Being and bringing together:a brief introduction to sport for development and peace by munas kalden

A Brief Introduction to Sport for Development and Peace

Being and Bringing Together
Munas Kalden

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Being and Bringing Together: A Brief Introduction to Sport for Development and Peacebuilding

A Brief Introduction to Sport for Development and Peace


© Munas Kalden (2011), published by alyaklah, 51/2, Kumaradasa Place, Wellampitiya, Sri Lanka

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Table of Contents
1.1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 6
1.2. Defining Sport in the Development Context: .......................................................................... 9
1.3. Adding Value by Including Peace into Development: ......................................................... 10
References: ........................................................................................................................................... 18

Figure 1: Young Girls from Tamils and Sinhalese are interacting in Amparai, Sri Lanka. The project was
facilitated by UNDP ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 2: Tamil Students from Jaffna, Sri Lanka Empowered for Learning amidst War. The
project funded by UNICEF. ..................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 3: Development plus Sport and Sport plus Development ...................................................... 15

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Sport and play are deeply-rooted human needs. Through sport, children are able to test
themselves in peaceful competition against opponents, to learn how to deal with victory
and defeat, to accept rules, to discover the limits of their bodies or to integrate as a
member of a team. Sport also lets children learn and practice fundamental social skills
combining fun and play – skills by the way which go far beyond sport in their
importance. They are crucial for peaceful co-existence in every society and for a life of
self-determination of every individual.

Therefore, sport is not a luxury in a society. On the contrary, sport is an important
investment in the present and the future – particularly in the countries that are
recovering from conflict. Sport has a proven positive impact on social cohesion,
reconciliation and community coexistence on the one hand, and on physical and mental
health on the other as well as a superlative ability to bring people together across
borders of all kinds.

These unique qualities make sport an ideal motor for peacebuilding and development
processes at the individual and social levels. Sport is not a new topic in development
cooperation, but after many years during which its potential was not specifically and
systematically used, there exists today a rapidly growing consensus that sport and play
can make an important contribution to recover from conflict, build peace and achieving

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national development goals and peacebuilding objectives, including the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs).

A symbol of this realisation is the resolution by the UN General Assembly making 2005
the International Year of Sport and Physical Education. It aims to make the benefits of
sport for peace, development, education and health available to all – in conflict and post
conflict countries.

Two things in particular are needed to make this succeed: one, a stronger awareness
by all actors – UN agencies, international organisations, governments, sports
associations, the private sector, aid groups, the peacebuilding practitioners and
development community and the media – of the considerable potential of sport, and
two, greater cooperation between all actors.

I have prepared this booklet during my work with UNDP, Sri Lanka in its transition
recovery programme. I have contributed, during 2009-2010, to sport for peace and
development initiatives. Primarily, it was prepared to build the capacity of staff,
implementing partners and sport coach. This is an updated version.

Munas Kalden

munas.kalden@gmail.com

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Sport for Development
and Peacebuilding

1.1. Introduction

What does sport have to do with peace and development? Only a few
years ago this question would have had many experts scratching their
heads in puzzlement. A lot has changed in the meantime. Sport now
occupies a firm place on the development policy agenda and even
skeptics admit that contribution of sport to peace and development has
considerable potential.

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It
has the power to unite the people in a way that little else does. It
speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope
where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than
governments. It brings down racial barriers.

-Nelson Mandela (at the ‘Laureus World Sports Awards’ in Abu Dhabi
on March 10, 2010)

People in every nation love sport. Its use their talents to the fullest, learn the
values are universal. And when young ideals of teamwork and tolerance, and
people participate in sports or have be drawn away from the dangers of
access to physical education, they can drugs and crime. -Kofi Annan
build up their health and self-esteem, (UNESCO, 2009, p. 22)

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approaches, and stages needed to
Sport for Development and Peace refers transform conflict toward more
to the intentional use of sport, physical sustainable, peaceful relationships. The
activity and play to attain specific term thus involves a wide range of
development and peace objectives, activities that both precede and follow
including, most notably, the Millennium formal peace accords. Metaphorically,
Development Goals (MDGs). United peace is seen not merely as a stage in
Nations General Assembly recalled its time or a condition. It is a dynamic social
decision to include sport for peace and construct." Lederach speaks of conflict
development (UN, 2003). It encourages transformation as a holistic and multi-
Governments and United Nations faceted approach to managing violent
System to seek new and innovative conflict in all its phases. The term
ways to use sport for communication signifies an ongoing process of change
and social mobilization, particularly at from negative to positive relations;
the national, regional and local levels, behavior, attitudes and structures.
engaging civil society through active The integrated approach to
participation and ensuring that target peacebuilding must take into account
audiences are reached. And, sport plays the complex and multi-dimensional
a vital role in sustaining peaceful nature of the human experience and rely
relationship and changing from negative on broad social participation. "A
to positive relations, behavior, attitudes sustainable transformative approach
and structures. John Paul Lederach suggests that the key lies in the
(1997) refers this as peacebuilding. relationship of the involved parties, with
all that the term encompasses at the
Peacebuilding, according to him, "is psychological, spiritual, social,
more than post-accord reconstruction" economic, political and military levels."
and "is understood as a comprehensive Cultivating an "infrastructure for
concept that encompasses, generates, peacebuilding" means that "we are not
and sustains the full array of processes, merely interested in 'ending' something

