Global perspective Human stories

UN Special Adviser to join World Economic Forum’s sports council

UN Special Adviser to join World Economic Forum’s sports council

Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace
The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace is set to become a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Role of Sports in Society, it was announced today.

“I am honoured to accept the invitation to become a member of this Council. I look forward to collaborating with fellow members and to bring the UN perspective to the table as to how to promote the use of sport as an innovative catalyst for social change,” said Wilfried Lemke.

Members of the council – which includes 17 influential leaders from governmental and non-governmental bodies, the private sector and international sports organizations – will convene for the inaugural summit to be held in Dubai on 7-9 November.

The agenda for the three-day summit, at which 700 participants will engage in interactive workshops and sessions, will be “examining the proposition that sport can be a powerful agent for change that should be leveraged by individuals, businesses, governments and elite athletes to drive significant positive development and progress in a social economic and political context.”

Founded in 1971, the World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

As the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Lemke spearheads the efforts of the UN system to promote sport as an instrument for development and peace, encouraging dialogue, collaboration and partnerships in this area.