Paris 2024: IPC and UNESCO to host Disability Inclusion Conference

On the eve of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and UNESCO are hosting the International Disability Inclusion Conference: Harnessing the transformational impact of Para sport.

This groundbreaking event, which will be attended by multiple government ministers, aims to kickstart a range of actions that will advance the rights and opportunities for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disabilities 

Taking place at UNESCO’s Paris headquarters on 27 and 28 August, the event is bringing together global experts from the Paralympic Movement, athletes, leaders in the private sector, and government representatives to look at ways they can encourage investment from all sectors in inclusive sport and physical activity to further disability inclusion. 

View the full Conference programme.

Andrew Parsons, IPC President: “On the occasion of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, the IPC is excited to partner with UNESCO to bring multiple government ministers and the world’s leading experts on disability inclusion together in French capital.

"By uniting so much expertise, knowledge and brainpower in one room, we aim to create a call to action on how we can all harness the transformational impact of Para sport to advance the rights and opportunities for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disabilities. 

“At the IPC we truly believe that Change Starts with Sport. With a record cumulative TV audience of 4.25 billion expected to watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we have the perfect platform to bring the important decision makers and persons of influence to the table for the first time to really leverage the incredible power of the Paralympics to create a more inclusive world.” 

Assistant Director-General for UNESCO's Social and Human Sciences Sector, Gabriela Ramos said: "Let's take advantage of the Paralympic Games to foster greater disability inclusion across all areas of society.

"UNESCO is pleased to join forces with the International Paralympic Committee to work collectively towards this important goal!"

Tuesday’s multistakeholder Partners Forum, is focused on five key themes, each of which will showcase expertise and good practices from around the world through a series of impact talks and panel discussions. The five themes are: 

• Fostering more inclusive societies through Para sport and physical activity 

• Accessible infrastructure and equipment 

• Persons with disabilities: Holders of cultural rights at the forefront of inclusivity and cultural diversity 

• Inclusive quality physical education and play 

• Breaking down barriers through data-driven sport policies and programmes  

Amongst the 30 speakers and panellists for Tuesday’s sessions are Paralympian Marie Amelie Le Fur, President of the French Paralympic and Sport Committee; Alex Mahon, CEO of Channel 4; Juan Pablo Salazar, Inclusion Co-ordinator at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean; Suzanne Edwards, Head of Hosting Accessibility Standards at Airbnb; and James Chiutsi, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Malawi. 

Wednesday’s Ministerial Forum will examine how governments can make innovative policy changes to further inclusive and accessible sport opportunities as well as explore ways to increase investment in Para sport. 

The Forum will open with remarks from Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO; Andrew Parsons, IPC President, and a video message from Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General.

Ugandan Paralympian Husnah Kukundakwe – the youngest athlete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – will also share her story of the transformational impact Para sport has had on her life. 

Wednesday’s stellar line-up of speakers features multiple government ministers from around the world including Paralympian Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Sport and Physical Activity; Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, France’s Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Alessandra Locatelli, Italy’s Minister for Disabilities; Jaime Pizarro, Chile’s Minister of Sport and CIGEPS Chairperson; Anika Wells, Australia’s Minister for Sport; Nomin Chinba, Mongolia’s Minister of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth; and Luiz Cristina López Trejos, Colombia’s Minister for Sport. 

Eleven speakers over the two days are Paralympians, including British Paralympic swimmer Liz Johnson who will serve as moderator and IPC CEO Mike Peters, who will provide closing remarks on Wednesday. 

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will take place 28 August-8 September and will feature around 4,400 athletes who will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports.