FIDE has partnered with Safe Sport International to begin the process of developing a safeguarding framework within FIDE.
Initial efforts will involve the development of a comprehensive safeguarding policy that will address how FIDE and its members manage different aspects of safeguarding within a global organization, including issues of sexual harassment and child protection. and other people at risk. The policy will also take into account international standards and guidelines which will constitute the most appropriate references to be applied by FIDE.
This first stage will also involve discussions between SSI consultants and key FIDE officials and other stakeholders initially to define the policy and associated procedures that will form part of the safeguarding framework.
FIDE, as reflected in its charter, embraces diversity and inclusion. One of the priority areas of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich’s administration during his first term was to increase the number of women in all aspects of the chess ecosystem. This renewed focus will require the creation of “safe spaces” and associated operational infrastructure for women to thrive.
In addition, FIDE continues to engage in numerous social action projects. for example failures for protection and failures for freedom, as well as failures in education. This involves broader and more complex demographics, which introduces additional responsibilities when dealing with at-risk or vulnerable people.
In this context, FIDE turned to Safe Sport International as a partner with relevant expertise on this very sensitive subject.
Vice President of the FIDE Board of Directors, Dana Reizniece-Ozola, highlighted that this is a very important milestone achieved by FIDE: “As the world chess body, FIDE understands its role in setting an example of protection within our chess community. We are pleased to We are working with Safe Sport International, who have extensive experience in this area and we look forward to having a practical framework and effective in guiding our internal operations as well as those of our nearly 200 member federations.
Neal Anderson, Operations Director of Safe Sport International, also expressed his satisfaction with this commitment: “We are delighted to partner with the International Chess Federation in our shared commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals in the chess community. At Safe Sport International, we believe in the power of collaboration and, through our consultancy services, we provide our expertise to help FIDE develop its protection policy. We look forward to a successful partnership that will ensure a safer and more inclusive future for the game of chess. world.”
About Safe Sport International
Everyone, everywhere, safe in sport
Safe Sport International (SSI) is the leading non-profit organization committed to ending all forms of interpersonal violence, abuse and harassment in sporting environments worldwide. SSI places research and athlete voice at the heart of its work with government and non-government agencies, international and national sports organizations, competitive sport delivery organizations, athletes and other sport participants.
SSI consultants have been involved in every major development in safe sport over the past 15 years. Specifically, they have worked with the United Nations, the International Olympic Committee, the Council of Europe, UNICEF, FIFA, the Commonwealth Games Federation, the English Football Association, the International Netball Federation, Philippines Rugby, the ATP Men’s Tennis Tour, World Rugby and many more. organizations.
