Play the Game 2011
Cologne, 6 October 2011
COLOGNE CONSENSUS: TOWARDS A GLOBAL CODE FOR GOVERNANCE IN SPORT
The participants in the Play the Game 2011 conference, held at the German Sport University Cologne, state that the problems related to mismanagement an corruption in sports are serious and widespread.
The conference participants, including stakeholders and experts from over 40 countries, are convinced that the fundamental integrity and credibility of the sports movement is at stake, and that this is weakening the role of sport as a positive force in society.
Existing principles, mechanisms and institutions to enhance good governance and counter corruption have proved inadequate.
The Play the Game initiative and its conference participants remain committed to influencing sports governing and oversight bodies, in every way possible,regarding the urgent need for change. Play the Game 2011 recognizes the central role of organized sport, and encourages the international sports movement and, in particular, the International Olympic Committee to take a leading role in bringing about the necessary
change.
Therefore we propose the establishment of a Global Code for Governance in Sport based on a series of international standards covering inter alia:
- Governance documents and practices, and democratic procedures
- Representation principles, including age, gender, ethnicity, tenure and stakeholder issues
- Principles of autonomy and cooperation with governments
- Transparency and accountability, both operational and financial
- Monitoring, compliance and enforcement, including the feasibility of an independent agency to this end
- Development of grass-root sport
- Education, sharing of information and best practices
- Equity, inclusiveness, non-discrimination and minority protection
As a first step we encourage the IOC to organize a world conference before the end of 2012 in cooperation with governments, intergovernmental bodies such as the United Nations, the Council of Europe, OECD, the European Union and Interpol, sports stakeholders such as SportAccord, ANOC and non-Olympic sports organizations, as well as with representatives of elected athletes, sponsors, the gambling industry, the media community, academics, NGO’s and other relevant experts.
The conference should be used to draft the code and the international standards for good governance in sport. The code and the standards would be formally adopted by the IOC, the NOC’s, the international federations and their respective subsidiaries. Recognition and participation in international sports activities, as well as the bidding for and hosting of international sports events, should be made conditional upon adherence to the code and the standards
1 comment:
These are good standards, which I will comment on from the perspective of the FGG and other organisations.
1. Governance documents and practices, and democratic procedures. Most organisations have these and post them online.
2. Representation principles, including age, gender, ethnicity, tenure and stakeholder issues. The FGG has inclusionary policies and procedures and has worked to include younger, older, transgender, intersex, and female participants in the Gay Games. The Gay Games Scholarship Program helps persons without the resources to be able to participate. Our founding principles are Inclusion, Participation, and Personal Best.
We have held meetings with member organisations and stakeholders whenever we felt it would improve dialogue with them.
3. Principles of autonomy and cooperation with governments. As a 501c3 US nonprofit organisation, the FGG is autonomous from government. But realistically, the FGG and Gay Games hosts all work with and rely on governments to be able to put on our events.
4. Transparency and accountability, both operational and financial. This is something the FGG prides itself on. We are quite proud of the fact member organisations pay dues and participate in person in our meetings, that we elect officers and select Gay Games hosts in open and transparent processes, and that we and our hosts operate with financial transparency.
5. Monitoring, compliance and enforcement, including the feasibility of an independent agency to this end. Not sure exactly what this means, but the FGG has codes of conduct, conflict of interest, and disclosure policies that all new delegates and officers must agree to. This keeps us independent and ensures that our actions are appropriate.
6. Development of grass-root sport. The FGG is quite proud of the breadth and variety of our member organisations, who represent international, national, regional, and local sport (and cultural) groups. Their strength lies in their support of grass-root sports, we believe.
7. Education, sharing of information and best practices. The FGG has shared operational information and best practices with Gay Games hosts throughout its 29 year history. We have also shared operational information and best practices with our members, to help them do a better job of serving their members and sports.
8. Equity, inclusiveness, non-discrimination and minority protection. As noted above, the FGG has inclusionary policies and procedures and has worked to include younger, older, transgender, intersex, and female participants in the Gay Games. Our founding principles are Inclusion, Participation, and Personal Best.
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