Values behind the Games

Richard de Groen from the Commonwealth Games Federation has just explained to us in this video how uniting the Commonwealth family through sport is at the heart of the Games. But deeper than this are the Federation’s core values of humanity, destiny and equity that work towards promoting diversity and inclusion.

These values are behind every decision made by the CGF for the Commonwealth Games. They are key in helping to inspire and unite a common goal for the Games and have helped shape the way the Games have evolved over the decades.

Let’s find out more about the Federation and their commitment to diversity and inclusion as well as that of GOLDOC and Government bodies involved in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation

The Commonwealth Games Federation, founded in 1932, is the international organisation responsible for providing the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games and is the leading authority on all matters of the Games.

The role of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is to promote a unique, friendly world-class games and promote the well-being of the people of the commonwealth.¹

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

There is a huge potential for events such as the Commonwealth Games to create a positive impact for diversity and inclusion. The CGF’s commitment to this is made clear in the CGF’s Transformation 2020 document – a strategic planning document, which we heard Richard discuss in the video. It is also reflected throughout the CGF’s policies and plans and by setting in place structures to ensure this commitment is followed through with action. Examples of such action are the hosting of a human rights conference and providing a contribution to the GAPS Programme which we focus on in week 2 of this course.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC)

It is also important that other organisations involved with the Games – such as the host city’s event organising corporation share the vision and commitment for diversity and inclusion. For the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, GOLDOC (the event organising corporation) certainly reflected this vision and commitment and you can find out more on their dedicated webpage.

GOLDOC delivered a complete event in adherence to the international standards in sustainable events (ISO2012:1). Read more about this standard and find out what the six important points are.

In addition, GOLDOC committed, along with the Queensland Government, to deliver on commitments set out in the GC2018 Reconciliation Action Plan, designed to deliver legacy outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. (Learn more via the links in the ‘See also’ section below.) They also committed to plan and deliver the Games in line with its recently published human rights policy to manage the human rights impacts of the Games.

Practical commitment to diversity and inclusion

Beyond these important policy documents, GOLDOC’s practical commitments to diversity and inclusion included a world-first for a multi-sport event, the provision of an equal number of medal events for men and women, and the delivery of an integrated para-sports program, which was the largest para-sport program ever seen at a Commonwealth Games.

Government commitment to diversity and inclusion

As mentioned above, the Queensland State Government showed their commitment to diversity and inclusion by committing to the Reconciliation Action Plan. At the local government level, we also see commitment to the vision of equity and inclusion with the City of Gold Coast’s funding contribution to our GAPS Programme.

The action taken by all these organisations / government bodies is a powerful demonstration of the potential sport events have to carry out these commitments to diversity and inclusion, displaying the values that underlie this commitment. As we will see throughout the course, the benefits are numerous and great when individuals and organisations are prepared to invest in diversity and inclusion.

Your task

Visit the websites of the different organisations we have discussed and answer the questions below.

Questions

• Can you find their organisational goals, vision, mission and values?

• How do these relate to diversity and inclusion?

Websites

• Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)

• Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018)

Share what you find in the comments below.

You may also be interested in reading related links in the ‘See also’ section below.

References

1. The role of the Commonwealth Games Federation. Commonwealth Games Federation; 2014 [cited 9 March 2018]. Available from: https://www.thecgf.com/about/role.asp