SportWorks TALKS: “Solidarity: IOC’s core strategy to develop sports globally”

Hear about the role that solidarity plays in strengthening the sports community to build a better world through sports

8 June, 4:00pm - 5:00pm CEST

Solidarity is at the heart of the Olympic Spirit, and it is a pillar of the IOC strategy for the Olympic Movement, not only as a value but also as practice. The Olympic Solidarity vision, for instance, aims at providing assistance to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for athlete development programmes, in particular those with the greatest need. As a result, collaborations between NOCs are created and sports development is able to occur from grassroots to the elite level. However, solidarity networks are in constant evolution and not all stakeholders of the Olympic Movement are as aware of how they could contribute to more solidarity across the sporting world and even benefit from Olympic Solidarity’s assistance. In this upcoming TALK, Joëlle Simond, Head of NOC Information Services, and Sheila Stephens Desbans, Head of Sport Development Unit and leader of Olympic Solidarity programmes, will share the role solidarity plays in strengthening the sports community to build a better world through sport and the importance of understanding the different communication channels and strategies that exist.

Our speakers:

Born and raised in the Olympic Capital, Joëlle Simond joined the IOC shortly after graduating in political science almost 20 years ago. Passionate about international issues, her work in the NOC Relations Department is a daily source of motivation when it comes to finding the best way to effectively share information with 206 National Olympic Committees with a common mission but unique environments.
Born in Canada and living in Switzerland since 2000, Sheila Stephens Desbans recently joined the Olympic Solidarity team in the newly created Sport Development Unit. Previously she worked in World Rowing for 20 years, most recently as the Development Director. She has also been involved in various cross collaborations with the International Federations around development initiatives and has worked at the club, NF and with NOCs in various sports for more than 30 years.

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