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that is not desired. We are oriented - including persons with disability
toward the building of relationships that and
in their totality form new patterns,
- preventing conflict and building
processes, and structures."
peace (Sports for Development
and Peace International Working
It has been recognized as the means to
Group, 2008).
“bridge social, religious, racial and
gender divides, hence contributing to
At the end of 2003, the UN General
lasting peace” (Beutler, 2008: 365).
Assembly adopted a resolution on the
While sport has already been fair-well
role of sport as a means to promote
established as a tool in development
health, education, development and
schemes, especially the “last decade
peace. It proclaimed 2005 as the
has seen a substantial increase in the
International Year for Sport and Physical
use of sport to assist specific
Education, stating that “the United
development programs” (Levermore,
Nations is turning to the world of sport
2008: 56), resulting in an ongoing
for help in the work for peace and the
popping up of sport-in-development
effort to achieve the Millennium
projects (Van Eekeren, 2006). National
Development Goals.” Since then, sport
governments, international
has also been reconfirmed as a tool to
organizations, NGOs and locally based
accelerate the achievement of the
community organizations (CBOs) put
Millennium Development Goals and to
great efforts on them and are convinced
promote peace. The MDGs were
of their benefits, in terms of
established by the UN and were
- promoting health and preventing
originally supposed to be reached by the
disease,
end of 2015. Their major aim was to
- promoting child and youth focus world attention and resources on
development, the eradication of global poverty (cp.
Beutler, 2008; UNOSDP, 2010a;
- promoting gender equality and
UNOSDP, 2010b).
empowering girls and women,
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paucity of evidence that justifies the use
Sport is increasingly recognized as an of sport in these roles” (Kay, 2009:
important tool in helping the United 1177). Theory-guided research,
Nations achieve its objectives, in evaluation and monitoring are still
particular the Millennium Development limited, and empirical evidence to test
Goals (MDGs). By including sport in the effects of interventions is rare
development and peace programmes in (Levermore & Beacom, 2009). In
a more systematic way, the United addition, and in order to achieve the
Nations can make full use of this cost- objective of development and peace,
efficient tool to help us create a better there is a need to redesign the image,
world. Ban Ki-Moon (UNESCO, 2009: and understanding, of the term “sport”
22). (UNESCO, 2009: 7) in development
Sport is acknowledged as having the setting and peacebuilding context.
unique power to reach developmental
objectives (Gschwend & Selvaraju, 1.2. Defining Sport in the
2006) - but can sport really live up to its Development Context:
expectations? Does sport actually make
Definitions of the term “sport” vary. In a
a contribution to those people for whose
development context, the definition of
benefits the sport-in-development
sport usually includes a broad and
projects are set up? How much is truly
inclusive spectrum of activities suitable
known about the effects of such
to people of all ages and abilities, with
projects? Do their claims endure in
an emphasis on the positive values of
reality?
sport. In 2003, the UN Inter-Agency
Task Force on Sport for Development
While many of the stakeholders take
and Peace defined sport, for the
sport-in-development-projects outcomes
purposes of development, as “all forms
for granted, some project leaders and
of physical activity that contribute to
organizations have been more critical,
physical fitness, mental well-being and
“posing searching questions about the
social interaction, such as play,

