Sport and governance: Peacebuilding in Communities Affected by the Armed Conflict in Colombia

The consequences of the conflict have become evident in the weakening of bonds between citizens due to limited cooperation and a loss of faith in the country's institutions. The government is limited in its ability to guide the country amid significant social conflicts as part of territorial governance. Communities find ways to improve their own mechanisms in order to contribute to local development and peacebuilding, with a united aim to overcome social vulnerabilities.
The research study highlights the collective capabilities that a community sports experience promotes among members affected by social conflicts, aiming for effective contributions towards positive change. Based on the results, the study offers five public policy recommendations, providing evidence to local and national governments in Colombia.
Previous studies emphasize the importance of ethnographic work in understanding the links created in medium- and long-term conflict resolution strategies based on sport (Duarte Bajaña, 2017; Oxford, 2019). Sport serves as a space contributing to changing these conflict-related realities for beneficiaries constantly affected by violence and insecurity (Sobotová et al., 2016). Consequently, various authors have stressed the critical importance of documenting experiences and practices using Sport for Development (SFD) as a catalyst for social transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean (Parnell et al., 2018; Schulenkorf et al., 2016; Svensson & Woods, 2017).
This study focuses on a Colombian NGO dedicated to promoting local peacebuilding processes in violence-affected areas through sport. Additionally, it examines the methodology involving training coaches and community leaders in using educational tools for peace.
Explore how this study highlights the collective capacities that a community sport experience promotes among members of communities affected by social conflict, and how they contribute to positive change.
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