|  | Feature: “Mega Sport Events in Developing Countries” | No.53 May 2008 |
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A Coordinated Approach for Using Sport as a Tool for Peace-Building and Social Transformation in South Africa Marion Keim |
Abstract This paper sees the upcoming Soccer World Cup as an opportunity to raise awareness for the current challenges to social transformation, peace building and development work experienced by South African non-governmental organisations, governmental and tertiary institutions. It stresses the use of sport as a vehicle for peace building and development in a coordinated approach as exemplified by the Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development and its Kicking for Peace Programme. It recommends to strengthen both the work of social transformation and peace building and those organisations engaged in it by forming or supporting similar active networks and by working with a holistic and coordinated approach involving unconventional methods such as sport. It calls to actively use the upcoming Soccer World Cup as a nation-building event which can spread the joy and enthusiasm of soccer between now and 2010, and also beyond, to all communities in South Africa and Africa. Generally speaking, sport law careers can be separated into two broad categories. First are those careers in which one who is a licensed attorney engages in the practice of law in some segment of the sport industry. Second, there are a vast number of alternative career paths for those with law degrees but who are not actively engaged in the practice of law. Introduction: Global Perceptions of Sport as a “Beacon of Hope” Globally governmental and non-governmental organisations, even the United Nations, increasingly see sport as a means for peace building, social transformation and development. In 2005, sport was for the first time included in The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and affirmed as a “beacon of hope” for peace building and development efforts throughout the world. In April 2006, Adolf Ogi, Special Adviser to Kofi Annan on Sport for Development and Peace, reiterated that call at the International Conference on Sport and Development at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town “Sport, with its joys and triumphs, its pains and defeats, its emotions and challenges, is an unrivalled medium for the promotion of education, health, development and peace. Sport helps us demonstrate, in our pursuit of the betterment of humanity, that there is more than unites than divides us”. (Adolf Ogi, Cape Town, 10 April 2006) With the upcoming Soccer World Cup being held in South Africa in 2010 and also for the first time on the African continent the discussion of the role of sport for development has lately been the topic at numerous conferences, seminars and workshops in South Africa and beyond. The role of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and its possible impact for the country and the African continent in the light of 2010 is a central theme of debate at events such as the bi-national dialogue programme between Germany and South Africa on the role of government, business, religious and civil networks in light of the 2010 World Cup (Kleinmond, February 2008). The Symposium on The Impact of Mega Sport Events on Development Goals (Stellenbosch, March 2008) dealt with similar issues and there is sure to be many more conferences, seminars, and workshops to follow between now and 2010. Whether sport in general and soccer in particular can, in fact, fulfill the ambitious functions claimed by promotors and successfully play this challenging role, depends to a large extent on the way in which sport is organised and presented. The South African historical, political and social situation has sensitised us in that regard to see that sport programmes can indeed take us forward as societies. But if not properly conceived, managed and evaluated, they can also reinforce old prejudices, stereotypes and divisions. Improperly conceived, managed and evaluated sport programmes can even deepen hatred. In post-apartheid South Africa, sport has been seen by politicians, sports officials and many ordinary people as a means to overcome race and class barriers and to forge social transformation, a national identity and development. The former Minister of Sport and Recreation (and later Minister of Community Safety) Stephen Tshwete, believed that “Sport exerts an immeasurable influence as a unifying force for reconciliation and for the process of nationbuilding” (Keim 2003: 171). Especially during the times of the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the African Games in 1999 and the Cricket World Cup in 2003, sport was seen as a nation-builder and harmoniser in South Africa. Optimists hope that the Soccer World Cup can re-emphasise these goals and even reach higher. However, there are also critical voices. Padayachee (2003) warns that due to the “historical, social, economic and cultural legacy of South Africa's conflicting pasts, the impact of globalization - and sport is a principal front of globalization, generating vast economic revenue and creating intolerable pressure to succeed - as well as post-apartheid discrepancies in economic and social conditions are all making it difficult to forge a united national culture, despite the attempt to use sport for the 'mythic enactment' of a collective South African identity” (Padayachee et al, 2004: p253). The cooperation of many stakeholders as well as coordinated approaches are needed and the formation and work of the Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development reflects a unique and collaborative attempt to address this challenge. The Network is active in the Western Cape Province in South Africa with a unique and truly coordinated approach for community peace building and development, using sport and particularly soccer, as a tool to assist in the social transformation and peaceful development and at the same time spread the joy and enthusiasm of soccer to all communities in the Western Cape. The Western Cape Network for Community, Peace and Development The Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development began its work in August 2005 in response to the challenges