Cardiff Blues welcomed global leaders to the Arms Park on Wednesday as part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office International Leaders Programme.
World leaders from far and wide descended on the iconic Arms Park for a presentation on the importance and impact of community engagement, delivered by Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland and Cardiff Blues Community Foundation director Nadine Griffiths.
Cardiff Blues shared their leadership insights and discussed the formation, role and impact of the industry-leading Community Foundation with delegates including the First Deputy Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, the First Chief Executive Officer of Malta’s Police Force, the Chief Executive Officer of the Namibia Trade Forum and Croatia’s Youngest ever Constitutional Judge.
Ahead of visiting the Arms Park, delegates were hosted by Rhondda MP Chris Bryant at the Houses of Parliament before travelling to Cardiff for a dinner at Cardiff Castle. They then visited the Urdd and enjoyed a reception with First Minister Mark Drakeford at the Senedd.
Richard Holland said: “The FCO International Leaders Programme is an excellent initiative and delegates from all around the world, including Cameroon, Guyana, Uzbekistan and Zambia, received a great flavour of Wales.
“It was an honour to welcome so many impressive individuals to the Arms Park and we were delighted to offer an insight into the great work being done by our foundation and its importance to our entire business.”
The Cardiff Blues Community Foundation is the charitable, not-for-profit community arm of Cardiff Blues, covering five unitary authorities, 16 Community First cluster areas, 76 community clubs, 61 secondary schools and 320 primary schools.
Using the power and values of sport the market-leading Foundation’s mission is to INSPIRE, ENGAGE and IMPROVE opportunities for all people within our communities.
The International Leaders Programme identifies global leaders of the future and then brings them to the UK for a week’s programme of high–level meetings, discussions, visits and briefings.
It was launched in March 2013 by the former Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon William Hague MP, and it showcases diverse aspects of the UK and includes high level engagement with government, Parliament, media, business, education and civil society.
This programme promotes lasting partnerships with a new generation of global decision makers with the potential to impact on the United Kingdom’s global prosperity and security interests.