Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar
Press Releases
Doha Goals Forum concluded with commitment to tangible change
300 initiatives put forward for review as near-3,000 participants attend two-day conference
The Doha GOALS Forum concluded today to great acclaim with guarantees that positive changes would be made on a global scale through the use of sport before the event returns to Doha next year.
A working group led by Executive Director of Doha GOALS Sheikh Faisal bin Mubarak Al Thani will process more than 300 proposed initiatives that came out of the conference.
READ MOREAt the event’s closing press conference it was announced that a number of initiatives will be selected from those proposed over the course of the next three months. The working group will define the further detail of the selected initiatives over the subsequent three months with the remaining five months prior to Doha GOALS 2013 earmarked as the delivery phase.
The inaugural Doha GOALS Forum ran at the Aspire Zone, Doha from December 10-12 and saw almost 3,000 participants from 60 countries meet to discuss how sport can be used as a vehicle for social and economic change.
The conference brought together a community of policymakers and government officials, heads of business, athletes, NGOs to build a roadmap for addressing social challenges through sport. 400 international students from 25 countries and 400 Qatari students travelled to the event.
Speakers at Doha GOALS included leaders in sport such as President of FIFA Sepp Blatter and Lord Coe, chairman of the organising committee of London 2012, as well as sporting champions such as multi-Olympic gold medalists Ian Thorpe and Carl Lewis.
Emphasising the role of delegates and students in contributing to the success of this road map, Sheikh Faisal promised every support from the team at Doha GOALS: "Without your help and partnership, we cannot get these goals implemented," he said, adding his heartfelt thanks to everyone who had participated in the event.
Richard Attias, Executive Chairman of Richard Attias and Associates and Executive Producer of Doha GOALS, said: “This community has been a fabulous laboratory of ideas. Sheikh Faisal and I had hoped initially for five to six initiatives to implement, but it has been really impressive with 200-plus potential ideas and we delighted to see so many from the students.
“Today, on 12/12/12, we have witnessed the birth of a new driving force, driven by government, the private sector and by the next generation, which has announced its commitment to create change. And we will be held accountable: to the public, and to each other, to deliver that change."
Carl Lewis, Nine time Olympic gold medallist, said at the closing press conference: “Sport has the power to change lives and it was wonderful to have such a strong collective international community gathered here in Doha, who all made commitments to making meaningful change and improving lives.”
The aim of the initiative is to build a community of hundreds of key influencers from all areas who believe that sport is a crucial vehicle for nation building and development. Most importantly, the forum has been designed to deliver tangible action items, such as the launching of a Global Student Ambassador programme for youth leaders from all around the world, and a global NGO to help underprivileged children.
The objectives of the Forum were dictated by a taskforce of more than 50 of the leading policymakers, innovators, sports scientists, physicians, federation heads, academics, athletes, corporate executives and competitors who gathered for a Pre-Forum event in January 2012. This group, which included top executives from FC Barcelona, IMG, Coca-Cola, as well as federation heads, and past and present athletes, debated economic development, the commercialisation of sports, the welfare of athletes, and sport as a vehicle for tourism growth.
For more information:
For media enquiries, contact Tom Rubashow, Pitch, tom.rubashow@pitch.co.uk, telephone +44 (0)207 494 1616.For all other enquiries, email dohagoals@richardattiasassociates.com.
www.dohagoals.com
EDITORS’ NOTES
About Aspire Zone Foundation
Having been established in 2003 as a Sports City project, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) today works to develop sports champions, promote healthy lifestyles, provide sports medicine services, and galvanise the sports economy of today and of the future. Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is a pioneering international sport project, thanks to its member organisation which embraces Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire logistics. All these corporate entities were unified by Emiri decree in 2008.
Located in Doha, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) boasts international-standard services and hosts global sports events; all of which contribute to the vibrant sports economy of Qatar. Aspire Zone is home to some of the world’s finest sport amenities and services offering an impressive integration of sport, sports medicine and research, and sport education. It is a perfect setting to combine sport and leisure.