outlined above. The Network is a collectively guided independent organisation which was initially formed by the German Embassy and the University of the Western Cape in response to the need for networking between German funded organisations dealing with conflict management and crime prevention. Due to its vital focus and the existence of a vast expertise of other South African organisations, the need for further networking became evident. Subsequently, the network expanded to 21 members, NGO’s and local government departments working in the field of peace building, conflict management, youth development, women’s empowerment, community development and social transformation. Discussions within and outside the network revealed the necessity to critically look at the role tertiary institutions play in the field of conflict transformation and peace building. This issue was addressed at the International Seminar on the Role of Universities in Conflict Transformation, Reconstruction and Peace-Building at the University of the Western Cape as part of the Nelson Mandela Seminar series in 2005. No less than 65 representatives from 18 nations, from African and international universities, government and civil society organisations involved in the field of conflict resolution explored the role tertiary institutions can play in the area of conflict transformation and peace building in Africa and beyond. Amongst the numerous outcomes of the seminar was the call for linking up practitioners with institutions and government to broaden their research base, training and field work opportunities and to enhance the capacity of community leaders. A special focus was also placed on youth participation in community development and peace building efforts. After the Nelson Mandela seminar the network further expanded and currently consists of 29 affiliated member organisations with the support of three government departments, the University of the Western Cape as a tertiary institution as well as the City of Cape Town. The objectives of the Network are: Building conflict resolution and peace building capacity in civil society by analysing training needs and increasing the standard of service delivery of these organisations. Linkages and partnerships with other service providers, government departments, academic institutions and organisations in these areas will help establish best practice models, standardised and accredited training material and agreed service standards. The building of stronger relationships between civil society, academic institutions and government. This will help with identifying areas of conflict, community challenges and development issues within their respective areas and allowing for streamlining government and civil society’s responses as well as opening up greater opportunities for cooperation between the groups. Added to this, civil society can also provide an early warning service with regard to potential conflict issues and areas. The building of a good relationship between civil society and the media. The active exchange of ideas, approaches and work experience in the field. Joint initiatives such as community initiatives, youth programmes including sport, training, research etc. Perceived outcomes include: The establishment and support of a provincial network for organisations, academic institutions and government who strive for community peace and development. Accessing service providers through the network who can provide training, mediation, advocacy or any other support with regard to community peace and development. Mobilising communities to address issues of service delivery, human rights issues, poverty, gang violence, youth at risk, and political conflicts as well as providing a platform and forum where civil society, communities and government can find joint solutions. Promotion of unconventional methods such as multicultural sport programmes to address conflict transformation and peace building at the community level. Providing advocacy and awareness work through the media, election monitoring and commenting on legislation affecting our communities. Gathering of new, reliable and useful ways to train and empower our respective members so that that they become highly skilled in their field of service delivery. Providing seminars and forums to discuss areas of interest and build stronger networks and relationships amongst similar organisations. The common values and concepts of the network members are recognised in its binding principles. They include empowerment, youth development, peace building, conflict management, democracy, sustainable development, human dignity, diversity, integrity, transparency, accountability and non-discrimination. These common values and concepts and the will to create conflict-free and sustainable communities provide a platform for the network activities. One of the activities of the Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development which addresses these principles and focuses on conflict transformation and peace-building at the community level is its Kicking for Peace programme. The Kicking for Peace Programme Sport and development is one of the focus areas of the Network as many member organisations have been using sport, and in particular, soccer as a tool for youth development and crime prevention in their respective areas for years. The Network members therefore started the Kicking for Peace programme as a Network Initiative in October 2006. The aims of the Kicking for Peace programme are to promote peace and development and social transformation through recreational soccer training and soccer tournaments for boys and girls in various formerly segregated communities in the Western Cape where no or few extra-mural programmes or recreational activities are taking place and sport clubs are a rarity. An additional focus of Kicking for Peace is to use soccer training and the tournaments as tools to teach life skills such as conflict transformation, communication, problem solving and leadership among others as well as promote health and well-being. ”With the prospect of the Soccer World Cup 2010 we are convinced it will be of utmost importance to include the children and parents in these communities to benefit and be part of this global happening and develop