Stronger Together: Youth Sport Leaders reunite in Cape Town

The youth sport leaders and experts from the “Stronger Together” project, led by ICSSPE and co-funded by the UNESCO Participation Programme, gathered for a workshop held from 14-19 September, in Cape Town, South Africa. This initiative brought together a group of selected passionate grassroots sport leaders from Namibia, Zambia, and South Africa who had previously completed a number of enriching online sessions with international experts.

 

Participants collaborated to reshape the ICSSPE toolkit "Let’s Get Moving Together", adding a brand-new chapter for its upcoming second edition. Beyond the academic and professional development, the workshop offered unforgettable moments of connection. They had the chance to meet face-to-face with their mentors and peers, deepening bonds and sharing cultural experiences.

 

The group, led by ICSSPE Development Commmittee Member Jackie Lauff, also visited two local NGOs, Women for Peace and Franschhoek Sinothando Arts and Culture, to exchange insights and best practices, further strengthening the bridge between grassroots sport and community development. To cap off the experience, the ICSSPE delegation joined the 12th Cape Town International Sport and Peace Conference, hosted by Prof. Marion Keim and the Foundation for Sport, Development and Peace, amplifying the voices of youth leaders on a global stage. This opportunity allowed them to share insights from their work, speak about the updated toolkit, and to contribute meaningfully to global conversations on youth leadership and peacebuilding through sport. Prior to the conference, our participants also participated in a "Safeguarding and Antibullying" workshop provided by the conference organizers.

 

"ICSSPE blessed me with the opportunity to network with people in very powerful and prestigious position and for that I will be forever grateful. This whole experience has further inspired me to educate myself and work towards so many more things, and through all that I was educated with throughout the workshops, I can confidently say I am equipped with everything I need to make a big difference in my community and country."

 

Nabo Yaa Plaatjie, Youth Sport Leader from South Africa

 

The “Stronger Together” project continues to champion inclusive, youth-driven solutions through sport and physical activity, aligning with UNESCO’s mission to empower young people in shaping the decisions that impact their lives and communities.