New Spanish-English resource book "Sport for Development and Peace in Iberoamerica"

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Edited by Simona Šafaříková and Claudia Fernanda Rojas, the book brings together scholars and practitioners from different countries and disciplines to examine both theoretical debates and practical experiences of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP).

A central aim of the book is to strengthen the visibility of Ibero-American perspectives within a field that has historically been dominated by English-language scholarship. The editors explicitly seek to challenge unequal power relations in academia by creating space for research produced in Spanish and Portuguese and by highlighting experiences that are often overlooked in international debates. For this reason, the book is intentionally multilingual. Chapters are written in the languages chosen by the authors, while abstracts are provided in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. This approach recognizes linguistic diversity as a form of academic inclusion and contributes to reducing the privileged position of English as the sole language of knowledge production.

Chapters are written in the languages chosen by the authors, while abstracts are provided in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. This approach recognizes linguistic diversity as a form of academic inclusion and contributes to reducing the privileged position of English as the sole language of knowledge production.

The volume demonstrates that sport can be much more than competition. Across diverse contexts, sport is presented as a tool for advancing education, health, gender equality, social inclusion, community development, and peacebuilding. At the same time, the authors maintain a critical perspective, acknowledging the limitations of sport and emphasizing the importance of context, policy support, and long-term community engagement.

Chapter 1: Winning in Development: Sport and the 2030 Agenda

Aisha Al-Said Albella; Blanca de la Quintana Monge

This chapter examines the relationship between Sport for Development and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using the Barça Foundation as a case study, it shows how sport can contribute to goals related to health, education, gender equality, inclusion, peace, and partnerships. The authors also discuss the challenges of measuring the impact of sport-based initiatives and argue for stronger evaluation frameworks that demonstrate sport’s contribution to sustainable development.

Chapter 2: Nica-Nadadores

George B. Cunningham; Matthew Walker; Marlene A. Dixon; Steven Salaga; Adam E. Barry

This case study explores a swimming programme in Managua, Nicaragua, that combines sport participation with educational opportunities. Children gain access to quality education while developing life skills, self-discipline, leadership, and improved family relationships. The chapter highlights positive outcomes for participants but also reflects on challenges related to funding, leadership succession, and long-term sustainability.

Chapter 3: Olympism in Action

Pedro Danilo Ponciano Núñez

Focusing on Guatemala, this chapter traces the historical development of Olympism from ancient Greece to contemporary sport-for-development initiatives. It explains how Olympic values such as respect, solidarity, and peace can be translated into educational and community programmes. The author presents examples from Guatemala and argues that Olympic philosophy can contribute to social development, violence prevention, and peacebuilding when applied through evidence-based programmes.

Chapter 4: Deporte con Principios and Treino Social

Karen Petry; Louis Moustakas; Karina Frainer; Aderlúcia Silva

This chapter presents practical experiences from Colombia and Brazil developed through international cooperation. It describes two methodologies designed to promote life skills, conflict resolution, social inclusion, and violence prevention through sport. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of coaches, teachers, and community leaders as multipliers who extend the impact of sport programmes beyond direct participants.

Chapter 5: The Golden Decade of Sport in Brazil

Billy Graeff; Daiana Viacelli; Vilde Menezes

The authors critically analyse Brazil’s experience of hosting major sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. They assess the impact of these events on public policy, sport funding, legislation, and local communities. The chapter concludes that while mega-events generated substantial investment, their contribution to long-term social development was limited and often accompanied by social inequalities and community displacement.

Chapter 6: Sport and Community Work

Mariela Lucía Carvajal Sanjinés; Reinhard Haudenhuyse

This chapter connects sport with broader traditions of community work in Latin America and Spain. Through examples involving recreation, intercultural dialogue, peacebuilding, sexual education, and community facilities, the authors explore how sport can support local development. At the same time, they caution against viewing sport as a universal solution and emphasize the importance of community participation, local knowledge, and context-sensitive approaches.

Chapter 7: The State, Civil Society, and the 7P Strategy

Beatriz Elena Mejía Restrepo

This chapter analyses the collaboration between the Colombian government and the International Peace Group (GIP) during the implementation of peacebuilding initiatives linked to the Colombian peace process. The authors present the innovative 7P Strategy, which uses sport to strengthen social skills, community participation, leadership, cooperation, and peaceful conflict transformation. The chapter demonstrates the value of partnerships between state institutions and civil society organizations.

Chapter 8: Public Sport Policy in Chile

Miguel Cornejo A.

The final chapter offers a historical overview of sport policy in Chile, from early developments to contemporary government programmes. It examines how sport became a public policy tool for promoting health, social inclusion, citizenship, and well-being. The chapter highlights recent policies that emphasize access, equality, gender inclusion, intercultural dialogue, and participation across all stages of life, showing clear links with Sport for Development and Peace principles.

In summary, Sport for Development and Peace in Iberoamerica is both a scholarly and political project. It not only advances knowledge about sport-based social interventions across the region but also challenges linguistic and epistemic inequalities in academia. By giving voice to authors writing in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, the book demonstrates that a richer and more inclusive understanding of sport, development, and peace can emerge when multiple languages and perspectives are allowed to coexist.