The IPC reveals new strategic direction

"We have ensured that this is a strategic plan for all and a plan, that through five strategic priorities, leads the way for the Paralympic Movement. Over the next four years it charts a course for IPC members to follow as we harness the unique transformational energy of the Paralympic Movement."

Ahead of its 30th anniversary later this year, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has published its latest Strategic Plan 2019-2022 signalling the start of a bright and exciting new era for the Paralympic Movement.

The IPC Strategic Plan 2019-2022 can be downloaded from the IPC website in English and will be available in French, Spanish and German later this month.

Following 12 months of consultation with members and stakeholders - including last September’s IPC Membership Gathering in Madrid, Spain - the new plan sees the IPC placing greater emphasis on the impact its work has on transforming attitudes towards persons with disabilities and driving social inclusion.

Reflecting this, the IPC has refined its vision and developed a new mission statement that better reflects its purpose in using sport as a catalyst to create a better world for all.

The IPC’s refined vision is: to make for an inclusive world through sport. Its new mission is: to lead the Paralympic Movement, oversee the delivery of the Paralympic Games and support members to enable Para athletes to achieve sporting excellence.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President, said: “Since its creation in 1989, the IPC has enjoyed 30 years of tremendous growth. This has been reflected in the Movement’s expansion to more than 200 member-organisations, the rapid improvement in Para athletic performance across all sports, and the evolution of the Paralympic Games into the world’s number one sport event for driving social inclusion.

“Acting on the feedback from our members and stakeholders, we have ensured that this is a strategic plan for all and a plan, that through five strategic priorities, leads the way for the Paralympic Movement. Over the next four years it charts a course for IPC members to follow as we harness the unique transformational energy of the Paralympic Movement.

“Para athletes, fair and competitive sport and strategic partnerships represent core pillars of the Paralympic Movement that are essential to safeguarding its long-term integrity and development.

“By delivering this plan, we will make sure that the IPC is an open, proactive and collaborative support organisation that better engages, understands, and addresses the needs of its members and its athlete community.

“Our members are the ones providing pathways for athletes on a day-to-day basis. As an umbrella organisation, we must support them so they can offer the best structure for athletes in their country, region or sport.”

Chelsey Gotell, IPC Athletes’ Council Chairperson, said: “With this new strategic plan, the IPC really is looking to walk the talk when it comes to be an athlete-centred organisation. Over the next four years athletes will play a bigger role in the IPC’s decision-making process and I am really pleased that this new plan dovetails in with the IPC Athletes’ Council’s own four-year strategy published earlier this year.”

Five priorities

The new plan developed by the IPC Governing Board and management team focuses on five strategic priorities. These are:

• Strengthen the effectiveness of the Paralympic Movement at all levels

• Enhance the Paralympic Games experience and further its reach as a celebration of human diversity

• Drive a cultural shift through Para sport for a truly inclusive society

• Continuous pursuit of excellence in what we do and how we do it

• Develop and deliver a new brand statement that globally positions our vision and mission

“There is no escaping the fact that the Paralympic Movement’s work has a significant and profound impact on society,” said Parsons. “A particular area in which we can witness the power of the Paralympic Movement is in how we advance several of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are designed to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. By continuing to capitalise on the growing profile of our activities, sport events and Para athletes, together we can advance the SDGs, engage greater audiences and transform global attitudes towards persons with disabilities, celebrating diversity and uniqueness along the way.

“We will work closer with our members, IOC counterparts and other strategic partners that share our passion for inclusion to promote effective storytelling, fully maximising the opportunities presented to us by the digital revolution.”

Bright future

On 22 September 2019, the IPC will celebrate 30 years since it was founded in Dusseldorf, Germany, while this year also marks 20 years since the IPC established its headquarters in Bonn. According to the IPC President, the future for the IPC is extremely bright.

Parsons said: “As the IPC celebrates 30 fantastic years, I am certain that the organisation’s best and most fruitful years still lie ahead. We have achieved a lot - probably more than most could have dreamt of back in 1989 - but, in my view, we are still only scratching the surface of what we can achieve. The key now is to unlock and maximise the potential of the Paralympic Movement.

“Together I am confident we can do this. We have a unique opportunity to transform the world, empowering the lives of the world’s one billion persons with disabilities.

“Together, we can make a more inclusive world through Para sport.”