World Rugby Announces Joint Sport Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection On World Refugee Day

Rugby’s governing body has confirmed a Joint Sport Pledge to ensure sport is leveraged for the benefit of displaced persons and their host communities globally on World Refugee Day (20 June).

What is the Joint Sport Pledge?

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach announced the Joint Sport Pledge on behalf of the Sport for Refugees Coalition at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in December 2023.

The “Joint Sport Pledge aims to ensure sport is leveraged for the benefit of displaced persons and their host communities globally”, said a press release from World Rugby. They added that “The pledge aims to mobilise resources, expertise and networks to promote access to, and opportunities through sport for, and with, displaced people and host communities, contributing to more inclusive and cohesive societies.”

World Rugby is one of 100 organisations, including over 40 National Olympic Committees and International Federations, as well as governments, refugee-led organisations, UN agencies, civil society organisations, private sector representatives and beyond in supporting the pledge.

The pledge also explores the role sport can play in the lives of refugees.

What Will World Rugby Pledge?

There are five areas where action can be taken through sport to contribute to the protection and inclusion of displaced people and host communities.

By pledging, organisations commit to delivering a specific output in one or more of the five commitment areas.

World Rugby has committed to supporting the third and fifth pillars specifically and through its existing sport-for-development partnerships, will continue to strengthen its sports offer in displacement contexts.

1. Promote an enabling environment, including policy, that delivers access to safe sport.
2. Promote and provide inclusive, safe, sport and play-based initiatives.
3. Promote and provide opportunities for enhanced skills and pathways in and through sport.
4. Use targets communication, evidence and advocacy.
5. Strengthen partnerships and coordination efforts.

In January 2024 World Rugby and ChildFund Rugby announced a multi-year extension of their social impact partnership.

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