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recreation, organized or competitive as „ill-defined interventions with hard-to-
sport, and indigenous sports and follow outcomes‟ (quoted in Coalter,
games” (UN, 2003). This definition has 2007: 31), could be viewed as especially
been accepted by many proponents of relevant to much policy rhetoric in sport-
Sport for Development and Peace and for-development. Sport has consistently
is the working definition of sport for the been regarded as „character building‟ –
purposes of this study. not only developing certain personal and
social skills, but also moral personality
traits such as discipline, honesty,
integrity, generosity and trustworthiness
(President‟s Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports, 2006). Further, the
supposed efficacy of sport has been
strengthened by being regarded as a
„neutral‟ social space where all citizens,
Figure 1: Young Girls from Tamils and Sinhalese are or so-called „sports people‟, met as
interacting in Amparai, Sri Lanka. The project was
facilitated by UNDP
equals in an environment regarded as
an „unambiguously wholesome and
healthy activity in both a physical and
In the case of „sport-for- moral sense‟ (Smith and Waddington,
development‟, which Kruse (2006: 8) 2004: 281).
refers to as „intriguingly vague and open
for several interpretations‟, these 1.3. Adding Value by Including
outcomes range from changed Peace into Development:
individual sexual behaviour via
In recent years, various organisations
community level social cohesion, to the
and coalitions have grown up around
achievement of „peace‟ at regional or
the use of sport and sport in particular
national level. Pawson‟s (2004) more
for social development and
general comment that much social
peacebuilding – Homeless World Cup,
policy intervention can be characterized
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streetfootballword, Football for model of SDP project often uses sport
Development and Right to Play, as well for no other end than as a means of
as the International Platform for Sport getting people together to practise sport
and Development (Sportanddev.org) – and develop their skills; social cohesion
and Giulianotti (2009, 2010, 2011) has is built on the field of contest, or through
done extensive work to map out the rise interacting together as part of the
of the sector. Where the international procedures of a tournament.
platform – sportanddev.org – terms the
sector S&D (Sport and Development), Some examples in the dialogical model
Giulianotti calls it SDP (Sport, at least offer the possibility of changing
Development and Peace). The sector is the rules to facilitate the ends – e.g. a
in the process of gathering existing goal scored by a girl counts double or
information and establishing no goals count until a girl scores would
communication and networks, at the be a rule-change that would facilitate
same time as moving to improve equality of gender or offer a space for
monitoring and evaluation. It is young gender questions to be asked. Where
and vigorous, while appearing slightly the technical model might offer coaching
lightweight in academic terms in a sport sponsored by a global drinks
(Naughton, 2011: 17). manufacturer, the dialogical model is
more likely to offer coaching to coaches,
Giulianotti (2011) defines three models who can cascade the learning into their
of SDP project: technical, dialogical and communities, along with any add-ons
critical. The first and second are the particular to the social issue being
most commonly found at the moment, addressed - eg gender imbalance, or
where they are largely directed from the ethnic or religious tension.
outside by international NGOs or
institutions or are even as part of The critical model is the least
corporate social responsibility projects developed, according to Giulianotti
of transnational giants. The technical (2011), but offers most transformational

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possibilities, being based in and directed concern. For example, the
from the grassroots, as well as having Norwegian Olympic Committee and
less emphasis on the sport‟s own ends Confederation of Sports (NIF) started
as an end of the project – i.e. merely supporting sport for-all projects in
creating a team so that it will win, or Tanzania in 1984; Olympic Solidarity
coaching players only so they will distributes resources from the
improve in that sport. However, the television rights of the Olympic
critical model seems to be vague in Games to national Olympic
detail of real examples, and although Committees; the Dutch FA (KNVB)
written from the point of view of supports the development of football
inclusion, seem to still be based on in countries with which it has historic
intervention by northern or at least links; Commonwealth Games
external agencies. Canada supports the Canadian
Caribbean Coaching Certification
Program. However, while all contain
an element of altruism, such
initiatives are often undertaken for
clear diplomatic purposes (see Kidd,
2008).
 Humanitarian assistance in which
fund-raising in sport is used to
Figure 2: Tamil Students from Jaffna, Sri Lanka provide forms of aid assistance,
Empowered for Learning amidst War. The project
funded by UNICEF. frequently for refugees. This is
Kidd (2008) suggests that there are exemplified by the early work of
three broad, overlapping, approaches: Olympic Aid, some of the
 Traditional sports development in subsequent work of Right to Play,
which the provision of basic sports the work of the British charity Sport
coaching, equipment and Relief, and the partnership between
infrastructure are the central

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UNICEF and Barcelona FC to Coalter (2007) suggests that another
highlight issues and raise funds. approach to classification can be based
 The rather grandiosely named „sport- on the relative emphasis given to sport
for-development-and-peace to achieve certain objectives:
movement‟, which covers a wide  Traditional forms of provision for
variety of organizations and loose sport, with an implicit assumption or
coalitions (Kidd, 2008). It is probably explicit affirmation that such sport
the case that most organizations and has inherent developmental
projects tend to be more concerned properties for participants.
with individual and community  Sport plus, in which sports are
development, rather than the rather adapted and often augmented with
amorphous and ill-defined goal of parallel programmes in order to
„peace‟. maximize their potential to achieve
developmental objectives.
Levermore (2008) proposes an  Plus sport, in which sport‟s
alternative classification based on a popularity is used as a type of „fly
more disaggregated approach to the paper‟ to attract young people to
desired outcomes of sport-for- programmes of education and
development organizations: conflict training (a widespread approach for
resolution and inter-cultural HIV/AIDS prevention programmes),
understanding; building physical, social with the systematic development of
and community infrastructure; raising sport rarely a strategic aim.
awareness, particularly through
education; empowerment; direct impact
“Sport and Development” thus appears
on physical and psychological health
as a dynamic social sphere in which
and general welfare; economic
different thrusts, actors and themes
development and poverty alleviation.
come together. So far there exist hardly
any models which have a conceptual
grasp of this fact. The graphic below

