Providing consultancy services in business and human rights just like in human rights and sport, the Cares Project has been an advisor to leading actors in German and European high level sports. Latest clients include the Council of Europe, the German high level athletes’ representation Athleten Deutschland e.V., and the German Football Federation (DFB) among others. With the publication, Jonas Burgheim now provides a glimpse at subject-specific insights into content and challenges of business and human rights work in sports. Following an introductory part providing some foundational information on UNGP and NAP, Burgheim shares considerations on the specific nature of the current business model in high level sports. As centre piece of the article, he then addresses the state of play and the particular challenges faced in implementing human rights due diligence in (German) high level sports before providing an outlook at the potential future relevance of and approach to the theme in a larger policy setting.

Burgheim describes that German high level sports, just like large parts of private business in general, are still in the early stages of taking on business and human rights responsibilities. While first sporting organisations are re-calibrating their role thereto, this can only be considered an initial step of a so far hesitant implementation process. According to Burgheim’s analysis, the depth and intensity of human rights considerations in sports will increase along with a general business obligation to observe human rights requirements in the future. This development is assumed to be fueled by the expected legal steps on German and EU levels.

For more detailed information and individual consultancy services, please be in touch in making use of the Cares Project’s contact form.

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Results of the assessment were provided to Athleten Deutschland e.V. in a written report, which can serve as a basis for the future work of the organisation in this field. As an important part of this, major policy developments were analysed with regard to their future impact on sporting organisations. According to the author, it can well be expected that there will be an increasing relevance of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) in the nearer future. As a result of this, core findings from the assessment are likely to become relevant for other key actors in sport.

In case of your interest in a similar specialised review and/or our expertise with regard to the implementation of the UNGP in your organisation, please contact the Cares Project here.

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In an appearance at the Council of Europe (CoE), Cares Project founder and director, Jonas Burgheim, laid the basis for stakeholder content discussions during a “Workshop on the possible revision of the European Sports Charter”. As a final step of the related mandate and upon invitation by the CoE, Jonas Burgheim, presented the core findings and recommendations from an Analysis and Recommendations Report. Sport Cares had drawn up this expert review for the CoE Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) as part of a multi-month assignment. While the presentation constituted the core initial agenda item, it laid the ground for a day of expert discussions on the European Sports Charter (ESC) review process.

The Report was based upon an initial impact assessment of the ESC previously delivered by Sport Cares. With its content analysis of the existing ESC and substantial recommendations for a revised Charter version, it provided tailor-made expert input for the review process. Mr Burgheim’s presentation was met with appreciation and contributed to an informed discourse during this first-of-a-kind stakeholder workshop as part of the ESC review considerations.

The event was held at the Brussels Jacques Delors Building on September 11, 2019, in participation of government, international sports and civil society organisations, representatives of other interest groups, and experts from the sport policy field.

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In his article “Human Rights and Sport in the International Policy Arena” Burgheim takes his readers on a tour d’horizon through exisiting human rights policy with a relevance for sports. He points to some of the most pressing and challenging themes in this policy area while creating an understanding for underlying processes. His particular focus is on the intersection of public and private interests and includes a strong call for a universal respect for human rights – including in sports. Burgheim also suggests paths of evolution in this field for the future.

The publication is available in an open access format at: https://www.zeitschriftfuermenschenrechte.de/open-access/zfmr_2_2016.pdf

As a reference, please use:
Jonas Burgheim, Human Rights and Sport in the International Policy Arena, in: Journal for Human Rights/Zeitschrift für Menschenrechte 2/2016, pp. 26-43, Wochenschau Verlag, Schwalbach 2017

ISSN: 1864-6492
ISBN (electronic format): 978-3-7344-0435-1

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