Unlike other Forums, the Assembly was littered with examples of camaraderie and good humour.

The best of these came in the final moments before the elections when you would have expected tension to be paramount. Instead, for reasons unclear, many members sought unorthodox ways of confirming their presence in the pre-electoral roll call. Perhaps predictably, it was the Mexican delegate who led the way by breaking into full operatic voice when singing his name. He does that all the time, I was informed afterwards.

In comparison with the unsavoury mudslinging that marked September's International Cycling Federation (UCI) contest, electoral conduct was another impressive area. Led most of all by Presidential challenger Alan Dickson, those who lost were magnanimous in defeat while - and Australian cricketers could learn something here - winners were gallant in victory.

Alan Dickson was resolutely beaten but was quick to congratulate Sir Philip Craven ©George Santamouris



But this does not mean that the Paralympics is flawless and many challenges lie ahead for the IPC, and the Movement, as each continues to grow.

Indeed, the theme that permeated most was the need for evolutionary change so as to best take advantage of post-London momentum. This particularly involves ironing out creases in the structure of the IPC as well as encouraging greater dialogue between members and leaders.

The question of how best to bring this about appeared the primary point of divergence between the two Presidential candidates, although it is interesting that both have implied, albeit without elaborating particularly, that there were divisions within the old Board.

For Dickson a Governance Review is required to "find out as soon as possible whether we are currently fit for purpose." Sir Philip, on the other hand, asserted that "we have achieved so much because the structure is pretty good already".

"It may need tweaking, but I believe we are an open and transparent organisation and, if we were not, we wouldn't have made the progress we have made," he told insidethegames following his victory, before adding that "you mustn't have a bad structure, but what is at the heart of Movement is the people."

His answer therefore, and the key offer for his final four year term, is an event to be held next year where members will have the opportunity to converse in a less formal and regulated setting than the General Assembly.

"I put my candidacy forward in 2001 following a 'Strategic Planning Conference' in Kuala Lumpa," he said. "I came home and said I want to put my hat in the ring, because change has to happen. That was 12 years on from the IPC being founded and here we are now, as if by magic, 12 years further on, now is the time to have a further look where we're at to decide what is and isn't important."

Brazil's new vice-president Andrew Parsons echoed these sentiments when he spoke about "more opportunities for members", "encouraging more participation in the decision making process," and "recognising issues and concerns."

With the IPC ever-growing in membership - NPC's from Antigua and Barbuda, North Korea, US Virgin Islands, Seychelles, Sao Tome and Principle and Chile were added during the Assembly - it is imperative that small as well as large members are given a voice.

There have been suggestions that, with an all British Presidential contest following a London Games the Movement is becoming overly "British-centric". This was denied by just about everyone I spoke to.

Although the British Paralympic Association (BPA) see themselves as a "proactive force", this extends only to hosting a drinks reception and offering words of advice, they insisted. The comparative strengths of others - Australia, Japan, China, Netherlands and, with Parsons and Rio 2016 in mind, Brazil - was also highlighted.

Continuing Paralympic development, such as here in Rwanda, is a key aim ©Getty Images



But a gap between this group and others is a danger and this stretches to a sporting as well as an organisational field. Although statistics reflected soaring participation rates in London, many of these new countries produced just a single participant and performing to a high level as well as simply being there, is also important.

Since it was introduced in 2012 the Agitos Foundation, the IPC's Development Arm, has made a big difference. Yet many countries are still to benefit and there is clearly a long way to go.

The election of three Asian members in the first round of the Governing Board Elections, led by Mohamed Alhameli of the United Arab Emirates, is a big step forward in these areas and is as good an indicator as any of this globalisation that is taking place.

There are other areas for improvement. One is attracting more commercial opportunities and this is something another first round winner in Japan's Yasushi Yamawaki hopes to resolve when drawing on his "40 years of business experience." Others involve continuing advances in television coverage and drawing greater media attention to events beyond simply the Paralympic Games

It bears mentioning that the IPC occupies a unique and ambiguous position due to its secondary role as a sporting Governing Body. Although some Paralympic sports come under the control of others - International Triathlon Union President Marisol Casado and International Rowing Federation chief-elect Jean-Christophe Rolland were both present in Athens - other sports, including athletics and swimming, are administered by the IPC.

Debates therein, such as the age old one over athletics classifications, comes under the IPC remit and it was in these areas where opinions were most fiercely voiced in Athens.

F32 discus thrower Aled Davies is one who may miss the chance to defend his Paralympic title due to the classifications row ©Getty Images



The abiding point however is that, with so many issues on the table, the members did not think the time was right for a change in leadership.

Although he strongly denies seeing himself this way, Sir Philip is a figurehead for the Movement and he is someone whose reach stretches beyond the Movement into the wider sporting and non-sporting world. With his charisma and charm it is easy to see why. Alan Dickson came across as a smooth operator with good ideas, but perhaps lacked that affability that is so vital in the politics of today.

To borrow another Scottish and English analogy, Dickson seemed the Gordon Brown to Sir Philip's Tony Blair.

But - and some would say unlike Blair - Sir Philip has enjoyed huge progress during his time in office. The trick now is to adapt and build on that progress in the ever evolving post-London 2012 context of opportunity.

So, to return to the Iranian nuclear breakthrough, it is clear there that the agreement is just the start of a conciliatory progress which has many more barriers to cross. Yet in comparison to the divergence of the Bush and Ahmadinejad years, it seems remarkable that such progress has been made.

The Paralympic Movement is rather similar. Sir Philip admitted to having four particular areas for focus, and improvements are certainly necessary in the realms of global development, commerce and opportunity as well as internal structure. 

Yet as the President sits down with his new Board for the first time today, they should most of all be thankful that they have such strong foundations to build on. 

Nick Butler is a reporter for insidethegames. To follow him on Twitter click here