Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS)
CABOS is an independent advisory body providing support and advice to the Commonwealth Secretariat and member governments on sport policy, particularly Sport for Development and Peace (SDP).
CABOS was established at the 2003 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and endorsed by Commonwealth sport ministers in 2004.
The body’s volunteer members are appointed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General on the recommendations of member governments, sport and development communities and existing members. Members are drawn from every region of the Commonwealth and include representatives from the sport community, development sector, academia, government, and youth.
The role and contribution of sport in development and peace efforts has now been well accepted and has been articulated by Commonwealth Heads of Government and sport ministers. The Commonwealth Secretariat plays a coordinating role in supporting member states to strengthen SDP initiatives.
CABOS has identified, analysed and disseminated research, capacity-building resources and examples of 'best practice' on SDP. It has helped co-ordinate efforts within the Commonwealth and at other international bodies such as the International Working Group on Sport for Development and Peace on the development of effective SDP policy and strategy.
CABOS has also been an adviser for the Commonwealth Secretariat on other sport policy issues, including policies on girls and women, anti-doping, match-fixing and the integrity of sport.
CABOS mandate:
i. Reflecting the core values and principles of the Commonwealth, CABOS will identify and provide advice on policy frameworks and strategies which help Commonwealth governments maximize sport’s contribution in delivering wider policy objectives. It will analyse and advise on linkages in areas related to sport, such as, but not limited to, youth, health, education and gender.
ii. CABOS will identify good practice, analyse key research and offer critical analysis on sport as a tool for economic and social development to Commonwealth governments, other key policy-makers and relevant bodies through sport ministers and the Commonwealth Secretariat. This will be achieved through the production of Chairs’ statements, position papers and information dissemination.
iii. CABOS will identify opportunities and advise the Commonwealth Secretariat on the contribution sport based policy and initiatives can make to the Secretariat’s strategic plan.
iv. CABOS will provide input and advice on the agenda and subsequent actions of Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meetings.
v. CABOS is not mandated to deliver programmes or run projects, but will advocate in the above-mentioned areas and propose initiatives and issues to Commonwealth sport ministers and the Commonwealth Secretariat for consideration.
vi. Commonwealth Heads of Government, sport ministers and other relevant ministerial forums, through their meetings, may identify issues for consideration by CABOS and could mandate CABOS to carry out specific activities. In this instance, ministers would be required to provide CABOS with the necessary resources to deliver those activities.