Moreover, AZF was voted the World’s Leading Sports Tourism Development Project for the World Travel Awards 2011; an award that is deserved indeed. In 2011 alone, Aspire Zone was honoured with the successful hosting of high profile events, such as the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup 2011, some of the tournament games, and some competitions of the regionally-renowned Arab Games.
About Richard Attias & Associates
Richard Attias & Associates is a strategic communications firm that provides private consultancy and idea initiatives. Our mission is to help leaders, corporations and nations build their global influence, catalyze innovation and lead the global exchange of ideas. Using our strategic and operational expertise, we create interactive platforms, living laboratories of human capital, and historic cultural exchanges that help foster positive change for the global community.
Some of the work that RAA has created or produced in the last year includes: New York Forum® and New York Forum® AFRICA; APEC CEO Summit in Hawaii; The New York Times Schools for Tomorrow, Energy for Tomorrow and Opportunities for Tomorrow conferences; Global Food Security Forum in Morocco; Global Competitiveness Forum in Saudi Arabia; Qatar – US Business Forum in New York; Conference of Nobel Laureates; and African Securities Exchange Association Summit.
Richard Attias is a global influencer and was the exclusive producer of the World Economic Forum meetings, including the Davos Forum for 14 years and the co-founder of the Clinton Global Initiative. With offices in New York, Paris, Doha, Rabat and Beijing, the RAA mission is a "call to action" to all global leaders, by creating borderless communities, and facilitating business opportunities for growth recovery through the New York Forum Institute, a not-for-profit Foundation.
More than 1,500 people set to attend inaugural Doha GOALS Forum
H.H. The Emir of Qatar, Presidents Bongo and Sarkozy, Sepp Blatter and Lord Coe among leaders set to speak at three-day event
The Doha GOALS Forum – created as an initiative to drive the use of sport as a vehicle for social and economic change – will be inaugurated tomorrow (December 11) by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar. The forum opened with thinktanks and community-building sessions today.
READ MOREMore than 1,500 participants are expected at the event which runs from December 10-12, with 1,100 people coming from overseas from 60 countries including 400 students. Speakers at Doha GOALS include leaders in sport such as President of FIFA Sepp Blatter and Lord Coe, chairman of the organising committee of London 2012, as well as sporting champions such as multi-Olympic gold medalists Ian Thorpe and Carl Lewis.
The aim of the initiative is to build a community of hundreds of key influencers from all areas who believe that sport is a crucial vehicle for nation building and development. Most importantly, the forum is designed to deliver tangible action items, such as the launching of a Global Student Ambassador programme for youth leaders from all around the world, and a global NGO to help underprivileged children.
Sheikh Faisal bin Mubarak Al Thani, Executive Director of Doha GOALS, elaborated on the four key themes of the event: “How sports federations can achieve more and how to help them develop; how to encourage more women in sport; the challenge to engage children and youths and budget and funding issues.”
Richard Attias, Executive Chairman of Richard Attias and Associates and Executive Producer of Doha GOALS, said: “Doha GOALS is one of the very few platforms to give voice to the countries from the southern hemisphere, and help them network. It is also a call for action, not just a talking shop. On December 12, people will leave with ideas, advice and maybe solutions by sharing best practices.”
Multi-Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe said: “It is a tremendous pleasure to be here in Qatar at such an exceptional event. I am so excited to play a role and each of us has something to contribute. Sport has potential to create social change - it is a language we all speak.”
The group of 400 students comes from more than 40 academic institutions in 30 countries, including China, Turkey, India, Kenya, Brazil, USA, France, and the UK. They also include two Young Ambassadors from the UK’s Youth Sport Trust, selected to work in their schools to promote the values of the Olympic legacy.
The Doha GOALS initiative, from the Aspire Zone Foundation and Richard Attias & Associates, will bring together a community of policymakers and government officials, heads of business, athletes, NGOs and students to build a roadmap for addressing social challenges through sport.
