Russell Holden is in a unique position as his career has spanned the fields of education, international affairs and the voluntary sector. His time in education is supplemented by his experience as Executive Officer at the Welsh Centre for International Affairs.

In this post, he was UNICEF’s advocate and representative in Wales (1984-89) and became very involved with development and humanitiarian issues, particularly as a consequence of visiting UNICEF projects in a number of India’s largest cities. Russell was also the co-ordinator of Sport Aid in Wales, masterminding a range of fundraising initiatives in response to the famine in Ethiopia in 1985.

Russell has maintained his link with the Welsh Centre and is now an active Trustee of the charity.

In recent times Russell has been consulted by Radio 4, Radio 5 and BBC Radio Wales on issues relating to human rights issues and the Beijing Olympics. He has also been asked by the British Library to provide advice and guidance on the creation of a new website resource for the London 2012 Olympics. In addition, he is working with the Sport Wales on issues relating to political advocacy in conjunction with Positif Politics.

Capitalising on this rare combination of skills at a time when Wales is hosting its first Ashes Test and the Ryder Cup, whilst the UK is continuing its preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, In the Zone offers expert analysis and insight on a range of issues including:

• the role of sport in promoting national prestige, loyalty, identity and patriotism

• globalization of international sport

• guidance to political parties with respect to the formation and evolution of policy on sport, public participation and its economic impact

• the complexities of the governance of international sport

• issues of morality and human rights and how this effects participation in international sport, most notably Zimbabwe

• issues relating to the Olympics their impact on all UK sports and the funding of other cultural activities

• insight on issues of political risk and its impact on international sport

• the teaching of sport in the school curriculum as an academic discipline in secondary and higher education

• provision of short courses for staff in leisure and sport provision as part of continuing professional development

Russell is also one of the three judges for the University of Wales Gareth Jones Memorial Travel Scholarship.

For information on any of the above please contact Russell.