Today marks the registration launch for the 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment (WCSE). The event will be held from 29 to 31 March 2009 in Vancouver, host of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Organised jointly by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Vancouver 2010 Organising Committee (VANOC), in close partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the conference will bring together representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions dealing with sport and the environment, the United Nations system, universities, as well as the Olympic Family.
Two conference tracks
Under the main theme, “Innovation and Inspiration”, the 2009 World Conference on Sport and the Environment will focus on two conference tracks: Sport for Environmental Solutions and Sport for Sustainable Living. The conference will provide a timely opportunity for the global community to come together and recognise the progress being made in staging more sustainable sporting events; and to encourage cooperation and further development of environmental initiatives relating to sport. In addition to the conference, an “Innovation and Inspiration” exposition will showcase best practices by sport organisations, event organisers, host and bid cities, corporate sponsors and NGOs, all of whom promote sustainable living and development through sport.
Pushing for sustainable environmental legacies
“The environment is an important part of the work of the Olympic Movement, and we recognise there can be many opportunities for sport and the Olympic Games to provide sustainable environmental legacies,” said Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC. “The recent attention given to global warming has pushed sustainability to the very top of the agenda for governments, businesses and ordinary citizens. The Conference brings together the worlds of sport and environment to share knowledge and advance practices related to sport and its relationship with the environment and communities.”
First ever IOC Sport and Environment Award
The conference will also be the perfect platform to hand over the first ever IOC Awards for Sport and the Environment. These new, biennial awards, which will be given to a nominee from each of the five continents, recognise outstanding activities by the Olympic Family in the field of sustainable sport and the environment.
Save your place!
Save your place and register now on the dedicated conference website at www.wcse2009.com. Besides the registration section, the website offers extensive information on the programme, the exhibition, the organisers, side events, the venue and accommodation. Furthermore you can learn about the organisers’ efforts to make this event truly sustainable.