The objectives of the Forum were dictated by a taskforce of more than 50 of the leading policymakers, innovators, sports scientists, physicians, federations heads, academics, athletes, corporate executives and competitors who gathered for a Pre-Forum event in January 2012. This group, which included top executives from FC Barcelona, IMG, Coca-Cola, as well as federation heads, and past and present athletes, debated economic development, the commercialisation of sports, the welfare of athletes, and sport as a vehicle for tourism growth.
For more information:
For media enquiries, contact Tom Rubashow, Pitch, tom.rubashow@pitch.co.uk, telephone +44 (0)207 494 1616.For all other enquiries, email dohagoals@richardattiasassociates.com.
www.dohagoals.com
EDITORS’ NOTES
About Aspire Zone Foundation
Having been established in 2003 as a Sports City project, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) today works to develop sports champions, promote healthy lifestyles, provide sports medicine services, and galvanise the sports economy of today and of the future. Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is a pioneering international sport project, thanks to its member organisation which embraces Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire logistics. All these corporate entities were unified by Emiri decree in 2008.
Located in Doha, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) boasts international-standard services and hosts global sports events; all of which contribute to the vibrant sports economy of Qatar. Aspire Zone is home to some of the world’s finest sport amenities and services offering an impressive integration of sport, sports medicine and research, and sport education. It is a perfect setting to combine sport and leisure.
Moreover, AZF was voted the World’s Leading Sports Tourism Development Project for the World Travel Awards 2011; an award that is deserved indeed. In 2011 alone, Aspire Zone was honoured with the successful hosting of high profile events, such as the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup 2011, some of the tournament games, and some competitions of the regionally-renowned Arab Games.
About Richard Attias & Associates
Richard Attias & Associates is a strategic communications firm that provides private consultancy and idea initiatives. Our mission is to help leaders, corporations and nations build their global influence, catalyze innovation and lead the global exchange of ideas. Using our strategic and operational expertise, we create interactive platforms, living laboratories of human capital, and historic cultural exchanges that help foster positive change for the global community.
Some of the work that RAA has created or produced in the last year includes: New York Forum® and New York Forum® AFRICA; APEC CEO Summit in Hawaii; The New York Times Schools for Tomorrow, Energy for Tomorrow and Opportunities for Tomorrow conferences; Global Food Security Forum in Morocco; Global Competitiveness Forum in Saudi Arabia; Qatar – US Business Forum in New York; Conference of Nobel Laureates; and African Securities Exchange Association Summit.
Richard Attias is a global influencer and was the exclusive producer of the World Economic Forum meetings, including the Davos Forum for 14 years and the co-founder of the Clinton Global Initiative. With offices in New York, Paris, Doha, Rabat and Beijing, the RAA mission is a "call to action" to all global leaders, by creating borderless communities, and facilitating business opportunities for growth recovery through the New York Forum Institute, a not-for-profit Foundation.
Doha GOALS announces the launch of its Student Ambassador Program
As part of the Forum, Doha GOALS will host the best 400 students from top high schools and universities around the world so they can participate in the debates and brainstorming taskforces at the conference, as well as interact with world leaders and some of their sporting role models.
READ MOREThe group of 400 students comes from more than 40 academic institutions in 30 countries, including China, Turkey, India, Kenya, Brazil, USA, France, and the UK. They also include two Young Ambassadors from the UK’s Youth Sport Trust, selected to work in their schools to promote the values of the Olympic legacy.
Each student was put forward by their principal or dean for consideration after displaying outstanding academic, athletic and leadership skills, and acting as role models to their class or community.
