IPC launch 2016 Academy Campus to transfer knowledge to 1,200 delegates during Rio Paralympic Games

The 2016 IPC Academy Campus is due to be held during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games ©AFP/Getty Images

The International Paralympic Committee have launched the IPC Academy Campus 2016, which they hope will help to transfer knowledge and expertise to 1,200 key stakeholders during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

First held during Beijing 2008, the Campus began as an observer programme for 300 people before becoming an industry focused learning environment with over 600 delegates during London 2012.

In London the Campus consisted of an observer programme, a games experience programme and an inclusion summit, and they are now hoping to build on this success at Rio 2016, with the number of participants doubling in size again.

As part of the Rio 2016 Campus, held during the Games, a series of education programmes will be delivered aiming to improve the capabilities and capacity of future event organisers, Governments and others involved throughout both the events industry and the Paralympic Movement.

The Campus will be delivered by new IPC Academy deputy director Apostolos Rigas, who previously headed the Knowledge Management division of the IPC, which they have announced will now be operated by the IPC Academy, their education division.

Under Rigas’ leadership the Knowledge Management division, which began in 2005, helped draft Paralympic specific requirements within Games manuals, established the IPC observer programme and worked with the IPC Academy on learning programmes.

600 delegates took part in the Campus during London 2012 and the number is expected to double for Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

"In the first few years of Knowledge Management there was a strong focus on capturing information and ensuring that Games manuals incorporated the unique needs of the Paralympic Games which is an activity that is maintained to this day.

"However, having partnered with the World Academy of Sport in 2008, Knowledge Management now provides a strong focus on creating learning environments through the IPC Academy."

The consolidation will also see the continuation of the IPC Excellence Programme, which was launched in 2010 with the Sochi 2014 Organising Committee and has continued with both Rio 2016 and Pyeongchang 2018.

The programme aims to transfer strategies, knowledge and learning from previous Paralympic Games to aid future editions, including workshops, Games-time campus programmes, readiness and simulation training, volunteer training and the official Games debrief.

"This consolidation of Knowledge Management with education through the Academy is a logical progression as we combine the important areas of information and learning in order to develop skills in the local organising committees and stakeholders we work with,” said the programme's director, Chris Solly.

“This is a real measurable human legacy of the Paralympic Games."