Chances are that you’re on this site because, like us, you’re convinced that sport can make a difference. And that belief will have been inspired by an experience. Maybe a split-second one, maybe a career-long one. It could be at the most elite level of a sport, or at its most amateur. The point is that in an infinite number of ways, sport has changed all our lives. The question is: how and when did sport do it for you?

A few months ago, before Hamas rockets flew through the sky and Israeli forces forged into Gaza, a mixed football team of Palestinian and Israeli girls started playing weekly. Before Gaza City shuddered and then collapsed under constant explosions; before the conflict multiplied and spun abroad, this group of girls from 12 to 16 years old – ages when they are just beginning to shape opinions about the world, about those around them – played on a team made up of different backgrounds, different beliefs, different upbringings. They practiced teamwork by trusting each other, passing the ball and ensuring support. They developed communication skills, speaking to each other on the field, calling out for help with the ball, shouting out encouragement. They learned how similar they were, and yet how different.
There is no doubt that people’s lives in the Middle East have been deeply wounded by what has been happening over the past weeks – whether it has impacted them personally, or a family member or a neighbour. And it hasn’t solely scarred those in the Middle East: the conflict has spread around the world, seeping into people’s lives from Europe to America.
However, while the media have been working to spread the drama and governing bodies have been talking in abstract and broad terms, there are projects – like this football team started by Peres Center For Peace – that are striving to work with the individual, the people who are actually living in this conflict every day. The projects seek to open people’s minds (instead of convince them their side is right), and teach the lessons of acceptance (instead of isolation and extremism).
A leading force in this effort is Generations For Peace, which brings youth leaders from divided communities together, giving them training programmes and implementing sporting projects to teach them leadership, tolerance, peace education, and politics, among many other lessons. The GFP’s symbol (a dove made up of thin, sweeping bands of colour) acts as a sign – a call to others – to promote peace and education in these conflicted areas.
Another programme on this path is PeacePlayers International – Middle East, using sport to promote peace in an area where, tragically, inherent beliefs and lessons have taught children otherwise. Karen Doubilet, the programme’s managing director, said it’s at times like these, during the Middle East’s darkest days, when projects like PeacePlayers feel they have an even greater responsibility to complete their mission: to teach Palestinian and Israeli children that for peace to be possible in the future, it is their job to work together in the present.
‘Business does not go on as usual in the Middle East,’ Karen said. ‘Given our location, our work demands that we constantly adapt, yet one thing remains consistent: PPI-ME provides a safe and secure outlet where all children, regardless of religion, gender, nationality, or colour, are treated equally and have the chance to play. Especially in times of political crisis, we are reminded that our main goal is to let children be children and give them hope.’
The projects started by PeacePlayers, Generations For Peace, and Peres, like the girls football team, may not solely mend the painful gash in the Middle East. But they have provided sport as a tool – a common language that can be understood by both Muslim and Jew, Arab and Israeli, kids living in Tel Aviv and young adults from Jordan.
As a ceasefire delicately hangs above this conflict, projects like the girls’ football team give us hope. These girls still play, and will keep playing – on one team. Perhaps in the future, those on either side of this struggle – Palestinian and Israeli alike – will follow in these girls’ footsteps.

Though this sport-for-good community is incredibly global (projects range from the rural areas of Nepal to villages in South Africa to towns in Latin America) it’s also one that can seem very small. Many of these projects work together, or have heard of one another. This interconnectedness is partly a result of the many online forums provided by organisations whose sole goal is to promote, connect and spread the word about how to better society through sport. Sport And Development Platform, OptimistWorld, and StreetFootballWorld are among the multiple networking systems giving a voice to those who have genuine missions, but nowhere to express their views and goals.

The International Platform on Sport and Development is entirely dedicated to joining together those using sport as a tool for development so that they can enhance their reputation, credibility, and effectiveness. You can write your own articles, posts, and comments about different events going on in the world of sport-for-good; you can sign up to receive constant updates; and you can connect with other projects with similar missions.
Register by visiting http://www.sportanddev.org/index.cfm.

OptimistWorld is a colourful, eye-grabbing news site about all things in the social-good/charity/nonprofit sector. While not focused on sport – like the above platform – it has a specific jumping tab that takes you to a section dedicated to the subject in the third sector. From inspirational stories to the latest events and news, the site brings all ‘optimistic’ issues to the fore - and reveals just how much good stuff is going on out there.
Go here for the sports segment: http://www.optimistworld.com/Sports.aspx.

StreetFootballWorld is one of those organisations that are both a physical project (holding events and supporting efforts all over the globe) and a network. Along with a constantly updated bulletin board – that announces awards, events, and searches for volunteers – it works as a concrete connector between initiatives. StreetFootballWorld is now comprised of 70 local projects worldwide working with governments, businesses and NGOs to provide advice on development, investment and business strategy.
Check out their site and contact them with any announcements that have to do with tackling social challenges through sport: www.streetfootballworld.org.