CGF announce new Safeguarding Approach and renewed Human Rights commitment
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) has announced a new Safeguarding Policy - the most comprehensive in the history of the Movement - as well as an updated Human Rights Policy Statement to coincide with the 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting in Birmingham today.
The new Safeguarding Policy is the result of in-depth consultation amongst multiple stakeholders and comes as a CGF Safeguarding Panel is put in place for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
In addition, the Executive Board has approved an updated Human Rights Policy Statement. The update comes after the CGF’s first ever Human Rights Policy Statement was published in Colombo, Sri Lanka in October 2017.
The updated statement builds on the commitment of the CGF to implement decisions and activities which adhere to universal principles of good governance, underpinned by a strong commitment to, and respect for human rights, environment and sustainability, health, safety and wellbeing, as well as accessibility and inclusivity.
The CGF pledge focuses on ten areas which are:
1. Governance
2. Athletes’ Rights & Advocacy
3. Child Rights, Safeguarding and Youth Voice
4. Media, Communications and Stakeholder Engagement
5. Procurement, Partnerships and Ethical Trading
6. Conduct and Whistleblowing
7. Gender Equality and Non discrimination
8. LGBTQ+ Equality and Non discrimination
9. Para Sport inclusion and Non-discrimination of Different Abilities
10. Historical injustice & Racism
The announcement comes at the 10th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting takes place in Birmingham today on the eve of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. The meeting is traditionally held the day before the Commonwealth Games begins and brings together Sports Ministers and Senior Officials from the 72 nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
Speaking at the meeting, CGF President Dame Louise Martin said: “The CGF is proud to unveil our first Safeguarding Policy and a renewed commitment to upholding Human Rights through our updated statement.
Our work in this area is guided by our values of humanity, equality and destiny and underpinned by the Commonwealth Charter.
The Charter brings together the values and aspirations which unite our diverse membership, outlining our joint commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law, to promote peace and prosperity and to improve the lives of all peoples of the Commonwealth.
These principles are shared across Commonwealth organisations, and we are honoured to work in partnership with them to build a better future for our athletes and citizens around the world.”
To view the CGF Safeguarding Policy, click here.
To view the CGF updated Human Rights Policy Statement, click here.
About the CGF
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, and for delivering on the vision of the Commonwealth Sports Movement: through sport, we build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities across the Commonwealth.
The original press release can be found here : https://thecgf.com/news/cgf-announce-new-safeguarding-approach-and-renewed-human-rights-commitment
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