17 March 2025
World Curling sign Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration
World Curling have become the latest signatories of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, further advancing our commitment to improving gender equality in curling both on and off the ice.
This treaty was established by the International Working Group (IWG) in 1994 and has the commitment from nearly 600 other global organisations, including International Federations, National Governing Bodies and other sporting and physical activity organisations.
There are ten principles within the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration that signatories must oblige to as part of the treaty.
- Equity and Equality in Society and Sport
- Facilities
- School and Youth Sport
- Developing Participation
- High Performance Sport
- Leadership in Sport
- Education, Training and Development
- Sport Information and Research
- Resources
- Domestic and International Cooperation
World Curling continue to promote gender equality across the organisation. In 2023, World Curling formed the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group (DEI) to raise awareness of what diversity, equity and inclusion means across the sport of curling and to advise how DEI can be embedded into programmes and initiatives in curling.
Also at operational level, our Athlete Commission has expanded to ensure the inclusion of gender-based representation and, at our Annual General Meetings, we require diverse representation from Member Associations.
On the ice, World Curling ensure to offer equal events for all at events across the curling calendar, from our own competitions to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
By signing this treaty, World Curling have highlighted and will continue to show our commitment to enabling women and girls to participate safely and fairly within the sport.
World Curling’s President, Beau Welling, said: “It’s important to World Curling that we are a signatory of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration.
“This marks a significant step forward in our commitment and collective responsibility to foster inclusivity, equality and growth within curling.
“By signing this treaty, we pledge to ensure that curling remains a welcoming place for all.”
Lisa O’Keefe MBE, Secretary General of IWG, said: “It’s a pleasure to announce World Curling as the latest signatory of the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration as an indication of their ongoing commitment to gender equality.
“World Curling’s ‘The Way Forward’ strategic plan highlighted ‘increasing diversity on the board’ and ‘addressing gender equality’ as areas for strategic focus back in 2020, and since then they have established a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group which aims to raise awareness across the sport as well as support the implementation of gender balance activities as recommended by the IOC.
“We are looking forward to working with World Curling as they continue to develop their action plan, and sharing their brilliant work with the wider IWG network.”
Find out more about the Declaration, the other signatories and about the IWG here.
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