For more information:
For media enquiries, contact Tom Rubashow, Pitch, tom.rubashow@pitch.co.uk, telephone +44 (0)207 494 1616.For all other enquiries, email dohagoals@richardattiasassociates.com.
www.dohagoals.com
About Aspire Zone Foundation,http://www.aspirezone.qa/Corporate/AspireZoneFoundation.aspx
About Richard Attias & Associates, www.richardattiasassociates.com
Francois Pienaar joins star-studded line-up of speakers at Doha GOALS Forum
World Cup-winning rugby captain joins Olympic champions Carl Lewis and Mark Spitz and Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius as part of new initiative aimed at driving social and economic change through sport
(London, August 16 2012): South African Rugby World Cup-winning captain Francois Pienaar is the latest high-profile name to be added to the team of sporting greats who will be speaking at the Doha GOALS Forum on December 10-12.
READ MOREDoha GOALS – Gathering of All Leaders In Sport - is a new initiative designed as a “Call to Action” for the role that sport plays as a driver for social and economic change. It was created under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, and was launched during the Olympics.
The aim of the initiative is to build a community of hundreds of key influencers from all areas who believe that sport is a crucial vehicle for nation building and development. Most importantly, the forum is designed to deliver tangible action items, such as the launching of a Global Student Ambassador programme for youth leaders from all around the world, and a global NGO to help underprivileged children.
Pienaar, who was portrayed by Matt Damon in the 2009 film Invictus, joins a list of sporting heroes who will be speaking at the Forum including: athletics legend and multi-Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis; Oscar Pistorius, the first ever Paralympian to compete at an Olympic Games; and multiple Olympic gold medallist, swimmer Mark Spitz are all set to speak at the event.
Participants from more than 45 countries have already registered to be a part of the inaugural Forum.
“I have seen, first-hand, how sport can change mindsets – and even change a nation,” said Pienaar, who helped South Africa to World Cup victory in 1995. “When Nelson Mandela presented us with the World Cup while wearing a Springboks rugby jersey, it showed the world that South Africa could be united.
“More than that, it started the healing process of a nation split by racial divisions, and sport provided us with that platform for change.”
The announcement of the initiative, from the Aspire Zone Foundation and Richard Attias & Associates, was made earlier this month at Bayt Qatar, hosted by the Qatar National Olympic Committee, at the London Olympics.
Sheikh Faisal Al Thani, Executive Director of Doha GOALS, says: “There are few people that can speak as eloquently as Francois about sport’s potential to drive significant social and economic change, and we look forward to learning from him, both from his time as a Springbok, but also his insights into the role of sport in society today.
Richard Attias, the former producer of the World Economic Forum in Davos, will produce Doha GOALS. He said: “By giving our community the opportunity to hear the stories of an iconic sportsman and remarkable leader such as François, who helped build the pride of a nation, Doha GOALS is already a truly outstanding initiative.
“Doha GOALS is a call to action that will bring together a community of policymakers and government officials, heads of business, athletes, NGOs and students to build a roadmap for how we can harness this power to improve societies around the world.”
The Forum structure will include plenary sessions, debates, and focused taskforces to facilitate constructive brainstorming and focused collaboration using pioneering technology.
The objectives of the Forum were dictated by a taskforce of more than 50 of the leading policymakers, innovators, sports scientists, physicians, federations heads, academics, athletes, corporate executives and competitors who gathered for a Pre-Forum event in January 2012. This group, which included top executives from FC Barcelona, IMG, Coca-Cola, as well as federation heads, and past and present athletes, debated economic development, the commercialisation of sports, the welfare of athletes, and sport as a vehicle for tourism growth.
For more information:
For media enquiries, contact Tom Rubashow, Pitch, tom.rubashow@pitch.co.uk, telephone +44 (0)207 494 1616.For all other enquiries, email dohagoals@richardattiasassociates.com.
www.dohagoals.com
About Aspire Zone Foundation,http://www.aspirezone.qa/Corporate/AspireZoneFoundation.aspx
About Richard Attias & Associates, www.richardattiasassociates.com
Doha GOALS Forum launched in London
(London, August 1 2012): Government leaders, Olympic legends and some of the world’s biggest sports sponsors gathered in London last night for the launch of Doha GOALS, a new initiative designed to develop the use of sport as a driver for social and economic change.
