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EspañolICSSPE Participates in the “Driving Passion and Profit: Impact Investment in and through Sport” Forum
ICSSPE
28/11/2025 14:54
The Driving Passion and Profit: Impact Investment in and through Sport Forum in Brisbane, Australia, hosted by Sport Matters (CEO Jackie Lauff, ICSSPE Development Committee member), in collaboration with For Impact Capital Investment Company and the Sport4Impact International Network, brought together leaders in sport-for-development, ESG, impact investment, academia, and community engagement across the Asia-Pacific region. Held at The Precinct in Brisbane, the two-day event explored the intersection of innovation, partnerships, and sustainability within sport.
ICSSPE Representation
ICSSPE was represented by Prof. Dr. Beatriz Ferreira, Vice-President of ICSSPE, whose participation highlighted the organization’s scientific and global mission. While her presentation did not focus directly on ICSSPE, it offered an important opportunity to introduce the organization to a wide network of professionals, investors, researchers, and community leaders in the region.
Prof. Dr. Ferreira presented “Measuring Social and Cultural Impact Through the Indigenous Peoples’ Games in Brazil” as part of the Forum’s Roundtable on Impact Measurement on 24 November. Her presentation aligned closely with the Forum’s agenda, emphasizing the broader social and cultural value of sport beyond financial returns.
Key Messages from ICSSPE
- Respect cultural sovereignty in impact investment – Indigenous communities should lead decision-making, ensuring investments support autonomy, traditions, and self-defined priorities.
- Prioritize long-term capacity building – Sustainable investment must go beyond funding events to include programs for Indigenous youth, women, teachers, and leaders.
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Measure what truly matters – Evaluation frameworks should capture social and cultural outcomes, including:
- Identity, pride, and community cohesion
- Empowerment of women and girls
- Protection of biodiversity and territories
- Continuity of ancestral knowledge and traditional games
- Reduction of violence and improved well-being
These outcomes connect directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Health (3), Education (4), Gender Equality (5), Reduced Inequalities (10), Sustainable Communities (11), Climate Action (13), and Peace and Strong Institutions (16).
Forum Highlights
- Innovation, Investment & Impact: Integrated approaches linking economic development, social impact, and legacy planning were emphasized, including insights from the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee.
- Emerging ESG Compliance in Sport: Discussions explored how global sustainability standards are shaping sport organizations, with contributions from environmental, ESG, and philanthropic experts.
- Regional and Inclusive Impact Stories: Sessions showcased Pasifika and Queensland initiatives, highlighting community-led, culturally grounded, and disability-inclusive sport programs.
- Partnerships and Scaling: World Café discussions underscored the importance of data, risk mitigation, and collaborations to expand inclusive sport-for-development projects.
The Forum highlighted sport’s power as a driver of social, cultural, environmental, and economic transformation. ICSSPE’s participation reinforced its commitment to advancing evidence-based, inclusive, and culturally respectful sport practices while expanding its international networks and influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Photo: @JaydenGuarnaccia-82