Can the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games help UK’s post-Brexit sport diplomacy get out of the starting blocks?
In summer 2022, Birmingham will be hosting the Commonwealth Games, the UK’s first ‘sport mega event’ in this post-Brexit landscape. The 2012 Olympics presented a clear positive vision of the UK as a young, dynamic and diverse country, as well as showcasing the UK’s longer term vision of its future with sustainability and legacy being a core part of the message. The 2022 Commonwealth Games present a similar opportunity to shape perceptions of the UK and enhance its soft power through sports diplomacy. It can also act as a reminder of the UK’s strengths as it plans its 2030 World Cup bid.
This Aston Centre for Europe and Foreign Policy Centre webinar will discuss how the Commonwealth Games present an opportunity to present a new vision of the UK, as well as help vital industries recover from the horrific toll of COVID-19. It will look at the different messages that could form part of this vision presented through the Games, including whether climate and sustainability will be play a central part after the COP26 conference in Glasgow this year. The event will also explore the different ways sport diplomacy can be carried forward as part of the UK’s post-Brexit soft power strategy.
Listen to an audio recording of the event below and you can watch the video of the event here.
The event will take place on Zoom.
Baroness Grey-Thompson, Paralympian, Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords and Broadcaster
Chris Matheson MP, Shadow Minister for Media
Neale Coleman CBE, Senior Advisor on London 2012
Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future
Dr Daniel Fitzpatrick, Lecturer at Aston Centre for Europe