Just ahead of the London Paralympic Games, the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies at Coventry University and the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation are hosting an international  interdisciplinary conference for academics and practitioners entitled: “Disability Sport: A vehicle for social change?”

The main themes of the conference will be the use of sport as a tool for peace, development and social inclusion. Further discussions will focus on the recreational and psychological value of sport for people with disabilities.

With view to the upcoming Paralympics, possible areas for presentations include the economic and social impact of the Games as well as historical issues.

The disqualification of South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing raised a debate on “where does man become machine”. Even though the decision was later reversed, the controversial debate remains and is likely to resurface at the event.

Further details can be found in the coming months on the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies’ website or Email: ian.brittain@coventry.ac.uk