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Issue 2015/04: WDSF Code of Ethics

::: ISSUE 2015/04 ::: 29 JUNE 2015 :::

WDSF Code of Ethics

WDSF Code of Ethics The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) endeavours to align the governance of DanceSport fully with the Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance of the Olympic and Sports Movement. Another step in that direction was taken when the delegates to the 2015 General Meeting (AGM) in Granada, ESP, adopted the WDSF Code of Ethics (CoE) and ratified the provisions for its implementation. Recommendation 32 of the Olympic Agenda 2020 calls for ethics to be strengthened in the movement’s drive for good governance, improved transparency and accountability.

WDSF had initiated work on the CoE in 2013 as part of its 2020 VISION, the federation’s own development plan. Daniel Stehlin, the chairman of the WDSF Disciplinary Council, was tasked with the drafting of the text as well as the development of structures and mechanisms for the implementation. He submitted the first version of the code and related proposals to the WDSF Presidium in January 2015 for approval and for presentation as motion to the AGM.

Numerous specialists who reviewed Mr Stehlin’s document were full of praise for what they described as one of the most complete codes in sports. That five distinguished personalities were prepared to sit on the WDSF Ethics Committee (EC), the body assigned with investigating violations of the CoE, makes also a highly positive statement about the latter’s quality. The five EC members are: 

  • José Perurena, chair: IOC member and President of the International Canoe Federation and of the International World Games Association
  • Ching-Kuo Wu, member: IOC member and President of the International Boxing Association
  • Margareta Echevarria, member: attorney and notary, Arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport
  • Viktorija Tomic, member: MD, PhD, head of research in respiratory microbiology, former athlete, now adjudicator and trainer in DanceSport
  • Honourable Sandra Nori, member: former New South Wales Minister with portfolios Sport & Recreation, Tourism, Women among others

By adopting the CoE and by installing the committee, WDSF seeks to safeguard the integrity and authenticity of DanceSport. And it expresses its determination to fight against anything that could be deemed corrupt, immoral or unethical, and that could put the sport’s reputation in jeopardy. 

“We have started a process that will now need to filter down to the different stakeholders in DanceSport,” WDSF First Vice-President Lukas Hinder, who leads the 2020 VISION process, explains. “The National Member Bodies as well as the Associate Members are challenged to either adopt our code or develop one of their own based on ours. Ultimately, all persons involved in DanceSport at all levels will have to respect and comply with the CoE at all times,” he adds.