The Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting (CSMM) recently hosted in Paris, France, saw the attendance of Guyana’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, and Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle.
The 11th edition of the CSMM, organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat, was hosted from July 24 – 25, 2024. Hosted by the Government of Canada, the meeting brought together sports ministers, senior officials, and key stakeholders in sport for development from across the Commonwealth.
The theme of the CSMM this year was ‘Building Inclusive and Resilient Societies through Sport’, and the primary objective of the meeting was to galvanise Commonwealth consensus and cooperation on key sport policy issues in the Commonwealth, and address how this can be achieved through a more united Commonwealth.
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth’s 56 member states explored policy options for ‘One Resilient Common Future’ at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, Samoa in October 2024.
Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr
Sport ministers contributed to that wider policy agenda-setting process through the discussions at the CSMM.
Sport is a catalyst for social change, and can provide opportunities for member states to adopt policies that would help build inclusive and resilient societies in pursuit of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030, as defined by the United Nations.
The policy framework of the meeting provided a comprehensive approach to implementing Sustainable Development Programme (SDP) initiatives at country level with a focus on good governance and human rights, intersectoral approaches, and ensuring evidence-based impact as a foundation for enterprise development and investment.
The Commonwealth Games are a symbol of the values, principles and potential of the modern Commonwealth. The Games are the most widely recognized and accessible product for most of the 2.5 billion Commonwealth citizens. In many circles, the future of the Commonwealth Games and the continued relevance of the Commonwealth institution itself are connected.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) President Chris Jenkins OBE, and CEO Katie Sadleir contributed to the CSMM, with Sadleir presenting the CGF’s ten-year strategic plan under the title “Commonwealth United” and the President presenting the model for future Games.
There were also reports delivered on the recent successes of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games, and discussions were had on the renewed vision for the Commonwealth Sport Movement as a whole, considering the opportunities to explore and maximize impacts and benefits of sport across the Commonwealth.
In addition, the President also provided an overview of the incredible work undertaken over the last seven years to deliver the GAPS programme to athletes across the Commonwealth. GAPS is Commonwealth Sports’ Para-sport development and inclusion pathway programme that provides para-athletes and coaches with access to skills, knowledge, and resources that aid their personal development and training as they prepare for competition.
The programme also supports the development of inclusive sport pathways that promote positive social change in sport and communities throughout the Commonwealth.
The programme is a clear example of how sport can contribute in building inclusive and resilient societies.
