Sport For Development And Peace Research Articles

A fitness obligation or indispensable pastime? A capability-informed inquiry into the developmental impacts of tiyu(体育) on college students in multi-ethnic China

ABSTRACT While the developmental impacts of sport have been extensively researched, with significant attention given to sport-based interventional projects common in sport for development and peace (SDP), fewer studies have approached this focus by investigating ordinary sporting opportunities such as physical education and school sports (PESS). Grounded on an 18-month ethnographic fieldwork conducted in a border region of Southwestern China, this qualitative study targets a multi-ethnic college setting to examine the developmental impacts of regular sporting provisions on campus. Underpinned by relativist ontology and constructionist epistemology, qualitative data were collected from multiple sources through participant observation, online survey and in-depth focus group interviews. Drawing on ‘tiyu (体育)’ and the Capabilities Approach (CA) as conceptual and theoretical references, data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis whereby four themes with sub-themes were contextually and reflexively constructed. These themes include: (1) fundamental means and ends: tiyu is an essential functioning of health and education; (2) individual agency enables extra gains: tiyu for interpersonal affiliation, emotions and control over one’s environment; (3) from instrumental to elemental: tiyu is an indispensable capability of play; (4) developmental prospects are conditional: counter-stories of tiyu. By contextualizing tiyu’s impacts on capabilities and human development, we lastly discussed the malleable nature of tiyu (sport) and the prospects of improving ordinary sporting opportunities with explicit development concerns.

Leveraging global south sports mega events to advance sport for development and peace theory and practice

AbstractThe article aims to contribute to the relationship between sport for development and peace (SDP) and sports mega‐events (SMEs) as viable platforms for accelerating human development and social change goals at local, regional and international levels. Recently, there has been a notable increase in the number of emerging economies in the global South demonstrating their aspirations to bid and (if successful) host SMEs. The article argues that the SDP‐SME nexus can be strategically utilised to redress some of the criticisms levelled against the nature of deployment of SDP activities, particularly in the global South. Therefore, the article argues for leveraging global South SMEs to advance SDP theory and practice. However, leveraging SMEs by the global SDP field requires a fresh strategic direction. The article employs qualitative approaches by drawing upon data from two roundtable discussions and Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup 2022 panel discussions held in New York and Doha. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the transcriptions of the discussions. The article is unique in its advocating for the role that global South SME actors can play in advancing global SDP policy and practice that supports southern agency. The article therefore contributes to a more nuanced understanding of leveraging global South SME hosting towards addressing limitations in global SDP praxis.

‘I was the weird one down there’. The intersecting experiences of Norwegian international sport for development and peace volunteers

ABSTRACT For more than two decades, Norway has been one of the leading actors in engaging international volunteers to sport for development and peace (SDP) organisations in the Global South. SDP is a priority area of Norwegian sports politics, mainly projected through the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) where the international SDP volunteer (SDP-IV) scheme is central. Both local and international volunteers play a crucial role in SDP projects worldwide. To date, research on SDP-IVs has explored individual motivations, learning outcomes and experiences, and there is a body of critical literature examining SDP-IVs through the lenses of neo-liberalism, post-colonialism and critical race theory. Nevertheless, there is limited research addressing how SDP-IVs understand their roles as part of larger SDP policy structures. In response, and drawing on intersectional analysis, this paper explores how stories of gender, ethnicity and class intersect in Norwegian SDP-IV’s experiences of working in the Global South under the NIF’s SDP scheme. The study draws on empirical data from an online survey (N = 91) and two focus groups with former Norwegian SDP-IVs. The results suggest that SDP-IVs variously negotiate their roles and positions in local communities based on social categories. Stories of feeling different, finding comfort in other Norwegian SDP-IVs and negotiating power and privilege were recurrent in the data. It is also argued that by entering a system marked by ‘aid rhetoric’, the SDP-IVs may sustain uneven power relationships between the Global North and Global South. The paper draws attention to the need for critically informed SDP volunteer programme designs that better prepare SDP-IVs for work in Global South contexts.

WALLOPING NEGATIVE TRENDS IN PAKISTAN’S YOUTH THROUGH SPORTS: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Sports have been recognised as an integral part of human life, and their significance cannot be overstated. In Pakistan, however, sports have not been accorded due importance, which has had a negative impact on the country’s youth. Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) is a popular way to address variety of social issues, especially in regions afflicted by negative tendencies. Numerous peace and development organisations, including the United Nations and international development agencies, have acknowledged sportsas asignificant social catalyst. Pakistan is globally tagged for negativity since there is a dearth of literature that corroborates its positive aspects. This country has been a world champion in four sports, and its gloom-ridden image has overshadowed such positive aspects of Pakistan. This research paper exploresthe challenges and opportunities of using sports to address negative trends in Pakistan’s youth. This paper is an effort to introduce the concept of sport for peace and development, as well as a demonstration of how sport may help create peace, promote a favourableglobal image, and involve Pakistani youth in constructive activities. The paper in the beginning highlights sports’ significance for a nation, then illustrates the sports landscape in Pakistan. It then delves into the challenges faced by Pakistani youth in terms of physical fitness and mental health. Since Pakistan is a sports-loving nation, there is a dire need to revive the sports culture in Pakistan to engage its youth in constructive activities for pragmatic outcomes. The paper concludes by highlighting the opportunities that lie ahead by fostering the sports spirit through the collaboration of the government, private sector, community, and civil society

Before Asking “What Happens Next?”: The Compatibility Between the Olympic Education Principles and The Objectives of Sport for Development and Peace

The United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace has been closed in 2017 and its mission has been conveyed to the International Olympic Committee. The aim of this article is therefore to explore whether the principles of Olympic Education, based on Olympism and the Olympic Movement, are compatible with the objectives of Sport for Development and Peace. Qualitative research method was used in this research. And phenomenological research design was adapted as an instructive method for collecting and analyzing data. In-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 6 participants whom were selected through purposive sampling based on their expertise on the topics of the research question. The resulting data was compiled using descriptive analysis and classified using content analysis. According to 11 main themes and 2 sub-themes that have been deducted, it has been revealed that Olympic Education principles and Sport for Development and Peace objectives complement each other in terms of conceptual basis and practice. On the basis of the research findings, the following conclusions were drawn: The participants of the Sport for Development and Peace programmes need to take active roles in the process; the policy resolutions upon the research subjects need to be implemented fully and effectively; the stakeholders in the Olympic Education and Sport for Development and Peace processes need to be all in cooperation and coordination; the sustainability of the process needs to be maintained; the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee needs to be maintained on an equal footing.

Navigating the imperial legacy: exploring the discourse of sport for development and peace in Flanders for communities with a migration background

ABSTRACT Sport is often harnessed to serve broader societal objectives. In Flanders (Belgium) – the region of interest in this research – sport is instrumentalised to promote social integration and inclusion, particularly among communities with a migration background. However, this Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) policy and programming is not straightforward. Scholars have pointed to the lingering imperial residue within SDP, prompting a need for critical examination. Therefore, this research aims to gain an understanding of how contemporary SDP discourse in Flanders is socially and culturally constructed and what its performative implications are for communities with a migration background. To this end, online documents from the sport administration and organisations involved in SDP were subjected to critical discourse analysis informed by the theoretical and cultural understanding of post-colonial theory and decoloniality. The findings indicate that SDP discourse reflects a complex interplay of imperial legacies and neoliberal influences, simultaneously projecting an image of inclusivity and perpetuating inequalities. Consequently, decolonising the SDP discourse in Flanders is an imperative transformative process and requires a comprehensive approach rooted in historical awareness, contextual sensitivity, and challenging existing power structures. This decolonisation may pave the way for a more equitable and inclusive SDP framework, genuinely reflecting the diverse realities of communities with a migration background while acknowledging and rectifying its colonial legacy.

Sport for Development and Peace in the United Nations: An Empirical Study on the Development of the Role of SDP in the UN in the Context of the Closure of the UNOSDP

In 2017, it was decided that the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) is to be closed. This qualitative study aims to analyse the reasons for the closure as well as its effects on Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) in the United Nations. Against the background of the systems theory, we conducted interviews with participants from relevant organisations. It is shown that the way the UNOSDP worked underwent a change and that the new tasks as well as their fulfilment were viewed controversially. Additionally, broader changes in development policy set a new frame for SDP.

