AFL CHIEF executive Andrew Demetriou has used his address to the United Nations Human Rights Council to describe the AFL as a leader in the fight against racism in sport and the wider community.

Demetriou, whose pre-recorded address was played to the UN HRC in Geneva, said the AFL had endured several painful episodes of racial abuse more than a decade ago, but had since become an "aggressive and purposeful leader of change".

The chief executive said he hoped the lessons learned and policies implemented by the AFL could be an example for the rest of the world.

"The reality is it took several painful episodes of racial abuse more than a decade ago for us to confront the issue of racism both on and off the field," Demetriou said, before addresses from Indigenous games record-holder Andrew McLeod and AFL community engagement manager Jason Mifsud.

"As a consequence, I'm proud to say that the AFL of today has emerged as an aggressive and purposeful leader of change, and that so many people from so many different backgrounds have found a real sense of equality and compassion through our game.

"The issue of equality is a benchmark of our game and our decision-making … it is a game that provides an opportunity for all."

Demetriou touched on the history of Australian football and spoke of the game's national expansion and international ambitions.

He highlighted that the game is played by people of "every size, shape, speed, and cultural background".

"Our game is played with spirit, with fairness, with courage, with respect, and with understanding," Demetriou said. "More importantly, our game is open to everyone regardless of their background.

"We like to think that the strength of our game today is that it's a game for anyone and everyone. A game that is inclusive, accessible and affordable. A game that does not discriminate.  A game that brings people together."

McLeod, who has taken up a community engagement and talent coordinator role with the AFL, addressed the council in Switzerland and was joined in the AFL delegation by Mifsud, government relations manager Phil Martin and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Mick Gooda.