Qatar Foundation and Wilton Park host dialogue on sport for social development

International leaders from government, policy, and sporting sectors convened for a three-day dialogue at Wilton Park, hosted in partnership with the Qatar Foundation. The event, themed ‘Sport for Development in the Global South: Advancing Female Empowerment, Inclusion, and Accessibility’, aimed to establish a global coalition to transform the social potential of sport into practical action.

The dialogue focused on addressing structural barriers for women and girls, building upon UN Resolution 59/17, which was initiated by Qatar alongside Indonesia and Morocco. Participants discussed the need for systemic reforms in policy, coaching, and infrastructure. Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, Vice Chairperson of Qatar Foundation, emphasized that efforts must move beyond principle to practice by involving women in facility design and providing tailored coaching and scientific research.

Dr. Khalilur Rahman, President-Elect of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly, noted the role of sport in building confidence and leadership skills in young girls. Wilton Park and the Qatar Foundation intend to develop an actionable roadmap following the discussions. Participating organizations included Olympism365, Special Olympics, Laureus Sport for Good, NBA Africa, and the FIVB.