The Use of Bricolage in a Resource-Constrained Sport for Development and Peace Organization

Despite the growth of the sport-for-development and peace (SDP) field, the sector remains heavily resource-constrained whereby organizations have limited resources but also operate in resource-scarce environments. Given this, we draw on the theoretical concept of bricolage to explore how such resource constraints are overcome. In this study, an organization implementing SDP for refugees and throughout their existence have been confronted with resource constraints is examined. Across the organization’s start-up phase and growth stage, multiple forms of bricolage are identified, which enabled the organization to address the social needs of refugees through SDP. We discuss these findings in relation to existing literature on bricolage as well as social entrepreneurship in SDP, emphasizing the way in which the recombination of resources offers opportunities for organizations and practitioners to effectively manage a scarce resource base.

Glocalizing Action in the Anthropocene: Understanding the Potential Roles of Sport for Development and Peace

The Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) sector employs sport to stimulate social and personal development beyond sports. However, limited attention has been given to environmental sustainability and SDP's role within the Anthropocene. This study examines how SDP stakeholders interpret macro policies and navigate climate action challenges. The concept of glocalization helps reveal the complexities of addressing climate change at a local level. Semi-structured interviews (N = 4) were conducted with SDP practitioners from NGOs in Brazil and the UK. Findings reveal two key themes: the barriers and opportunities presented by the SDGs and the role of personal experiences in making environmental engagement relevant. The findings shed new light on the diverse motivations that drive SDP NGOs in addressing environmental concerns, as well as the challenges they encounter in contributing to environmental sustainability. This study emphasizes the need for SDP-specific environmental policies, practices, and glocalized responses to the Anthropocene on various levels.

A holistic framework of power to observe constraining and enabling manifestations and outcomes of power within international Sport for Development and Peace partnerships

The purpose of this article is to introduce a holistic framework of power that can serve to examine constraining and enabling manifestations of power within international Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) partnerships. The article is grounded in the recognition that the international SDP sector is wrapped up in ‘post-colonial residue’ and brings to the fore issues and power and inequality based on the construction and maintenance of hegemonic power relations. The article calls for SDP scholars to challenge the nature of partnerships and practices within the sector between international partners from the global north and global south. To develop and advance the case for this novel theoretical framework for studying power in SDP, the article is organized into three parts. The first part highlights the critical literature from the SDP and international development sectors concerning the nature of power relations with a specific focus on critical debates concerning social hierarchies. The second part offers a theoretical proposition and a three-phase theoretical model drawing on the work of Giulianotti, Lukes and Coleman to argue that power within international SDP partnerships is not static but needs to be recognized as a complex interplay of actions and outcomes. Finally, the article highlights how and why the holistic theoretical framework may be useful for SDP scholars in analysing and challenging power relations in future empirical-based research.

‘When we meet, we play football, it reminds me of home': emotions, institutional work, and sport-for-development and peace

ABSTRACT Research question While there is a growing body of scholarship on institutional work in sport, less is known about the role of emotions by which institutions are affected. This study aims to explore the role of emotions in sport-for-development and peace (SDP)-related institutional work to challenge conditions of social inequality for refugees in Kampala, Uganda. Two core research questions are: (1) How do emotions related to forced displacement inform the institutional work of an SDP organization? (2) What emotions are mobilized by refugees and an SDP organization to challenge the institution of social inequality? Research methods Guided by a participatory action research approach, fieldwork was undertaken with a refugee-led organization in Kampala. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, photovoice, and photocollaging. Ethical consent was obtained from all individuals participating in the research and for the display of images. Results and Findings The findings demonstrate that a variety of emotions experienced as positive (e.g. love of sport) or negative (e.g. stress) stimulate SDP-related work to change relations between host communities and refugees. The findings also illustrate that emotions experienced positively (e.g. nostalgia, happiness) were generated via SDP activities, including creation of sport groups related to homelands and conflict resolution among refugees and host communities. Three mechanisms – diverting, bonding, peacemaking – are identified that enabled SDP-related practices to transform refugees’ emotions. The resulting positive emotional state helped to undermine the institution of social inequality between the host community and refugees. Implications This study advances theoretical development of institutional theory in sport management by accounting for the lived experience and emotions that play a role in SDP-related institutional work.

