Beyond 2030: Converging and collaborating to strengthen sport's contribution to sustainable development
The potential for sport to make positive contributions to society is well recognised, and sport is acknowledged in the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as an important enabler to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But with only 17% of the SDGs having been achieved so far*, how can policy-makers, academics and practitioners across sport and civil society converge, collaborate and leverage private/public partnerships over the next five years? And what will be the role of sport in building a better world beyond 2030?
The Sport Development Network (SDN), in partnership with The Commonwealth Secretariat and ConnectSport CIC, will bring together leading voices from across academia, policy and practice to explore and debate these questions.
Register now for this free online event on Thursday 18th September 2025 (1300-1600 BST).
Key themes include:
- With only 17% of the SDGs achieved*, what has been the contribution of sport?
- Research and knowledge on sport and the SDGs: What do we know so far?
- Advocating for better systems: How do we convene and collaborate more effectively?
- How and where is sport’s contribution to the SDGs working most effectively in practice?
* According to the UN’s 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report.
Keynote speakers:
Convention schedule:
- 1300 Introduction from Sport Development Network (SDN) co-chair and ConnectSport CIC.
- 1315 Overview and context - Dr Lin C Sambili Gicheha and Dr Ben Farai Sanders.
- 1330 Academic research and knowledge - Prof Iain Lindsey.
- 1350 Interval.
- 1400 Industry insight (i): Building better systems - James Mapstone.
- 1415 Industry insight: (ii) Solutions and effective practice - Lombe Mwamba.
- 1430 Industry insight (iii): Contemporary/future-oriented positive developments and approaches - Prof Richard Giulianotti.
- 1445 Interval.
- 1455 Panel discussion, including questions from the floor.
- 1525 Online padlets open for audience reflections and recommendations, and proposed actions.
- 1545 Closing comments from The Commonwealth Secretariat and SDN.
About the SDN:
The Sport Development Network (SDN) is an informal network of professionals working in different areas of community sport development, who believe in the use of practice-informed research and research-informed practice. Each year the SDN holds an annual convention, with an in-person event being held every second year. Last September it was hosted by Nottingham Trent University with more than 80 attending from across academia, policy and practice. Visit uksdn.org
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To find out more about the Sport Development Network (SDN) visit uksdn.org or contact sdnchair@gmail.com
To find out more about how ConnectSport CIC can support your campaign or event, please contact hello@connectsport.co.uk All profits received are reinvested in training more socially-responsible journalists and content creators, and raising awareness for more locally-trusted organisations.
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