The book presents the field of sport for development and peace (SDP) from an Ibero-American perspective. Its starting point is that sport is a social phenomenon that can contribute to physical well-being, socialisation, mental health, and addressing inequalities, and that in recent decades it has been incorporated into frameworks for human and sustainable development.
The editors, however, highlight a significant gap: much of the international literature on SDP is published in English, and Latin America remains underrepresented in global research. This work seeks to broaden this conversation and give visibility to experiences and knowledge produced in Spanish and Portuguese.
The introduction examines the relationships between sport for development and peace, community sport, and sport for all, as well as the connection between sport and the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It also emphasizes the need for transdisciplinary research, collaboration among stakeholders, and rigorous management to ensure that sporting initiatives responsibly pursue non-sporting social outcomes. The book comprises eight chapters that combine theory, programs, policies, and national case studies. Its value lies in demonstrating both the potential of sport for inclusion, education, peace, and well-being, and its limitations, risks, and dependence on historical, political, and institutional contexts.
Activity