Bicycles and the Potential of Unstructured Sport for Development and Peace

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) continues to grow, both in research and practice. Recently, researchers have considered the merits of unstructured sport as a way of realizing sport’s benefits while circumnavigating its perceived problematic elements. This article reports findings from research on ‘Bicycles for Development’ (BFD) – a movement that trades on bicycle access as a way of achieving development objectives. We draw from interviews and fieldwork with BFD stakeholders, with the aim of examining BFD in relation to the SDP field – and de-sportization especially. Three research findings are relevant along these lines: (1) bicycles as beneficial due to their inherent multi-functionality; (2) the merits of unstructured physical activity; and (3) factors that impact negatively on bicycle access and thus might hinder BFD’s transformational potential. We conclude with reflections on BFD’s potential in subverting both common notions of sport in SDP and the neoliberal model of SDP provision.

How sport changed my life? Description of the perceived effects of the experiences of young Colombians throughout a sport for development and peace program.

This study contributes to the advancement of the field of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) research in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). There are still few studies on SDP programs in this region and it is important to document and understand the impacts of these programs on participants. The present study is the result of a collaborative research that aims to describe the experiences and perceptions of Colombian youth and program managers who participated in an SDP program that took them from a local community sports club to the Olympic Games. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with key actors (administrators, coaches, and athletes) who participated in a triple and transversal (local, district and national) Olympic walking training program. The results provided a better understanding of the program dynamics in the local, regional, and national level, as well as of the short- and long-term effects perceived by the actors of the process on their development, education, health, and career. Recommendations are made for SDP organizations in LAC. Future studies should continue to investigate the SDP initiative in LAC to understand how sport can help development and peace building in this region.

Coordination processes in partnerships between German governmental organizations and German sports federations in jointly implemented SDP projects.

Sports and physical activity are increasingly used as instruments of development policy. Within this field of sport for development and peace (SDP), one can observe a large number of partnerships between national governmental organizations and national sport federations. These are particularly important although these organizations pursue different core objectives with their SDP engagement. The aim of this qualitative study is to analyze how German governmental organizations and sports federations coordinate jointly managed SDP projects. Against the backdrop of systems theory, we conducted interviews with participants from relevant organizations. The qualitative content analysis revealed that inter-organizational coordination takes place partly in hierarchical and partly in network-based structures. The results show complex patterns between the participating organizations which gain varying degrees of influence on the SDP projects and seek to get specific resources through the cooperations. These should be taken into consideration when designing SDP projects to build stable cooperations that bring all the participating organizations an added value.

‘Tiyu (体育)’ for Development and Peace? An Examination of Attitudes and Possibilities of the People’s Republic of China Regarding the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) Movement

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has appeared to be inattentive towards the globally lobbied Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) movement that endeavors to leverage sport for non-sporting development, currently subscribing to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By adopting the concept of ‘tiyu (体育)’—the supposed Chinese counterpart of ‘sport’—which also seeks to achieve wider objectives grounded on its premise of ‘body cultivation’, this paper proceeds with a text-based qualitative study incorporating document analysis and literature review to examine its current links to SDP. The findings suggest that: (1) While the national development foci of the PRC have demonstrated alignment with the SDGs, its tiyu policies have not. (2) Mainstream SDP projects have failed to be accommodated in the PRC, although some non-SDP tiyu practices have shown a commitment to SDP-desired outcomes. (3) The relative lack of interest in SDP in the PRC has not prevented some tiyu scholars from heeding this movement. Accordingly, this paper assesses the prospects of changing attitudes in the PRC toward SDP.

The benefits and challenges of shared leadership in sport for development and peace collaboratives

ABSTRACT Inadequate leadership is a common reason for the failure of multi-organizational collaboratives, yet limited attention has been given to explore the role of shared leadership in these types of collaborations. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the perceived benefits and challenges of shared leadership in two multi-organizational collaboratives in Sport for Development and Peace (SDP). Semi-structured interviews (n = 30) with members along with publicly available documents were analyzed. Perceived benefits of shared leadership included (a) collective impact, (b) collective learning, (c) network capacity, (d) cohesion and (e) shared responsibilities. At the same time, challenges were centered around (a) challenging leadership dynamics, (b) varying levels of information sharing, (c) lack of understanding of shared leadership and (d) inconsistent quality of engagement. This study contributes to sport management literature by focusing on practitioners’ lived experiences of the positive outcomes and possible barriers to shared leadership in the context of multi-organizational collaboratives.

