CCSE Deputy Director debates the social value of sporting and cultural events

On August 5th, as part of the famous Edinbrugh Festivals, CCSE Deputy Director, Professor David McGillivray, was invited to participate in the inaugural Centre for Events and Festivals (CEF) debate. Debate panellists were asked to consider, “Do large scale cultural festivals deliver more social value than major sporting events?” with David and his partner, Iain Edmondson, on the opposition side, arguing for the value of sporting events, against Professor Jane Ali-Knight and Lyndsey Jackson, from the Edinburgh Fringe making the case for cultural festivals.

In the debate, David put forward the argument that the scale and scope of sport events makes them more effective at generating social value than cultural festivals. He highlighted that sport events generate significant Social Return on Investment (SROI), through volunteering, better health and wellbeing, strengthened civic pride and equality, diversity and inclusion advancements. He also emphasised that sport events have social value that goes beyond statistics and hard data, arguing that sport is a powerful unifying cultural form that carries meaning for millions of people. He suggested that attending or watching live sport events is good for the human spirit, a fundamental part of the fabric of our society, facilitating human connections and exchanges, creating positive shared collective emotions and experiences alongside enduring memories that become part of our personal biographies and collective histories. He concluded by suggesting that sport events have unique leveraging potential, accelerating the production of social value as their fixed deadlines focus the minds of policy makers. Sport events have convening power to bring together influential actors to pool resources that can ‘make things happen’. As a result, sport events represent an agent of social change for the places that host them.

Panellists also responded to audience questions on topics including from accessibility, participation, governance, legacy and response to global crises. Robust debate ensued, ably facilitated by CEF founder Professor Mike Duignan and his fellow moderator, Dr Matt McDowell. You can watch the entire debate back on the CES Youtube page, below.