GSUN Member Institutions co-host Roundtable in Los Angeles
Representatives from the Univ of Birmingham and Loughborough University, including GSUN Leadership Council Chair Jo Maher, participate in Greater Together LA in May. Photo courtesy of Univ. of Birmingham.
“Sport, universities, and diplomacy: what we learned in Los Angeles
Sport has always been more than competition. It creates shared language, shared rules and, shared moments. At a time when international relationships are often under strain, that matters. A recent roundtable in Los Angeles, co-hosted by the University of Birmingham and Loughborough University, was a timely reminder that sport can be one of the most effective ways of bringing people and institutions together.
The LA roundtable was part of Greater Together LA, a UK Government delegation to California from 19 to 21 May 2026. The programme brought together leaders, founders and policymakers from the UK and US under the theme of “Unexpected Connections”. The delegation was led by Lisa Nandy, the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and co-hosted by Sir Lucian Grainge of Universal Music Group.
Our roundtable discussion came at an important moment. North America is preparing for the FIFA World Cup in 2026, and Los Angeles will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028. These events will generate global attention as well as commercial opportunity. But their real value will depend on whether they leave a wider legacy: healthier communities, more inclusive participation, stronger local economies and better international collaboration.”