On March 13-14 ENGSO EWS participated in the United Nations Human Rights Regional Consultation for Europe on a World of Sport Free from Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in Brussels, Belgium, represented by Vice Chair Sarah Townsend.

The consultation brought together a wealth of expertise and lived experience, with representation from athletes and players, sporting professionals such as referees and officials, as well as change-driven organisations and governing bodies. Sarah Townsend participated in the panel addressing the intersection of racial discrimination with discrimination based on gender, religion or belief and disability, and spoke to the intersection of gender and racial discrimination, highlighting the intersectional approach of the ENGSO EWS work. 

Existing mechanisms, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council, provide crucial avenues for applying pressure to drive change. Key takeaways from this two-day consultation highlight the critical need for a united front in addressing discrimination in sport. If we simultaneously work to implement this change from within our sporting institutions, we can help shape an evolving sports ecosystem that truly prioritises inclusion.