Beyond Stigma Workshop - ideas, learning and sharing

The Beyond Stigma knowledge sharing workshop created a conversation that moved beyond awareness or attitude to focus on how stigma is produced through systems, and what that means for efforts to address it.

Capturing reflections, experiences and learnings from the AT2030 Para Sport Against Stigma programme, the event provided an opportunity to step back and reflect. The project has grown and shifted over time, and this was a moment to engage people working around its edges as well as those closely involved - bring learning shaped in the Global South into the room and see how it landed with people working in the UK and wider Global North.

By testing assumptions, challenge familiar frames, and build relationships across this emerging ecosystem, the workshop was an important moment towards the conclusion of the Para Sport Against Stigma programme. 

Speakers and contributors 

The workshop included a keynote from James Chiutsi (Malawi Paralympic Committee and AUSC Region 5 SPWD Committee Chair) followed by a panel discussion with contributions from: 

• Memory Baluwa (Secretary General, Malawi Paralympic Committee)
• Sheila Cleo Mogalo (Sport for Development Consultant)
• Jessie Akambadi (University of Malawi/PhD candidate Loughborough University London)
• James Chiutsi (SPWD Chair, AUSC Region 5) 

Themes explored included inclusive sport ecosystems, representation & storytelling, assistive technology & innovation, and opportunities for collaboration.

Parallel workshop sessions then explored in more detail:

• Storytelling & Inclusion, with a metaphor-based workshop exploring how narratives shape perceptions of disability and sport.
• Innovation & Design, with a hands-on prototyping session imagining practical improvements to sport assistive technology ecosystems.

A visual illustration of the workshop

During the workshop, keynote and panel discussion an illustrator capture the discussions, themes and contributions - both formal and informal. The illustration can be seen in full as a PDF and is a visual representation of the idaes shared. 

A blog on the discussions 

Alongside the illusation, a reflection piece speaks to the rich dialogue that took place during the workshops, talks and networking. Read in full to find out more about the idas shared during this event.