sustainable change beyond this event. Therefore, the initiative aims to offer soccer and life skills training for children who are not able to join clubs and train youth to become soccer coaches.” (Marius Bluemel, network member and Kicking for Peace event organiser). Since 2006, the programme has expanded from five to seven communities in the Western Cape and around 1000 boys and girls aged 9 to 14 are practicing every week with young soccer coaches who are sport and recreation students of the University of the Western Cape. During each holiday a different community hosts a Kicking for Peace tournament for over 400 young people, inviting children and their families to cross formerly insurmountable community boundaries and to spend time with and learn from each other. The Kicking for Peace programme is an example of a successful cooperation of multiple partners from civil society, government and tertiary institutions engaging with local communities and youth, using soccer as a tool for social transformation, peace-building and development. Research Research has shown that South Africans seem to believe in the potential of sport in conflict transformation, peace building, social transformation and development, especially on the community level. Formal and informal discussions with members of the Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development, with students of Sport and Community Development at the University of the Western Cape and with sports administrators over the past three years revealed that, if administered properly, sport is seen as a potential and manifold benefit to South African communities. The following areas of impact were identified: Sport as a means for mobilisation and communication Sport as a means to promote health and education Sport as a means for training and social mobility Sport as a means for crime prevention Sport as a means for inclusion of all members of community as well as inclusion of sometimes neglected groups such as the disabled, women and street children Sports as a means for empowerment and personal development Sport as means for social transformation Sport as means to improve infrastructure, create business opportunities and employment Sport as means for conflict transformation, social integration and bridge building to overcome cultural, ethnic, religious, social, economical and political divides Sport as means for democracy and peace building: fostering of non-violence, fair competition, teamwork and respect, understanding, unity, tolerance and peaceful-coexistence (Keim, 2006: 97). Over the last three decades research by various international sport and government agencies and authors such as Coakley (1978:106), Harms (1982:7), Vogler & Schwartz (1993), Jarvie & Maguire (1994:2), Swanepoel (1997:2-10), Allison (2000:53), The Magglingen Call to Action (2003), SDC (2005) and Vanden Auweele et al (Eds) (2006) have reflected these outcomes. However, I believe there is a lack of international, national and local research and qualitative and quantitative assessment to ensure that (internationally) stated social and transformational goals for sport, peace building and community development are met. In addition I would argue that there is a lack of inclusion of civil society organisations and community members in the research process. Therefore, the Network for Community Peace and Development has embarked on a participatory process of research and investigation that involves network members increasing their own capacity and capabilities at formulating and conducting research projects. The research project which accompanies the Kicking for Peace programme aims to critically examine the potential role and use of sport as a local tool for social transformation, development and peace building in the Western Cape, South Africa. With a strong developmental and cross-cultural emphasis, the project aims at promoting a holistic educational process which will generate greater awareness and understanding of the complexities of using sport as a vehicle toward peace building and social transformation. Project Objectives and Strategies The research project is a longitudinal study, its objectives are: to form a collaborative community research team consisting of civil society organisations, community members, academics and youth as direct beneficiaries that jointly undertake the research to look at theoretical and practical approaches to sport and social transformation with a specific focus on the Western Cape and its various communities to develop a joint understanding for the complexity of using sport as a tool for social transformation, peace building and development at local, national and international levels to explore the potential of sport for promoting human rights, children’s rights, gender equity, human diversity and social inclusion to examine the requisite conceptual and management context if sport is to make a positive contribution to health, education, conflict prevention and social transformation, reconstruction and development in South African communities to look at the challenges facing sport in promoting peace and international understanding to understand community development, social integration and nation-building as an ongoing process. Methodology As sport is not only a physical activity but creates a space where people interact socially, and it is maintained that sport and leisure activities form an integral part of social life in all communities, intricately linked to society and politics (Jarvie and Maguire 1994: p2). Therefore it was felt that interested network members as well as the youth and their coaches should be part of the evaluation process and of the research team, becoming familiar with community research using focus groups, interviews, questionnaires and observation as the main research methods. A needs analysis showed that all of the communities that the Network represents are in need of healthy extra mural recreational sport programmes. A weekly pilot training was conducted in 2 communities with 100 children, 50 boys and 50 girls. The coaches together with the children evaluated the successes and challenges of their programmes and handed in written reports to the Network sports committee representatives consisting of NGO and university members. After two