelly CBE, Artistic Director, Southbank Centre London and Founder, Women of the World Festival
Brian Lewis, President, Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association
A number of other Commonwealth Games Associations will also take to the stage as panellists to share learnings and models of best practice. The newly-announced speakers join a high-profile line-up of contributors which includes Carla Qualtrough PC, MP, retired Paralympic swimmer and now Canada’s Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities; Baroness Patricia Scotland, the newly-elected Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat; and Chief Ava Hill, Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River and strategic advisor on the Aboriginal Leadership Partnership of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said:
“The newly-launched Commonwealth Sports Summit will be an inspiring and engaging conversation with sports leaders from across Canada and the broader Commonwealth as we bring Transformation 2022 to life. I am so grateful to our Vice Patron, HRH Prince Edward and the many other esteemed speakers and contributors who will challenge, support and shape our thinking as we nurture and develop the Commonwealth Sport Movement now and into the future.”
Commonwealth Games Canada President Richard Powers said:
“Commonwealth Games Canada President Richard Powers said: "Canada has a history of "firsts" in Commonwealth Sport including hosting the first Commonwealth Games in Hamilton in 1930 and showcasing para-sports at a Games for the very first time, when they were an exhibition event in 1994. Continuing this tradition we are delighted to host the first Commonwealth Sport Summit."
The Summit, taking place at Edmonton’s Chateau Lacombe hotel, will be hosted by the multi-award winning Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s sports anchor, and Commonwealth and Olympic Games TV veteran, Scott Russell.
The Commonwealth Sports Summit, and 2016 CGF General Assembly, is delivered in partnership with Commonwealth Games Canada and the City of Edmonton. Individuals interested in the participating in the Commonwealth Sport Summit can view the full schedule and list of speakers at www.commonwealthgames.ca.