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(SDC, 2005: 19) is an attempt at an development organisations,
integrated model which expresses this governments and NGOs. They use sport
multi-dimensionality. It is intended as a as an instrument to achieve specific
contribution to the formulation of an development goals such as the fight
analytical framework. against HIV/AIDS and the reintegration
of street children. Ideally, these projects
are integrated into broader development
In reality the boundaries are frequently
programmes.
fluid. Depending on the emphasis and
intensity of the development dimension,
Sport plus development: Typically, these
projects may shift left or right on the
projects are initiated by governments
continuum. Similar behavior can be
and actors from the world of sport. They
observed regarding themes: The
aim to promote sport and sport
overlapping nature of sport enables it to
education in schools and consider sport
be used as a cross-cutting instrument
as a value in itself. Deliberately or not
for several themes.
they can contribute to development
through the formation of community
The two thrusts can be characterised as
structures, the promotion of income and
follows:
the provision of infrastructures.
Development plus sport: The starting
point for these projects is mostly

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Figure 3: Development plus Sport and Sport plus Development

Of course, there is a continuum of sport for the achievement of certain outcomes
plus and plus sport programmes and (Coalter, 2007).
differences are not always clear-cut,
with outcomes being pursued via However, some of the critics also
varying mixtures of organizational acknowledge that their analyses are
values, ethics and practices, symbolic complicated by the longstanding
games and more formal didactic presence of a number of indigenous
approaches. In such circumstances sport-for-development organizations that
sport is mostly a vitally important are based on the local identification of
necessary, but not sufficient condition needs, and act as vehicles for local
initiative and development. For example,

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the sport plus Mathare Youth Sport consolidated via the first International
Association (MYSA), currently the Conference on Sport and Development
largest youth soccer programme in in Magglingen, Switzerland in 2003. The
Africa including 11 members of the scale of this recently emerged
Kenyan international football squad, was „movement‟ (Kidd, 2008) is indicated by
established in Nairobi in 1987 (Atkins, the fact that 166 organizations are listed
n.d.; Brady and Kahn, 2002; Coalter, in the International Platform on Sport
2007; Hognestad and Tollisen, 2004; and Development. Kidd (2008: 371)
Munro, 2005; Willis, 2000). Sports argues that this „movement‟ is
Coaches‟ Outreach (SCORE) was qualitatively and quantitatively different
established in South Africa in 1991, with from previous, rather fragmented and ad
its origins in foreign volunteers providing hoc interventions:
sports opportunities for disadvantaged
school children. Although volunteers The current manifestation is different in
remain important, SCORE has the rapid explosion of agencies and
increasingly emphasized the importance organisations that are involved, the
of local capacity building, community tremendous appeal that it has for youth
development and local sustainability volunteering, the financial support it
(Coalter, 2010). enjoys from the powerful international
sports federations and the extent to
However, the rapid development of the which it has been championed by the
broad-based sport-for-development United Nations, its agencies and
movement occurred in the late 1990s significant partners.
along with the establishment of
organizations such as Edusport In 2003, Olympic Aid re-branded itself
Foundation, Zambia (1999), Magic Bus, as Right to Play and extended its direct
Mumbai (1999) and EMIMA, Tanzania delivery remit (Darnell, 2007; Kidd,
(2001) and the Kicking Aids Out network 2008), becoming more specifically a
in 2001. These initiatives were „sport-for-development-and-peace‟

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organization and a major player in the by a gradual acceptance of sport as a
new burgeoning „movement‟. So the human right, but by broader changes
question is, where did this „movement‟ that enabled sport to argue for its
come from and why? (Coalter, 2010: utilitarian contributions to aspects of a
299). new aid paradigm (Renard, 2006).

The sport-for- development and
peacebuilding has been looked at
through human right framework. Such a
broad framework of human rights‟
declarations and humanitarian actions
provided a legitimating framework for a
loose coalition of sporting organizations
to lobby for investment to widen sporting
opportunities (Coalter, 2010). It laid the
basis for a certain degree of influence in
the international organizations that had
issued these declarations, especially the
United Nations and its various agencies,
such as UNICEF and UNDP.

However, is seems undeniable that the
great step, if not leap, forward for sport-
for-development is to be explained not

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