The Leeds Declaration

A collective vision and set of principles for community sport’s role in building inclusive, resilient communities and its potential to contribute to international development and diplomacy.

The Leeds Declaration was co-created by attendees at the first Leeds Summit on Community Sport for Development and Diplomacy in September 2025.

The summit was arranged and led by Participate World, the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds City Council and Sport Leeds, with ConnectSport CIC supporting as official media partner. More than 70 participants, practitioners and policy-makers, athletes and academics convened at the University of Leeds for two days to debate the power and potential of community sport as a developmental and diplomatic tool for both local and global impact, with the aim of launching the city as a global hub.

 

The Summit concluded with the co-creation of The Leeds Declaration, a collective vision and set of principles for community sport’s role in building inclusive, resilient communities and its potential to contribute to international development and diplomacy.

The Leeds Declaration on Community Sport for Development & Diplomacy is a collective vision and set of principles for community sport’s role in building inclusive, resilient communities and its potential to contribute to international development and diplomacy.

Read the Declaration.

Download a copy.

If you would like to associate with the Declaration, email chris.lomax@participateworld.org stating whether you wish to do so in a personal capacity or on behalf of an organisation.

Watch this space for more details coming soon. For further enquiries, please contact hello@connectsport.co.uk

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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.