Professor Downward joined a world-leading consortium of leading voices for the ‘Expert Roundtable on Impact Investment in Sport’.

The exclusive panel discussion detailed methods and best practices to influence and impact sport development on a global scale and will form part of discussions at the 7th International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sport (MINEPS VII), which will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 26-29 June 2023.

Professor Downward will be present at the MINEPS conference to support these discussions along with other Loughborough University colleagues (Professor Richard Giulianotti, Dr Oliver Hooper, and Professor Paula Griffiths) with whom he has also worked in analysing UNESCO data on quality physical education to inform UNESCO’s ‘Fit for Life’ strategy, which will be also discussed at MINEPS.

Other colleagues that have worked on the data producing a report for UNESCO include Dr Rachel Sandford, Dr Julie Stirrup, Professor Lorraine Cale, and Damith Chandrasenage.

“These initiatives indicate the unique world leading multidisciplinary thought leadership that the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences brings to the analysis of sport and physical activity globally,” commented Prof Downward.

Loughborough continues to enjoy a strong working relationship with UNESCO which has been spearheaded by Professor Richard Giulianotti’s appointment as the University’s UNESCO Chair in Sport, Physical Activity and Education for Development.