BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman
With the blessings of His Holiness Pope Francis, the Vatican will be hosting Sports at the Service of Humanity, the first global conference on faith and sport on October 5-7, 2016.
The goal of the conference is to create a place where thought leaders from different religious faiths, sports, business, academia and media can discuss how faith and sport can work together to better serve humanity.
BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman is a member of the Advisory Committee assisting the Vatican in planning the Conference.
Religious faith and sport are fundamental driving forces within global society. Both share a common purpose in the promotion of human values and both have vital roles to fulfill. The conference intends to look at how faith and sport can leverage their combined power and influence to promote positive values, inspire youth and make contributions for the betterment of humanity.
The United Nations and the International Olympic Committee have expressed their support for the conference. The opening ceremony, on Oct. 5 at the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall, will be led by His Holiness Pope Francis, with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and IOC President Thomas Bach, who is currently bringing reforms to the Olympic Movement under Olympic Agenda 2020, invited as special guests.
The three-day gathering shall continue in the Synod Hall, Oct. 6-7 and is due to be attended by invited guests, with plenary sessions and themed breakout sessions. A final declaration is being planned.
Arrangements for the 2016 Conference are in development under the direction of Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture, who successfully hosted key influencers from around the world in September, 2015, to help shape the agenda for the upcoming 2016 Conference.