President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon and Olympic and world champions - including Carl Lewis, Tegla Loroupe, Marie-José Pérec and Ian Thorpe - were among the guests at the event at Bayt Qatar, London, the official house of the Qatar Olympic Committee.
READ MORE
Version françaiseDoha GOALS – Gathering of All Leaders In Sport - was created under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar. The initiative, from the Aspire Zone Foundation and Richard Attias & Associates, will build a community of hundreds of key influencers from all spheres of life who believe sport is a crucial vehicle for social and economic development.
Speaking at the event, Lewis said: “Sport creates opportunities for communities: athletes from small countries and impoverished areas can compete on the global stage and shine a spotlight on their communities. This in turn creates economic opportunities at home, opens the outside world to seeing and understanding new cultures, and empowers athletes to use the public platform for good."
Agreeing was Pérec, who pointed to Lewis as a source of personal inspiration. She said: “When I was 20, and saw Carl win gold in the 1988 Olympics, I looked at the way he conducted himself as a champion. I said to myself, ‘I want to become a champion like that, four years from now.” Pérec won Olympic gold in the 400 metres in 1992.
Richard Attias, the former producer of the World Economic Forum in Davos, will produce Doha GOALS. He said: “Sport has the power to bring about great social integration, as well as bring communities together in a spirit of trust and friendship.
“Doha GOALS is a call to action that will bring together a community of policymakers and government officials, heads of business, influential athletes, NGOs and students to build a roadmap for how we can harness this power to improve societies around the world.”
The inaugural, annual Doha GOALS Forum, December 10 – 12, 2012, was announced at a press conference earlier in the day, with His Excellency Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, General Secretary of the Qatar Olympic Committee, Sheikh Faisal Al Thani, Executive Director of Doha GOALS, Lewis and Attias all speaking at the press conference.
Lewis is among the speakers at the December Forum later this year: he will be joined by Oscar Pistorius, who will become the first-ever Paralympian to compete at an Olympic Games, and multiple Olympic gold medallist, swimmer Mark Spitz.
The Forum structure will include plenary sessions, debates, and focused taskforces to facilitate constructive brainstorming and focused collaboration using pioneering technology.
The objectives of the Forum were dictated by a taskforce of more than 50 of the leading policymakers, innovators, sports scientists, physicians, federations heads, academics, athletes, corporate executives and competitors who gathered for a Pre-Forum event in January 2012. This group, which included top executives from FC Barcelona, IMG, Coca-Cola, as well as federation heads, and past and present athletes, debated economic development, the commercialisation of sports, the welfare of athletes, and sport as a vehicle for tourism growth.
For media enquiries, contact:
For media enquiries, contact Tom Rubashow, Pitch, tom.rubashow@pitch.co.uk, telephone +44 (0)207 494 1616.
For all other enquiries, email dohagoals@richardattiasassociates.com.
www.dohagoals.com
EDITORS’ NOTES
About Aspire Zone Foundation
Having been established in 2003 as a Sports City project, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) today works to develop sports champions, promote healthy lifestyles, provide sports medicine services, and galvanise the sports economy of today and of the future. Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) is a pioneering international sport project, thanks to its member organisation which embraces Aspire Academy, Aspetar and Aspire logistics. All these corporate entities were unified by Emiri decree in 2008.
Located in Doha, Aspire Zone Foundation (AZF) boasts international-standard services and hosts global sports events; all of which contribute to the vibrant sports economy of Qatar. Aspire Zone is home to some of the world’s finest sport amenities and services offering an impressive integration of sport, sports medicine and research, and sport education. It is a perfect setting to combine sport and leisure.
Moreover, AZF was voted the World’s Leading Sports Tourism Development Project for the World Travel Awards 2011; an award that is deserved indeed. In 2011 alone, Aspire Zone was honoured with the successful hosting of high profile events, such as the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup 2011, some of the tournament games, and some competitions of the regionally-renowned Arab Games.
