UEL in challenge to increase global physical activity

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Published

30 July 2021

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A team of students from the University of East London (UEL) is taking part in the Global Design Challenge for Sport and Physical Activity with the chance to win 10, 000 Euros to develop their concept. This is an exciting opportunity for UEL students to design innovative methods of increasing participation in sport and physical activity in an inclusive, sustainable, and fun way.

As a careers-led university, UEL is dedicated to providing our students with opportunities to enhance their skill set. Our aim is to set UEL graduates ahead in the jobs market. We do this by supporting the development of a range of core competencies embedded into every course, alongside with a comprehensive co-curricular programme.

The University's Vision 2028 strategy to become the UK's leading careers-intensive university includes the concept of Health Gain. We believe that health, physical activity and sport for all can play a central role in learning and personal development - studies show that being physically active has a positive impact on students' studies and overall wellbeing.

"I am pleased to provide our students with this opportunity, and I look forward to working with the students who take part. I am confident they will produce outstanding ideas and demonstrate the talent which comes from our University of East London community,"

Dr Ian Pickup, pro vice-chancellor (education and experience), said.

About the Global Design Challenge
The Global Design Challenge 2021 is a worldwide search for ambitious, innovative ideas to get people physically active. University College Cork, Ireland, together with Sport Ireland, are launching this search, under the patronage of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and there  are development grants of up to 10,000 Euros for the best concepts. On 7 June, the Global Design Challenge for Sport and Physical Activity opened for registration, as part of a bid to engage more people in sport and physical activity, following a year of lockdown and restrictions that have seen participation levels plummet.

There are eight specific sub-challenges for the team to consider and find innovative ways to:

  • increase opportunities for engagement in physical activity ensuring that it is accessible to everyone of any ability, age, race or socio-economic background - INCLUSION
  • inspire community-level engagement in physical activity for all ages - COMMUNITY
  • bring participants, volunteers and fans back to sport and physical activity - FANS AND VOLUNTEERS
  • use sport as a means to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals in a practical way - POLICY-BASED
  • reimagine sport and physical activity (e.g., space and place, funding models) to make it more sustainable and resilient to shocks and change - SUSTAINABILITY
  • motivate children and youth to engage in sport and physical activity, that leads to life-long interest - YOUTH-BASED
  • harness technology to radically change the way sport and physical activity are imagined - TECHNOLOGY-BASED
  • integrate sport and physical activity into leisure and lifestyle activities (e.g., cycling for transport, gardening for food security) - LIFESTYLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

The competition goes live on Monday 21 June, and we will share progress and details during the event. Watch this space and get ready to move.

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