A/HRC/40/72 IV. Conclusions and recommendations 66. The following conclusions and recommendations emerged from the 2018 Social Forum. A. Conclusions 67. The Social Forum highlighted interlinkages between human rights, and sports and mega sporting events, stressing convergences between the Olympic Charter, ideal and values, and human rights principles enshrined in human rights instruments. Sport touched upon many human rights aspects and served as a catalyst for the promotion of human rights. The importance of pro-sport, pro-human rights policies and practices at all levels was emphasized. 68. Mega sporting events were among the most watched events in the world and an outstanding platform with the potential of being an accelerator of the promotion of human rights. The attention drawn by professional, Olympic and Paralympic athletes allowed them to become role models and sources of inspiration for billions of people. Upcoming sports and new technologies also provided opportunities to mainstream human rights and reach new audiences and constituencies. 69. Sports and sporting events could either promote or could negatively impact on the rights of athletes and other persons who practised sports, fans and fan clubs, local populations, and workers in jobs related to sports, sport equipment and facilities. Some particular groups of concern included persons with disabilities, women, children and youth, elders, indigenous peoples, national or religious minorities, refugees, internally displaced persons, migrants, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, and persons living in poverty. Challenges remained on means of protecting human rights and remedying violations. 70. Professional players’ unions had adopted the Universal Declaration of Player Rights and the Olympic Movement was to adopt the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration. Other workers in the area of sports had also achieved recognition of rights, including construction workers in the context of mega sporting events. 71. Hosting a mega sports event was an opportunity to promote more sustainable cities in which citizens could have healthier lives thanks to more and better sports facilities, transport integration and housing and planning. However, such events often affected the right to development and other human rights, due to corruption, increased public debt, forced or induced displacements, loss of jobs and livelihoods, and possible negative effects of gentrification. Lack of development also affected the opportunities of billions to access sports. 72. Participants shared examples of human rights policies and other instruments adopted by sports governing bodies, governments and international organizations. However, the complex challenges and opportunities involved in the relationship between sports and human rights could not be solved unilaterally. In this regard, the creation of the Centre for Sport and Human Rights provided important opportunities for effective collective actions. 73. The values and skills transmitted through sports created unique opportunities for the promotion of peace, reconciliation, understanding and solidarity. Sports was also a means for the empowerment and development of groups often left behind and for challenging stereotypes and taboos. Sports and human rights underpinned the national and international drive towards realization of the 2030 Agenda. 74. Various mapping and research exercises had been undertaken on the relationship between sports and human rights. These could provide benchmarks for further action. 18