First Regional Anti-Doping Education Symposium in Singapore

26 July 2023 (Singapore) – Singapore will be hosting the Asia-Oceania Anti-Doping Education Symposium (AOADES) – the first regional conference dedicated to anti- doping education, since the introduction of the International Standard of Education under the World Anti-Doping Code in 2021. From 26 to 28 July 2023, over 100 anti- doping practitioners and sports officials from about 40 anti-doping organisations and international sports federations across Asia and the Oceania region will discuss and exchange information and knowledge, as well as explore collaborative opportunities to grow a stronger clean sport culture..

2. Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, Guest-of-Honour for AOADES’s opening ceremony, said: “The Singapore Government works closely with the sport fraternity to encourage clean sport and support the anti-doping movement. Our two-pronged approach achieves this through (i) education and prevention, and (ii) detection and deterrence. AOADES further underlines Singapore’s commitment towards promoting clean sport and upholding sports integrity within ASEAN and across the wider Asia-Oceania region. We are glad to collaborate with our regional and international partners including World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) on these efforts.”;

3. The AOADES is jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Southeast Asia Regional Anti Doping Organisation (SEARADO), with support from Anti-Doping Singapore (ADS). The three-day symposium aims to advance the role of education in the protection of clean sport, enhance anti-doping capability and capacity building through the sharing of best practices, and facilitate collaboration in the Asia-Oceania region to deliver clean sport education programmes. It is also part of Singapore’s contribution in support of international efforts to promulgate anti-doping practices through values-based education.

4. Speakers from the WADA and experts from National Anti-Doping Organisations from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea as well as the United States of America, will be sharing best practices and approaches in promoting anti-doping education and supporting athletes. Sport Singapore will also be holding exclusive programmes on inculcating values-based learning in clean sport, for practitioners ranging from educators to coaches.

5. Mr Hayashi Kazuhiro, Director of Asia/Oceania Office, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), said: “Education is the single best way to prevent doping and is increasingly becoming a central pillar of the mission to protect clean sport. WADA appreciates the efforts of the Government of Singapore and the Southeast Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization in taking the lead and hosting this important symposium. With its practical approach and the presence of so many experts in this field, we are sure the meeting will have a great effect in this region.”

6. This conference prefaces the WADA Global Education Conference (GEC) in Cannes, France, from 28-29 February 2024, where anti-doping practitioners and researchers will discuss emerging trends, share best practices and reflect on how education can further efforts in the fight against doping.