About WCSE 2009

Fall 2008

You're invited to...

Every two years, the International Olympic Committee, in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, hosts a World Conference on Sport and the Environment.

As leader of the Olympic Movement, the IOC feels a strong social responsibility to actively promote a healthy environment and to set good standards. The environment is an important part of the work of the Olympic Movement and we recognize there can be many opportunities for sport and the Olympic Games to provide sustainable environmental legacies.

Our efforts to promote sustainable development have been driven by two major concerns. The impact sport - and, in particular, the Olympic Games - can have on the environment. We have translated our concerns into practical steps that ensure the practice of sport is not contributing to environmental degradation.

The second is the impact that a degraded environment can have on sport, the Olympic Games and, most importantly, the athletes. It is clear that athletes need clean and healthy conditions in which to train and compete. And, we are all too aware that the fragile condition of the environment could pose a direct threat to the future of the communities hosting our events.

The recent attention given to global warming has pushed environmental protection and sustainability to the very top of the agenda for governments, businesses and ordinary citizens.

In March 2009, the 8th World Conference on Sport and the Environment will be held in Vancouver, Canada with a theme of 'Innovation and Inspiration' and a subtheme of 'Harnessing the Power of Sport for Change'. 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.

Delegates to the conference are drawn from athletes, international and national sport federations, national Olympic committees, event organizers, government agencies, environmental non-government organizations, academic interests, corporate sponsors and sport industry representatives. This is as it should be, since every individual and every institution can and should play a role in preserving the planet.

This conference provides an excellent opportunity to advance best practices and new innovation involving sport for sustainable development - an important discussion for the Olympic Movement and for the world.

We hope you will participate in this important event.

Sincerely,