About Richard Attias & Associates
Richard Attias & Associates is a strategic communications firm that provides private consultancy and idea initiatives. Our mission is to help leaders, corporations and nations build their global influence, catalyze innovation and lead the global exchange of ideas. Using our strategic and operational expertise, we create interactive platforms, living laboratories of human capital, and historic cultural exchanges that help foster positive change for the global community.
Some of the work that RAA has created or produced in the last year includes: New York Forum® and New York Forum® AFRICA; APEC CEO Summit in Hawaii; The New York Times Schools for Tomorrow, Energy for Tomorrow and Opportunities for Tomorrow conferences; Global Food Security Forum in Morocco; Global Competitiveness Forum in Saudi Arabia; Qatar – US Business Forum in New York; Conference of Nobel Laureates; and African Securities Exchange Association Summit.
Richard Attias is a global influencer and was the exclusive producer of the World Economic Forum meetings, including the Davos Forum for 14 years and the co-founder of the Clinton Global Initiative. With offices in New York, Paris, Doha, Rabat and Beijing, the RAA mission is a "call to action" to all global leaders, by creating borderless communities, and facilitating business opportunities for growth recovery through the New York Forum Institute, a not-for-profit Foundation.
richardattiasassociates.com
PRESS RELEASE INDUSTRY LEADERS TO EXPLORE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORT AT DECEMBER FORUM
Qatar - 8 January 2012: Fifty top local and international sports industry leaders met in a high-profile closed session today to set the agenda for a premier international forum that will focus on Sport as a crucial vehicle for social and economic development to take place in Doha during December 2012.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Doha GOALS (Gathering of All Leaders in Sport) Forum will bring together leading policymakers, innovators, sports scientists, physicians, federation heads, academics, athletes, corporate executives and competitors from around the world to discuss the most pressing issues facing their industry and to find opportunities for growth through Sport.
READ MOREThe Doha GOALS Forum was announced at the pre-forum session today hosted by the Aspire Zone Foundation at the Torch Hotel. H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Secretary General of Qatar Olympic Committee, and Hassan Al-Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Qatar 2022, led the session alongside Hilal Jeham Al Kuwari, President of Aspire Zone Foundation.
Other international sport leaders also attended the event, where they set the objectives for the Doha GOALS Forum. Themes at the forum in December will include economic development, the commercialization of sports, the welfare of athletes, sport as a vehicle for tourism, and sport as a tool for integration of women and minorities and as a conduit for social good.
On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, H.E. Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani delivered an address which included:
"Doha GOALS is a sports-based initiative that we hope will bring the world closer together through this initiative specifically, and through sports in general, we plan to advance both individual and group development for people all over the world."
"Today, sports have become the instrument, a mandatory development tool for most countries and corporations that promotes unity and understanding. The universal values that sports can teach us, and that by acting together we can gain more than by acting alone, are lessons that will help us rise to our potential as human beings and global citizens.
"The Doha GOALS will be a pioneering program to promote social change and address social deprivation. It will empower people and develop our youths. We will work hand in hand with NGOs and governments, with corporations and foundations, with mayors and cities all over the world to promote human development and urban renewal.
Hassan Al-Thawadi reinforced Qatar's commitment to development through sport, citing the country's successful bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and its "cascading effects" on other industries including hospitality, technology and construction. "I believe we can look forward to a time where the Middle East is seen globally as a hub for sporting know-how, whether in terms of hosting events or as a research and development hotspot."
"We as policymakers, leaders, and academics must ensure that sport takes its place as an important part of our social fabric - whether in Qatar, the Middle East or beyond. The values of sportsmanship and the ethics of sport are transferable to any part of life, and the Doha Goals Forum is a project that I am extremely proud to be part of," added Al-Thawadi.
"We all know the critical role that sport plays in social and human advancement," commented Hilal Jeham Al Kuwari, "Aspire Zone Foundation is ready and committed to guide the Doha GOALS initiative and we look forward to implementing life-changing initiatives with you."
The Doha GOALS forum and pre-forum have been co-founded by Richard Attias & Associates and are hosted by the Aspire Zone Foundation.