International Sport for Development and Peace Association (ISDPA) launched to leverage collective wealth of knowledge about the role of sport in society
(2-8-10) Boston, Mass. – Recognizing the need for a professional association to further develop and exchange information, knowledge, and inspiration about sport for development and peace, “Sport in Society”, a Northeastern University Centre based in the USA, is pleased to announce the establishment of the International Sport for Development and Peace Association (ISDPA). The ISDPA was launched to leverage collective wealth of knowledge about the role of sport in society.
Supported by the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP), the ISDPA is welcomed as a timely development within the sport for development and peace movement. As expressed by the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace, Mr. Wilfried Lemke, “The Association will assist us in our global efforts to establish sport for development and peace as a recognized, accepted and credible discipline grounded on scientific facts that prove the value of sport within society”.
The ISDPA will serve as a framework to foster the intersection of research, policy and practice and will support the development of regional and national association structures. The ISDPA will coordinate evidence-based research and data from field-based evaluation that is relevant to support policy developments within the United Nations Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group (SDP IWG). The focus areas for the ISDPA are directly aligned with the work of the SDP IWG, namely in the areas of youth, health, peace, disability, gender and human rights. In doing so, the ISDPA will support quality academic and field-based research through a rigorous peer-review process while also obtaining the long-term involvement and commitment from an array of individual experts from diverse professions and backgrounds.
With its 25 years of work and relationship building within the field of sport and social change, “Sport in Society” will serve as the Secretariat of the ISDPA to help facilitate research, policy and programmatic activities of the ISDPA.
The first gathering of the ISDPA will be at the ISDPA Power of Sport Summit to be held 10-12 June 2010 at Northeastern University in Boston, MA, USA. The Summit is designed to be an interactive meeting to define and address both current and emerging issues involving the intersection of sport and social change. This year’s theme is “Sport for Development and Peace: Defining the Field through Theory and Practice” with the objective of generating discussion and presenting strategies that focus on what is working, what is possible, and what important actions are needed to help advance sport for development and peace. Experts in the fields of research, education, outreach and advocacy are encouraged to unite to celebrate, reinvigorate and advance this very important work.
The ISDPA is pleased to invite proposals for presentations and workshops at the ISDPA Power of Sport Summit. To submit proposals and find out more about the ISDPA Power of Sport Summit as well as how to register and become a member of ISDPA, please visit the ISDPA website at http://www.isdpaonline.org
About Sport in Society, a Northeastern University Center
Sport in Society is the world’s leading social justice organization that uses sport to create social change. The flagship organization located in the heart of Boston, Mass. was founded in 1984 by Dr. Richard Lapchick. Through research, education, and advocacy the center works locally, nationally, and internationally to promote physical activity, health, violence prevention, and diversity among young people, adults, and college and professional athletes. Sport in Society’s innovative programs are all staffed by former college, Olympic, or professional athletes and has been awarded America’s most successful violence prevention program by Lou Harris, the Peter F. Drucker Award as the most innovative non-profit program in the social sector. Visit Sport in Society at www.sportinsociety.org for more information.