Trinidad and Tobago announced that it will host the Commonwealth Youth Games in the summer of 2023 at the 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministerial Meeting.
Sport ministers from across the Commonwealth have reaffirmed their commitment to using sport as a tool to ensure the socio-economic, physical and mental wellbeing of current and future generations – and building a shared future that ensures no one not to be left behind.
Ministers gathered in Birmingham, UK – in the wings of the Commonwealth Games – for the 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministerial Meeting (10CSMM) on 27 July. Together, with world-renowned experts, they shared Commonwealth examples of the crucial work being done in the sport sector to improve health outcomes, promote sustainable development and strengthen human rights.
Acceleration of sustainable development
Ministers agreed on a ministerial declaration calling for: the adoption of sport policies and interventions to accelerate the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; reduce the incidence of preventable disease across the Commonwealth; to ensure the protection of minors and the inclusion of all in sports; to encourage increased transparency, good governance and integrity in competitions; and maximizing opportunities for investment and social development – especially for low- and middle-income countries.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago also announced that the Commonwealth Youth Games will be held there in the summer of 2023 as part of the Commonwealth Year of Youth.
The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, said:
“We move forward from today’s meeting of Commonwealth Sports Ministers with even greater unity and purpose, to accelerate the priorities of Sport for Development and Peace in line with the goals, values and aspirations of Commonwealth citizens.
“Through the impacts of COVID-19, climate change and conflict, our world faces serious, overlapping, interconnected crises. Sport reflects society, so it is exposed to the shocks, divisions and challenges of society.
“But sport has a unique ability to drive change across borders; catalyzing better health and well-being while promoting equality and peacebuilding. It was clear from today’s discussions that Ministers are fully committed to harnessing the power of sport to deliver benefits across the Commonwealth and the Secretariat is actively supporting this work.
“The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham will be an example of the inspirational qualities of sport. It will give us all hope, joy and great faith in the human spirit; and will provide unforgettable experiences for all who watch. I can not wait.”
10CSMM Chairman and UK Minister for Sport Rt Hon Nigel Huddleston MP, said:
“The shocks caused by the pandemic and other global challenges, from climate change to conflict, have highlighted the need for new thinking.
“We must ensure that we are maximizing the great potential of sport to bring about a positive legacy for our citizens.”
The meeting took place with the following theme: Creating an inclusive and resilient sports sector; Increasing the Contribution of Sport to the Sustainable Development Goals, with contributions from cross-sector speakers including: Dame Louise Martin DBE, President of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF); Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organization; Lord Sebastian Coe, President of World Athletics; Bjorn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe; Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director General for Social Sciences and Humanities at UNESCO; and Mr. Juan-Pablo Salazar, Involvement Coordinator at the Latin American Development Bank; and CGF CEO Katie Sadleir.
Dame Louise, Ambassador Dr Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for Sport, Culture and Heritage, Kenya, and Past Chair of the CSMM, and Ambassador Deryck Lance Murray, Chair of the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport, were recognized for their outstanding contributions in Sport for Development. and Peace in the Commonwealth by the Secretary-General.
Promoting human rights in and through sport
Ministers welcomed the launch of the 10 Leading Actions for the Implementation of the Commonwealth Consensus Statement on the Promotion of Human Rights in and through Sport – a list of practical actions member states can take over the next decade until Australia hosts the Olympic Games in 2032 .
The 10 Actions correspond to the Commonwealth Secretariat’s three main areas of work on Human Rights, Governance and Integrity and are designed to help member countries achieve the relevant Sustainable Development Goals.
The Commonwealth Secretariat also brought a draft version of safeguarding legislation – designed to give general protection to minors across Commonwealth countries – before Ministers.
Existing legislation in Commonwealth countries sets out where sexual activity between minors and those in positions of trust, responsibility or authority constitutes a criminal offence. But research by the Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with UNICEF UK and DLA Piper LLC, and an expert working group made up of senior officials from the Ministries of Law and Sport identified gaps in the implementation of such legislation.
The Commonwealth’s Model Legislative Provisions on Abuse of a Position of Trust provide a model for legal protection for young people under 18, whether in a sporting context or otherwise. It will go before Commonwealth Law Ministers again later this year before it is officially published.
Ministers noted the power of major sporting events, such as the Games, to inspire generations to be more active and create positive legacies that can promote common Commonwealth values and principles.
Innovation in the sports sector
10CSMM also celebrated the innovative ways member countries are working to create and support an inclusive and resilient sports sector post-pandemic.
Examples came from the West Indies, Kenya, Cyprus, the UK and Trinidad and Tobago.
Ministers further called for better data collection to increase measurement of the impact of sport, physical activity and physical education on priority development objectives, with a view to developing a strong evidence base needed to increase investment and guide the implementation of future policies.
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Media contact
- Amy Coles Communications Officer, Communications Division, Commonwealth Secretariat
