https://www.sportanddev.org/en/article/news/call-articles-reshaping-spor...
The International Platform on Sport and Development (sportanddev), with a range of global partners, has launched a campaign on Reshaping Sport and Development. This global movement aims to sustain and strengthen the sport for development sector and address existing inequities.
Our countries and communities have always been unequal. However, COVID-19 has increased inequities, with marginalised groups and individuals being worst affected. At the same time, the sport and development sector is itself unequal. Women, people with disabilities, people in low- and middle-income countries, ethnic minorities and other marginalised groups are underrepresented in leadership positions, and they have less influence on policy and decision making. This is not an exhaustive list and there are many inequities across cultures and contexts.
This campaign aims to increase equity, access and inclusion in sport and development. This will improve collaboration between organisations and increase the recognition of sport’s role in development. It will also improve sport’s impact and contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other priorities. There is a need to reshape sport to better serve all in society – leaving no-one behind – and demonstrate the contribution of sport and physical activity at this critical time, including in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more about the campaign | Find out how to join the campaign
Call for articles
sportanddev is launching a call for articles on reshaping sport and development. We aim to make this the biggest and most impactful call for articles ever hosted by sportanddev.
We welcome submissions on a range of topics and questions such as:
- How can we address existing inequities in sport and development?
- How can we ensure that sport and development is more diverse, accessible and inclusive?
- How can we ensure that marginalised groups and regions have a greater voice?
- How can sport better serve society and contribute more effectively to development and peace?
- How can sport better tackle issues of discrimination, including racism and gender equity?
- What is the role of good governance? How can sport actors be more accountable?
- How can sport better contribute to the SDGs, including specific goals and targets?
- Can we better measure the value of sport and development initiatives? How?
- Can sport be used to respond to crises such as COVID-19 and the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine (among many others)?
- What is the role of sport in tackling the climate crisis?
- What have been the learnings and challenges for the sport and development sector during the COVID-19 crisis? How can these provide better direction to the sector in the future?
- How can sport improve the mental health and wellbeing of societies, which has been particularly affected by COVID-19?
- How can sport and development initiatives use digital literacy and online mediums to better support their work? What role does technology play in this regard?
- How do the different forms of sport (e.g. elite vs. grassroots) play their part?
NB: These are simply guiding questions and are by no means exhaustive. We welcome any submissions that relate to the topic of Reshaping Sport and Development, across thematic areas.
Reimagining Sport and Development
In 2020, sportanddev coordinated efforts to reimagine sport and development. Now is the time to move from reimagining to reshaping sport and development – from vision to action.
We received 55 articles from across the globe in 2020 related to Reimagining Sport and Development. You can view all these here and the webinar recording here. We also produced a report which identifies 10 key themes that emerged from the articles. You are welcome to use the articles and report as inspiration. We are looking to build on the findings of the 2020 report to identify concrete actions that organisations in the sector can work on collaboratively.
Submission guidelines
Articles should:
- Be 500-1,000 words, though shorter or longer articles may be considered
- Include a relevant photo in landscape (horizontal) orientation, for which you own the copyright, or is subject to some form of creative commons licence. If you do not have a picture, we will attempt to source one
- Include a 1-2 sentence biography of the author/s
- Include links to any social media accounts you would like associated with the post
- Include links to any websites you would like linked in your article
For more information and advice, view our article guidelines
Articles in English should be submitted to Tariqa Tandon: tandon@sa4d.org (see below under “frequently asked questions” for information on other available languages).
Deadline: 18 July 2022
Frequently asked questions
Who can contribute?
We encourage individuals and organisations across the globe to contribute, regardless of size and stature. We recognise the importance of ALL perspectives. We acknowledge the importance of ensuring groups and regions that are underrepresented in sport and development are able to contribute – we encourage and celebrate diversity.
We welcome submissions from a range of stakeholders. These include but are not limited to: practitioners, policymakers, students, athletes, scholars, public sector officials, non-profit organisations, multilateral actors as well as broader civil society and the private sector.
We welcome submissions from organisations in sport for development, the broader sport sector and the broader humanitarian and development space. Anyone concerned with the use of sport to contribute to development is encouraged to contribute.
What language can I submit my article in?
We recognise that language limits access to resources and participation in sport and development discussions. Given this, sportanddev and partners have raised resources to support this call for articles in four official United Nations languages – English, French, Spanish and Arabic – for the first time ever. We may add the option of Mandarin (Chinese) and Russian (the other two official UN languages) in the future, if resources become available.
Can I submit an audio or video recording instead of a written article?
We would like to offer this but for the time being we are asking for written inputs. We may make available the option for audio and video submissions in the future. You are of course welcome to promote the campaign with audio and video via social media – and feel free to tag sportanddev.
Can I link to other initiatives?
Of course. Articles can synthesise existing work, contain original analysis or both.
What will happen to the submitted articles?
All relevant articles in English, French, Spanish and Arabic will be published on sportanddev.org and promoted on social media. We will analyse the articles received and compile a comprehensive report with key themes and insights. We will also host an interactive webinar following the call and will conduct community consultations.
Find out more about all the campaign activities and deliverables here
Partners
We are grateful to the founding partners of the campaign without whom this would not have been possible. We also acknowledge the in-kind contributions and the support of many other actors.
For more information on joining as a partner of the campaign, please contact:
Dr Ben Sanders, Senior Consultant, sportanddev: sanders@sa4d.org
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