As a global sports for good organization, it’s vital that PeacePlayers operates intentionally within the global development space. That means making sure to align our goals and impact with other crucial efforts around the globe. In this vein, they wholeheartedly adopt the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to keep programs relevant to global currents. The Stevens Initiative-supported “Enhancing Global Connections and Capacity Through Virtual Learning“ is no exemption, which aims to use virtual tools to make positive strides towards achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Through Enhancing Global Connections, a new initiative launched in partnership with the Stevens Initiative (housed at the Aspen Institute and supported by the Bezos Family Foundation), PeacePlayers will provide over 1,000 young people around the world with high-quality virtual training in conflict resolution, community engagement, leadership, wellness and activism. Enhancing Global Connections seeks to also go beyond youth programming by offering virtual capacity building for PeacePlayers coaches and practitioners from other organizations in the sport for development sector. But where do the SDGs come in?

Enhancing Global Connections creates access to expert lecturers, mentors and international networking without having to leave one’s home. This increases inclusion for historically divested communities in our sites: Israel, Northern Ireland, the Palestinian Territories, South Africa, and the United States, (SDG 10).

Moreover, each of the communities where we work have faced a long history of conflict and division – global virtual connections are a prime opportunity for experience sharing and learning, creating grassroots solutions for more peaceful societies. The partnership component of the project is designed to create a cohesive, high-capacity sports for good global community, strengthening institutions that are invested in creating safer, more thriving societies.(SDG 16). Project modules like Gamification teach creative, fun ways to tackle conflict and other tough issues.

Hear from stakeholders on the value of Enhancing Global Connections and Capacity Through Virtual Learning in advancing the SDGs!

Regarding gender equality, at least 50% of the beneficiaries of Peace Players’ virtual programs are girls and women, as is the project’s leadership and curriculum development teams, who lead by example. Gender equality is embedded in each of our modules, and maintaining coeducational programming under female leadership is designed to cultivate all genders toward the fight for equality (SDG 5). 

And last but not least, as a sport for development organization, sports and movement are rooted in every aspect of the program, as are mental health and wellness (SDG 3).

Learn more about Enhancing Global Connections here. Explore the fall 2024 Breakouts campaign to discover how other institutions are also using the power of virtual exchange to drive progress towards global goals.