months of training two other communities were included with an additional 200 children. Monthly training reports conducted by the coaches with 300 participants gave first indications of the success but also of the challenges regarding the project. Research Outcomes to Date The following needs were identified by the children, coaches and NGO’s as outcome of their evaluation of the programme: Need to provide nutrition for the children as many come without food and drinks to the training Need for the provision of soccer kits and balls as well as soccer goals as the equipment and the facilities were unsatisfactory Need for the provision of transport to the tournaments Need for the involvement of multilingual coaches Need for honoraria and transport for the coaches Request for coaching training for community youth Request for life skills and leadership programmes The evaluation research identified additional community needs and amongst others, these included: Growing awareness that sport/ soccer initiatives are communal programmes, programmes which create joy and bring people closer together, programmes where individuals and groups from all parts of society and from all parts of communities can contribute, feel proud, accepted, respected as equals and play on the same team Any joint community initiative requires trust and relationship building. The likelihood of any success is reduced in the absence of a minimal restoration of relationships in a community. Empathy and understanding, moral outrage or remorse is often not sufficient to restore the basis of a sustainable co-existence between fragmented communities. The need for seminars, workshops on the role of tertiary institutions, government and civil society in using sport as a tool for social transformation and peace building and development. Personal and communal relationships take time to restore and develop. They are dependent on trust building, barriers of separation being removed and people getting to know one another. The outcomes reflected that if appropriate, well established and participant-related mechanisms are put in place, soccer seems to be a unique tool to assist us to get to know each other better and can certainly be a healthy recreational activity for youth. To address the issue of the sustainability of skills and training of coaches the participating civil society organisations were asked to identify 4 to 5 youth, parents or teachers who are actively involved in the community of the NGOs or in youth projects to participate in a three day coaching workshop accredited by the South African Football Association (SAFA). This first coaching workshop was held in September 2007 for 30 potential soccer coaches from all participating communities. They were players, parents and teachers. After completing the workshop, the successful participants were expected to serve a minimum of 30 hours in their NGOs or CBOs (community based organisation) before they could apply via their NGOs or CBOs for the follow up coaching course. The vision is to expand the Kicking for Peace programme to other communities so that by 2010, South Africa will be a nation that appreciates the value of sport as a tool for social transformation, peace building and development. Conclusion There is a world wide growing interest in sport as a means for peace building, social transformation and development by national and international governmental and non-governmental organisations and the United Nations as the global need for peace building activities is greater than ever. Africa and South Africa are no exception. With the upcoming Soccer World Cup there are growing expectations on the impact of sport on various spheres of the country itself and the continent. Numerous and wide ranging efforts and initiatives of NGOs, CBOs, tertiary institutions and government departments are dealing with community peace building, social transformation and youth development. Some of them use sport as a tool. The challenge for many of these efforts is very often meaningful collaboration and sustainability. This paper describes a unique South African model of a coordinated approach of a multi-stakeholder collaboration consisting of government, tertiary institution and civil society using sport as a tool for peace building and community development, the Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development and its Kicking for Peace programme. The strength of this particular collaboration lies in its common values, regular exchange, mutual assistance and joint initiatives as a Network. In addition, continuous participatory research is a core component of its Kicking for Peace programme to assess how recreational sport at the community level can be used effectively for development, reconciliation and peace building. To have a meaningful impact on the social fabric of South Africa, to create awareness for sport and in particular soccer as a “Beacon of Hope,” networks like the Western Cape Network for Community Peace and Development are crucial. The author therefore hopes that the network will have a multiplier effect for other provinces and other countries and become a model for social transformation and peace building on the grassroots level. Given the popularity of soccer in South African and African communities, the challenge for all of us is to use the Soccer World Cup 2010 to create awareness for peace building and social transformation in South Africa, Africa and beyond. Coordinated efforts such as the Network for Community Peace and Development can assist in these efforts. References Allison, L. (Ed.) (2000). Taking sport seriously, Meyer & Meyer Sport. 2nd Edition, Oxford: UK. Coakley, J.J. (1998). Sport in Society : Issues and Controversies , (6th ed.). St. Louis. pp 87-117 and 248-288 Coakley, J.J. (1990). Sport in society - issues and controversies: Intergroup relations. Is sport a model of racial and ethnic harmony? (4th ed.) pp. 203-223. St. Louis. Harms, H. (1982). 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Contact Prof. Dr. Marion Keim, LLB University of the western Cape Cape Town, South Africa Email: mkeim@uwc.ac.za http://www.icsspe.org/portal/index.php?w=1&z=5 A Coordinated Approach for Using Sport as a Tool for Peace-Building and Social Transformation in South Africa Marion Keim