The Commonwealth Guide to Advancing Development through Sport

In the last two decades the use of sport within development and peace work has gained increased profile and credibility. Today sport is recognised at the local and international levels as a tool that, if well planned and effectively delivered, can contribute to beneficial social change. This Guide has been produced by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS) to provide support for governments and other key stakeholders seeking to strengthen the contribution of sport to development and peace work. The guide acknowledges both the value and complexity of using sport in development and peace work and recommends key principles to maximise sport's contribution and minimise possible negative consequences. Section I provides an evidence-based analysis of the contribution of sport to development objectives, and examines six policy domains in which sport can contribute to development: youth, health, education, gender, diversity, and peace-building. Section II provides a framework for analysis, planning and monitoring of sport in development and peace work. The framework is a practical tool that offers detailed guidelines for policy options, strategic approaches and implementation mechanisms. The Guide is supported throughout by appropriate references to policy statements and research evidence. It also includes several examples of current initiatives worldwide that illustrate how sport can be applied in support of development and peace.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Acknowledgments 1. Introduction SECTION I. THE CONTRIBUTION OF SPORT TO DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES 2. Sport in Development Work and Peace-building 2.1 The potential of sport to contribute 2.2 Adopting sport as a tool in development and peace 2.3 The growth of sport in development and peace work 2.4 The positive use of sport 2.5 Delivering effective sport interventions 3. Using Sport to Advance Development Objectives 3.1 Development and peace, the Commonwealth context 3.2 Defining sport 3.2 Principles for using sport to advance development and peace 3.2.1 Principles to strengthen sport-based approaches and connect them to established policy domains within Commonwealth development work 3.2.2 Principles to maximise positive outcomes and minimise negative consequences 4. Advancing Youth Development through Sport 4.1 Policy priorities 4.2 How sport can contribute 4.3 Case study examples 5. Advancing Health through Sport 5.1 Policy priorities 5.2 How sport can contribute 5.3 Case study examples 6. Advancing Goals for Education through Sport 6.1 Policy priorities 6.2 How sport can contribute 6.3 Case study examples 7. Advancing Gender Equality through Sport 7.1 Policy priorities 7.2 How sport can contribute 7.3 Case study examples 8. Advancing Equality and Inclusion through Sport 8.1 Policy priorities 8.2 How sport can contribute 8.3 Case study examples 9. Advancing Peace and Stability through Sport 9.1 Policy priorities 9.2 How sport can contribute 9.3 Case study examples SECTION II. A FRAMEWORK FOR ADVANCING DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMONWEALTH THROUGH SPORT 10. Guidance for Analysing, Planning and Monitoring SDP 10.1 Framework functions 10.2 Using the framework 11. Framework Part 1: Development Objectives and Stakeholders 11.1 Primary development objectives 11.2 Policy domains 11.3 Stakeholders and actors 12. Framework Part 2: Policy, Strategy and Support Mechanisms 12.1 Overview of principles for strengthening the contribution of sport to development objectives 12.2 Principle 1: Upholding the Commonwealth's shared values and commitment to promoting development, democracy and diversity 12.3 Principle 2: Leveraging sustainable, quality and on-going sport activity to deliver intentionally planned development interventions 12.4 Principle 3: Integration with the development sector in support of development priorities 12.5 Principle 4: Fully accessible programming ensuring leaders and participants are safeguarded at all times, in particular children and those vulnerable to gender-based violence 12.6 Principle 5: Decentralised delivery with community ownership 12.7 Principle 6: Evidence-based programming, monitoring and evaluation Authors and contributors Notes References

About the Author :
Professor Tess Kay is an international expert in Sport for Development and Peace. Oliver Dudfield is Sport Development Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

Review :
'This Guide, prepared by the Commonwealth Secretariat, will enable member governments take development through sport to the next step. It is both an intelligent digest of the research and 'best practices' of the interventions of the last two decades, and wise, succinct advice to governments about how they can frame inclusive, workable policies and plan, conduct, and monitor and evaluate accessible, effective programmes. It will prove of enormous benefit to governments and decision-makers.' GlobalPANet, September 2013