Around the world, millions of youth are born into conditions that rob them of access to core developmental needs: basic health care and nutrition, a loving home, stimulation for body and mind, and a sense of belonging. Whether it is grinding poverty, racism, or war that puts these rights out of reach, the experience of sport and play can begin to rebuild a youth's shattered world.
Through team sports, individual physical challenges, and community play, youth can regain a sense of optimism, learn conflict resolution and other life skills, tap into their own abilities, and cultivate self-esteem. Sport clearly has a role to play in effectively addressing issues confronting youth. However, there are obstacles to realizing its full potential as a tool for social change, and to advancing the field of sport for social change as a whole.
This mosaic illustrates how Ashoka Fellows have explored the fields of sport and play as antidotes to a variety of social ills; it also provides a gap analysis of current efforts to address the obstacles associated with advancing the field of sport for social change, and a foundation upon which the next generation of social entrepreneurs in the field of sport for social change can build.
Few effective tools for personal improvement. In marginalized societies, there are few resources or opportunities to address the difficult challenges of personal development and growth. Many people have no access to change because of how their society is structured.
Stereotyping that excludes. Populations marginalized because of entrenched social norms such as gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, age, or disability are often excluded by other youth in informal play, and they are overlooked by play programs. These stereotypes exist outside of and inside the world of sport.
Sports are trivialized. Sport can teach life skills as well as—or more effectively than—textbook lessons, yet it is not incorporated into many school systems and youth programs. Moreover, sport can also be used effectively as a tool for mobilization, social cohesion, and personal development. Yet sport is frequently considered merely frivolous recreation. Professionals responsible for social services, education, and development rarely think of sport as a tool in their toolbox of approaches to address various social ills confronting young people.
Lack of "safe spaces." Young people often do not have access to the infrastructure of childhood—the space to be children that is a necessity for growth and development. Sometimes these places do not exist at all, which is common for youth living in poverty, or else they do not have access to the places due to an atmosphere of violence or intolerance. Sport cannot be leveraged as a tool for addressing social challenges if this basic building block is not accessible.
The world of sport is tainted. The world of sport is perceived as corrupt, over-commercialized, and often perpetuating negative messages due to fan behavior, excessive competitiveness, and exclusion. Sport's power for change is under-publicized and underutilized, and the prevailing perception sometimes deters the social sector from reaching out to engage the sport sector.
Leverage the fun factor. Sport is a means to an end. It can serve as a vehicle for social messages, information, and services. Coupling sport programs with health services, academics, or job training increases the odds that kids will take advantage of those opportunities.
Use sport to build character. Sport can teach, model, and provide the opportunity to experience life lessons such as rules and consequences, resilience, self-discipline, conflict resolution, and initiative.
Include through sport. Sport can be an equalizer. Including those who are often excluded—due to gender, class, handicap, or race—in sport activities can be a path to broader acceptance, tolerance, and self-esteem off the field. Sport and play provide easy access to social participation.
Social cohesion. Sport can spark a connection among whole communities, spawning civic pride and a sense of identity. Sport has the power to change outdated perceptions, mobilize communities around issues, and lead to concrete action.
Sara Diestro (Peru) uses soccer to entice disadvantaged kids to take advantage of medical and nutritional services
Atuki Turner (Uganda) fights violence against women by challenging traditions such as "bride price" and teaching self-defense and karate
Jonny Gevisser (South Africa) is creating regionally-based extra-curricular arts and sports centers to complement schools
Piroska Horváth (Hungary) has designed a sports championship program to provide alternatives to drug abuse and other destructive activities
Jürgen Griesbeck (Germany) is building a global network of citizen organizations using soccer for change to improve their impact and connect with professional sports.
Haidy Duque (Colombia) uses the dance/sport of capoeira to engage indigenous people in building self-esteem and community.
Vishal Talreja (India) uses sports to integrate orphans, HIV-positive kids, and street children with affluent youth to spur emotional growth and bridge disparities.
Darell Hammond (United States) has sparked a movement of community-built playgrounds in underprivileged areas.
Iqbal Sabery (Bangladesh) has designed a rural after-school program for children to take charge of their free time to contribute to their communities.
