The University of Connecticut (UConn) is gearing up to host the second Dodd Human Rights Summit from October 22 to 24, 2023, at the Dodd Center for Human Rights in Storrs, Connecticut. This anticipated three-day event, themed “Sport & Human Rights,” will convene an impressive assembly of world-renowned athletes, journalists, scholars, and human rights advocates to navigate the complex interplay between sports and human rights.
The opening ceremony will feature a keynote conversation with Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two Olympic athletes whose iconic raised-fist salute during the 1968 Mexico City Games has come to symbolize protest and solidarity against racial injustice. The conversation, moderated by ESPN’s William C. Rhoden, will take place on the evening of October 22 at the Student Union Theatre. This notable discussion aims to address the pivotal role athletes can play in championing social justice, highlighting how sports can serve as both a platform and a stage for human rights advocacy.
Exploring Gender and Resistance
On the following day, the summit will delve into gender issues within sports, spotlighting how female athletes and other marginalized groups have historically resisted discrimination and fought for equality. The keynote speaker, Pablo Torre — a well-known sports commentator and former ESPN writer — will set the tone for discussions aimed at exploring the intersection of gender identity, resistance, and sports.
The day will culminate with a panel discussion around the concept of “sportwashing.” This term refers to how governments, corporations, and athletic governing bodies utilize major sporting events to enhance their image while obscuring or diverting attention from human rights concerns. This critical examination of sportwashing will shed light on the darker motivations that sometimes underlie high-profile sporting events.
Disability and Human Rights
The final day of the summit will conclude with a keynote address from Danelle Umstead, a Paralympic ski racing medalist. Her discussion will center on the relationship between disability rights and sports, illuminating the challenges and barriers faced by athletes with disabilities. This segment will also feature panels discussing the role of corporate power in sports and offer a platform for UConn athletes to share their experiences and perspectives.
Notable panelists include former UConn basketball player Doron Sheffer, track and field athlete Trisha Hawthorne-Noble, Olympian Bethany Hart Gerry, and others who have made significant contributions to sports. Their insights will provide attendees with a comprehensive view of how the sporting world interacts with broader human rights issues.
Understanding the Significance of Sports in Human Rights Advocacy
James Waller, the Christopher J. Dodd Chair in Human Rights Practice and director of Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs at UConn, acknowledges the dual role that sports play in promoting human rights. “Sport promotes fairness, nondiscrimination, respect, and equal opportunities for all,” Waller notes. However, he cautions that on its worst days, the sports industry can fall short of these ethical standards. The systemic issues of racial and sexual discrimination, financial exploitation, and suppression of athletes’ rights may tarnish the image of sports as a unifying force.
This summit thus provides a vital forum for critically engaging with these issues, inviting participants to examine the ways sports can both uplift and undermine human rights.
Open Invitation for Community Engagement
Importantly, the Dodd Human Rights Summit is free for the public, encouraging students, faculty, and community members to participate actively in discussions about the pressing issues at the intersection of sports and human rights. A comprehensive schedule is available online, detailing speaker lineups and session topics, ensuring attendees can make the most of this enriching experience.
Conclusion
The upcoming Dodd Human Rights Summit represents a promising opportunity to elevate the discourse on sports and human rights. By bringing together diverse voices from various fields, UConn hopes to ignite conversations that resonate beyond the athletic realm. This summit signals a growing recognition of the influential role sports can play in social change and human rights advocacy, encouraging future generations of athletes to harness their platforms for justice.
As we prepare for the summit, it is essential for attendees and participants to reflect on the various dimensions of athleticism and its capacity to both challenge and uphold human rights. By doing so, we can foster a more equitable and inclusive sporting culture that benefits individuals from all walks of life.
