To mark World Refugee Day on June 20, World Rugby has become a signatory to the Joint Sport Commitment on Sport for Inclusion and Protection.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach announced the Joint Sport Commitment on behalf of the Sport for Refugees Coalition at the World Refugee Forum in Geneva in December 2023.
World Rugby joins more than 100 organizations, including more than 40 National Olympic Committees and International Federations, as well as governments, refugee-led organizations, UN agencies, civil society organizations, private sector representatives and more in supporting the pledge.
The Joint Sport Commitment aims to ensure that sport is harnessed for the benefit of displaced people and their host communities around the world. The engagement aims to mobilize resources, expertise and networks to promote access and opportunities through sport for and with displaced people and host communities, contributing to more inclusive and cohesive societies.
It explores the role sport can play in the lives of refugees and identifies five areas where action can be taken through sport to contribute to the protection and inclusion of displaced people and host communities. By committing, organizations commit to delivering a specific outcome in one or more of the five areas of engagement:
- Promote an enabling environment, including policies, that provides access to safe sport.
- Promote and provide inclusive, safe, sport and play-based initiatives.
- Promote and provide opportunities to enhance skills and pathways in and through sport.
- Use of communication, evidence and advocacy objectives.
- Strengthening partnerships and coordination efforts.
World Rugby is committed to specifically supporting the third and fifth pillars. Through its existing sport for development partnerships, World Rugby will continue to strengthen its sport offer in displacement contexts.
In January 2024, World Rugby and ChildFund Rugby announced a multi-year extension of their transformative social impact partnership, reaffirming their commitment to using rugby as a vehicle to support diversity, inclusion and learning opportunities for children and young people around the world.
