PARIS FOLLOW-UP

Policy Change for Disability Inclusion in Sport: Paris 2024 Call to Action Follow-Up

As the United Nations’ lead agency for sport and physical education, and in line with the International Charter
of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Sport, UNESCO supports its Member States in developing and
implementing inclusive, equitable and safe sport and physical education policies. Powered by the Fit for Life
Sport Alliance, a global coalition of like-minded actors from sport and non-sport sectors, UNESCO’s work in
sport focuses on four priorities: anti-racism, gender equality, violence prevention and disability inclusion.

On 28 August 2024, during the International Disability Inclusion Conference held in Paris on the occasion of
the 2024 Paralympic Games, UNESCO and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) launched the Paris
2024 Call to Action, which aims to advance disability inclusion in sport. Participants of this conference
highlighted the importance of developing more inclusive policies, increasing investments, and strengthening
data collection regarding disability inclusion in sport and physical education (PE).

As a follow-up to the Call to Action, the 2025 International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity and the
International Symposium on Physical Activity and Visual Impairment or Deafblindness (ISAPA), under the patronage
of UNESCO, are joining forces to standardize approaches that increase the inclusion of persons with
disabilities in sport and physical activity. This aligns with the ongoing work of UNESCO’s Fit for Life Global
Sport Alliance and the Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS).

UNESCO – ISAPA International Consultation Overview (19 June 2025)

On Thursday 19 June 2025, 12.30-17.00, ISAPA’s international consultation “Policy Change for Disability
Inclusion in Sport: Paris 2024 Call to Action Follow-Up” will bring together embassy/government
representatives along with the forum’s delegates from academia, the private sector and civil society.
The consultation aims to gather insights for the refinement of global standards for inclusive, equitable
and safe sport. These standards, aligned with the Paris 2024 Call to Action and UNESCO’s policy
recommendations, will support UNESCO Member States in advancing inclusive, equitable and safe sport
policies. Participants will also provide feedback on proposed harmonized metrics to support data collection,
analysis and impact measurement in sport and physical education.

In addition, discussions will focus on the importance of bridging policy and research related to inclusive sport,
and building capacities for inclusion among governments, universities, and sport organizations.
Embassy staff in Ireland and representatives from public sport authorities worldwide are invited to the event
as a commitment and an opportunity to advance disability inclusion in sport.

Representatives attending the consultation will be required to:

Familiarize themselves with the Paris 2024 Call to Action and consult their sport ministries to better understand their country’s efforts regarding disability inclusion in sport and physical education.
Prepare a country note in advance (maximum three pages) containing the following information:
1. A short summary of your government’s efforts to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities in sport and physical education, including investments, innovative policies, infrastructure developments, capacity building and training programmes, and/or other initiatives.
2. Identify one or two actions of the Paris 2024 Call to Action that your government is prioritizing or intends to prioritize in the coming years. Details of a successful policy example related to these areas or plans for their upcoming implementation should be included.
3. Information on collaboration with other ministries and other relevant stakeholders, including academics, universities and research institutions.
4. Information on how persons with disabilities are involved in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of sport policies.
5. Good practices or challenges your country faces in collecting disability-specific data in sport and
  physical education, as well as in implementing and monitoring sport action plans or strategies
  developed with and for persons with disabilities.

The note should be submitted to the ISAPA and UNESCO teams (Catherine Carty catherine.carty@mtu.ie and Giulia Scacchi g.scacchi@unesco.org) no later than Friday 2nd May 2025.

Respondents, including policymakers and practitioners, will be invited to join interactive breakout sessions to
present their country note and engage in discussions focused on global standards for inclusive, equitable
and safe sport. These sessions will also offer a platform for peer learning and exchanges with academic
delegates, who can highlight challenges and actionable solutions to bridge research and policymaking.
Further details on the standards in focus at breakout sessions will be shared in advance.
A gala dinner is scheduled for the evening of 19th June, following the event. Information on registration and
logistics are available here or can be directed to sonya.hannon@mtu.ie.
Please note that the event will be held in English.

PARIS FOLLOW-UP

Our Partners