The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is launching a consultation for converging the language used in the sport and human rights movement. The consultation will agree on a shared understanding, create a common reference point, and promote appropriate, respectful and accurate terminology for use across the sport ecosystem. Over the next three years, we will consult on various terms in different rounds, asking for input on how to define these terms and suggestions on which terms are in need of a definition. 

To kick this project off, please see in this form an initial ten ‘Sport & Human Rights Terms’ and proposed definitions, both in simple terms and more technical language, for the first round of consultation. The terms have been chosen based on their frequent use in daily work in the area of sport and human rights. The proposed definitions are based on official sources where applicable, such as UN documents, and the Centre’s own understanding of these terms from our work in the field. 

We welcome your feedback on the suggested definitions by 31 October 2022. Please provide an explanation or your rationale for your suggestions on why certain definitions may be preferred over others and any official sources you base that on. We also welcome recommendations you have on terms to include in the next rounds of consultation. 

Once we have reviewed the feedback, we will publish agreed definitions as a living document, leaving room for further input and amendments due to the rapidly evolving nature and usage of many of the terms and changes within the sport and human rights movement. As this is an international movement, for each agreed term we will also consult on the appropriate translation into official UN languages. 

We look forward to your input! For any questions on the process or terms, do not hesitate to send an email to daniela.heerdt@sporthumanrights.org