Bridging research, policy and practice

Attendees identified current challenges and opportunities in the field of sport for development and peace (SDP).

A need for clear communication
Challenges included the revisiting and reinvention of SDP research and programming. Related to this challenge is the need for an avenue of communication between governments, organisations, corporations, programmers, researchers and academics.

Measuring effective programming
Another topic of discussion included the ‘measurement and evaluation’ of impact. There seems to be a need for further discourse on and use of effective evaluation methods. Many corporations or organisations rely on numbers as a means to show effectiveness. However, programmers struggle with this method because a high number doesn’t necessarily mean that there is quality programming or that the programme is having a lasting impact.

Many governments and organisations are also using buzzwords such as “empower” and “sustainability” but there aren't solid practices to measure if programme participants are empowered, or if programmes are truly sustainable.

Finally, the discourse did indicate that there is also some inconsistency, varied approaches to measurement, evaluation and tools, which also needs examination.

In summary, recommendations include:

• Further develop an empowered and sustainable SDP collective for academics and practitioners to share information regarding programme development, measurement and evaluation, best practices, and core competencies.
• Increase communication between academics, practitioners, governments, and organisations committed to SDP.
• Develop a survey for researchers and practitioners to further identify the needs and opportunities to foster and develop the collective.
• Strengthen measurement and evaluation practices.
• Develop, establish and promote “codes of conduct” for SDP organisations and related NGO’s as well as for academics working in this area – particularly those with associated “in-field” experiences.

It is a collective hope that progress toward these recommendations will be made by the Forum held in 2015.