About Us

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights is a human rights organisation for the world of sport. Our mission is to advance a world of sport that fully respects and promotes human rights by generating awareness, building capacity and delivering impact. 

SPORT AND HUMAN RIGHTS:

There is nothing like sport in bringing communities together, inspiring young people, and finding points of connection across diverse societies. As one of the few truly global social forces, sport joins the international community around shared values, while showcasing the boundless achievements of individuals and teams, and providing a platform for engagement, inspiration and action. Yet a gap remains between the promise and reality of sport for many people from the grassroots to the elite and professional levels. Significant power imbalances and lack of accountability in sport have resulted in people being more vulnerable to harm, which has undermined the legitimacy and credibility of the entire sports ecosystem. 

At a time when the world needs to harness the unique power of sport more than ever, the Centre for Sport and Human Rights exists to close the gap between the promise and the reality of sport. 

WHO WE ARE:

We have a unique governance structure with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), formally part of our governance alongside leading global bodies representing workers, employers, and athletes. Our broad coalition of Advisory Council members and Engaged Organisations includes some of the most influential institutions in sport, each committed to the Sporting Chance Principles.

Headquartered in Geneva, an international hub for human rights, we engage all actors in sport to understand and act upon their own roles and human rights responsibilities, shaping collective action aimed at building trust, conducting outreach, and deepening engagement with stakeholders across the entire sport ecosystem. 

Governed by an independent board of directors, we are a non-profit organisation registered in Switzerland and the UK, dedicated to fulfilling our mission for the benefit of people and communities affected or impacted by sport, namely: athletes, workers, communities, fans, volunteers, coaches, officials, administrators, and journalists, with a particular focus on the rights of at-risk, vulnerable and historically disadvantaged groups in all parts of the world.

Since our launch in 2018, we developed a track record of independent human rights analysis as well as constructive interventions and collaborative engagement with all constituencies, earning a reputation as a trusted organisation committed to working collaboratively to identify practical solutions and approaches needed to effect positive change.

Download an overview of the Centre here.
Download our strategic plan Convergence 2025 here.
Read about what we do in practice here.