Expert meeting on the first massive open online course on sport for development and peace

On 24-25 June, the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur hosted a group of 16 experts who met to provide feedback on the content of a mass open online course (MOOC) on sport for development and peace. The MOOC is currently being developed by sportanddev, the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Australian Government.

Professor Dr. Kamila Ghazali, the university’s deputy vice-chancellor, welcomed the group and emphasised the university’s interest in sport for development and peace (SDP): “I am looking forward to our students using the MOOC and learning about SDP, which can also bring change to Malaysia.”

The group was composed of experts from NGOs, public authorities, universities, sport organisations, Olympic committees, federations and international organisations from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific. The group was joined virtually by experts from Latin America and other regions.

Ytannia Wiggins from the Barbados Olympic Association said, “I wish such an instrument had been available when I started working with sport. The course covers all important topics to give a solid overview about the field.”

The experts shared their views on the structure and content of the MOOC including activities and assessment opportunities, but also on marketing and communication strategies to promote the MOOC. Their feedback will now be integrated into the content.

The course will be piloted in August 2019, which will provide the next opportunity to give feedback. The MOOC, which will be formally launched later in 2019, is currently designed as a five-week course for government ministries and officials, sport organisations and civil society. It provides expertise and knowledge to maximise the contribution of sport to development and peace.