The IWAS family were pleased hear the news of our friend and previous board member Dr. Ian Brittain being appointed to support the work of the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games, by Coventry University where he is currently working within their Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.

Ian who has attended and contributed greatly to many Paralympic events is renowned as one of the UK’s leading experts on sociological, historical and development aspects of Paralympic and disability sport and a Life Member of the International Society of Olympic Historians.

With a background in sport and sport management, Ian has published extensively on the Paralympics and his most recent work, entitled The Paralympic Games Explained, has been hailed as one of the leading reference books on the world of disability sport by Olympic Review, the official publication of the IOC.

Dr Brittain will use his extensive research skills and Paralympic knowledge to support a ground-breaking project which focuses on the spirit of the modern Olympics to coincide with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
 
The Olympic Games are built on three pillars: elite sports, ethics and peace. Coventry University’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation studies, in Partnership with the City of Coventry, the Cathedral, the Herbert and the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership for the 2012 Games will be working together to promote these three ideals.
 
Prof Alan Hunter, studies director at the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation at Coventry University, stressed the close connection between the Olympics, the Paralympics and conflict resolution:
 
He said: “There are examples across the world of conflict victims coming together through sport to overcome disability and hostility between communities.
 
“The centre wants to highlight the coming together of these elite sportsmen and women to show how competitive sport can help people rise above the barriers that are created by disability or conflict.
 
“Peace, reconciliation and international friendship should be building blocks of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.  Especially since a core element in the foundation and development of the Paralympics was the rehabilitation of conflict victims.  These factors are often overlooked and we believe they should be more prominent."
 
Building on its work in China, the Middle East and Africa, the centre, and its partners, plan a number of high-profile events which will underline the Olympics and Paralympics as a driving force for ‘peace and reconciliation’.
 
These events will promote the concepts of peace and international friendship; human development and dignity; and support for populations suffering from armed conflicts.
 
Dr Brittain, said “I’m looking forward to the challenge offered by this exciting new post in a relatively unique and under-researched area that combines my passion for sport with the opportunity to potentially change people’s lives for the better”
 
"The Paralympics, as well as the Olympic Games show us how people can come together through their love of sport and overcome barriers which lead to hostility and conflict.
 
“The lessons that can be learned from both Games will help in the work being undertaken to resolve conflict in different parts of the world and we hope to reflect this in the events and conferences we are planning.