Becoming an Occupation? A Research Agenda Into the Professionalization of the Sport for Development and Peace Sector

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) has transformed from what some termed a “social movement” to an institutionalized sector with numerous organizations and practitioners involved, resulting in trends that point toward SDP becoming a recognized category of work through professional training. The purpose of this paper is to utilize theories of professions and institutional isomorphism to advance the significance and importance of thinking about SDP as a profession. Three emerging trends that point to the professionalization of SDP are reviewed: (a) increasing opportunities to attain SDP certifications and training, (b) the growing number of SDP-specific academic degrees, and (c) the creation of a SDP knowledge base, particularly in relation to monitoring and evaluation. To conclude, theoretical and practical implications of the professionalization of SDP are discussed and a research agenda is outlined for future research on the continued institutionalization, and professionalization, of the SDP sector.

Examining the Role of Shared Leadership in Sport for Development and Peace Programs: A Leader Perspective

A myriad of studies have focused on the impact of traditional leadership behaviors in sport for development and peace (SDP), with only a handful examining the impacts of shared leadership in this area. Within SDP, there is often a strong reliance on volunteers and trained staff who are in the field implementing programming, so formal leaders are not always present on the ground. As a result, the concept of shared leadership is highly appropriate and likely widely used. Yet there exists a lack of evidence on its impacts on SDP organizations and the leaders themselves. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of shared leadership on masters (leaders) within the World Taekwondo Peace Corps (TPC). Notable findings from this qualitative study showed that shared leadership fosters enhanced organizational effectiveness, enhanced knowledge sharing and innovation, ethical climate-building amongst stakeholders, and the development of satisfaction through meaningful experiences. These findings indicate that shared leadership results in several outcomes for both the organization and the leader him or herself.

An Historical Overview of the Culture of Sports in Indonesia: Global Issues and Challenges for Future Indonesian Sports Development Policies

This article seeks to scrutinize the practices involved in promoting sport and exercise culture in Indonesia from a historical perspective and its relationship to global issues. It is expected to give rise to new ideas and advancements for the future developments of sports culture. The promotion is divided into several phases from far before the colonial era. The concept of sport and exercise development surfaced in Indonesia in 1984-1985 in the wake of the UNESCO’78 declaration on sports and physical education. Sport has recently come to colour Indonesia’s national sports development policies in response to global issues. Elite sports have attained a central position in promoting the nation’s honour, image, and dignity through competition against peer states. Meanwhile, sport and exercise development concepts related to the pursuit of MDGs (Millenium Development Goals) and SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) under the UN concept of SDP (Sport for Development and Peace) have not become a prominent strategic issue. They thus have not attracted enough attention to become a routine element of the government policy. This paper will engage in a detailed discussion of new ideas for the future evolution of Indonesian policies in the development of sport and physical exercise to achieve Indonesia’s national ideals as stated in the Preamble of the Indonesian 1945 Constitution.

Conducting collaborative research across global North-South contexts: benefits, challenges and implications of working with visual and digital participatory research approaches

ABSTRACT There are a variety of important methodological considerations for collaborations between global North researchers and local community-based researchers undertaking empirical investigation in the field of sport for development and peace (SDP) in the global South. To explore these, we outline the participatory action research methodology adopted in this study and the use of visual and digital methods to explore the use of bicycles to achieve international development goals – as part of what we call the ‘bicycles for development’ (BFD) movement – in Uganda. We describe (1) the preparation involved in such an approach; (2) the collaborative processes of visual and digital methods utilised for the research; and (3) key elements of our participatory approach, including mutual learning, understanding expectations of the international partnership, and interpreting the nuances involved in conducting cross-cultural research. We conclude the paper by discussing the methodological implications these three elements have for future SDP and BFD research and the importance of critically considering team-based, participatory action research.