Sport, Cultural Relations and the Peacebuilding

The report examines the use of sport as an enabler of cultural relations and peacebuilding in the 21st century. It evidences the linkages between sport, culture and peacebuilding. It asserts that sport matters, has scale, is a pillar of connectivity, and is an invaluable tool but also that those involved with cultural relations and peacebuilding need to be smarter about how, when, and where to use sport. The essay identifies sport as a unique exemplar of a globally powerful, yet locally adaptive, community embedded implementation tool that can add value to cultural relations and peacebuilding. The research is cautious about grand claims. A credible way forward requires at least four elements: (i) mutual respect for sport as culture, (ii) additional reach including to marginalized communities (iii) evidence of effectiveness and (iv) potential for growth and scaled up cultural solutions. The essay encourages national institutes for culture, sports organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that use sport to recognise the value in a cultural relations approach as they seek to integrate the contribution of sport to enable peace, stability, and development in fragile contexts and communities.