Leszek J. Sibilski is a former Professor of Sociology and a longtime advocate for issues related to climate change, the environment, family, public policy, global poverty, youth, sports, and the role of women in contemporary society. He has consulted for The World Bank Group and the United Nations and worked with several other major global organizations to improve the status and plight of athletes with disabilities in developing countries. Dr. Sibilski was also the Director of International Affairs for Achilles International in New York City.
He is a former Polish National Olympic Cycling Team member and continues to serve as an active member of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee. His interest and vast knowledge in global sports led to his appointment as a member of the Education Committee for the International Paralympic Committee. For his service on behalf of athletes with disabilities, Dr. Sibilski received awards from the Mayors of New York City, the City of Boston, and the Chinese Federation of Persons with Disabilities.
Dr. Sibilski earned a master’s in Education and Sport Science from the Academy of Sport and Physical Education in Poznan, Poland. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology in Social Inclusion and Social Movements from the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland. His professional background and educational experience have led him to several academic teaching opportunities in community, private, and public higher education institutions. Early in his career, Dr. Sibilski was a photographer and reporter for a leading sports magazine in Poland. Before that, he taught elementary and secondary school physical education.
In 2015, Dr. Leszek Sibilski wrote a post published on the World Bank's People, Spaces, Deliberation blog, "Cycling is Everyone's Business." The article was highly popular and received excellent feedback, prompting him to spearhead a global campaign for the United Nations to establish a "World Bicycle Day." On April 12, 2018, his efforts came to fruition when the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution A/RES/72/272, which declared June 3rd as "WorldBicycle Day."