Sustainability in sport: Bavarian experts bring knowledge to Bhutan!

Sustainability in sport: Bavarian experts bring knowledge to Bhutan!

As part of an international educational project, the University of the Bundeswehr Munich (UniBw M) recently held two seminars on sustainable communication in sport in Bhutan. This was at the invitation of the Bhutan Olympic Committee and the Royal Thimphu College, which underlines UniBw M's continued collaboration with international educational institutions. Carolin Bergmann and Prof. Günther Suchy conducted the seminars under the title “Green Play: The Importance of Sustainability in Sport – From Global Policies to Local Action”.

The seminars took place in April 2023 and were aimed at decision-makers from Bhutanese sports associations as well as RTC students. The focus of the first seminar was on leaders from various sports associations, including football, judo, chess and athletics. In the second seminar, the participants were students from the fields of media, communication, journalism and sport.

Sustainability in sport

A central concern of the seminars was the establishment of credible and effective sustainability communication in sport. The participants dealt intensively with the question of how greenwashing in sport can be avoided. They developed options for action and communication strategies that are based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Agenda 2020+5 of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Paris Climate Agreement.

Particular attention was paid to the concept of gross national happiness, which has received international attention and integrates social, ecological and cultural aspects. Prof. Suchy and Carolin Bergmann integrated practical elements such as storytelling, interview techniques and journalistic research into the seminars in order to impart practical skills to the students.

Integration of sustainability in sports clubs

Based on the findings of the seminars, specific options for action were developed for the Bhutanese sports associations. Under the heading “Building a Sustainability Culture in Sport” it was discussed how sustainability communication can be successfully integrated into sports clubs and organizations. The aim is to promote a sustainable culture in sport that goes beyond current trends and strives for long-term changes.

Carolin Bergmann, who brought her experience as a television journalist and filmmaker to Bayerischer Rundfunk, emphasized the need to consider sustainability in sport as a necessity for the future, both locally and globally. The presence of UniBw M in Bhutan shows how scientific expertise and international collaborations can contribute to shaping a sustainable future.

Given the global challenges in the areas of sustainability and climate change, it remains to be seen how the communication strategies developed will be implemented in practice. The seminars could therefore serve not only for Bhutan, but as a model for other nations in dealing with sustainability in sport. Further information about the seminars can be found on the Bundeswehr University Munich website: UniBw M, DHBW Ravensburg and provides additional insights too Goals need actions.