Introduction to Sport for Social Change

In this section we explain the key features, statistics, benefits and challenges of Sport for Social Change (SSC) to build a solid foundation before addressing the categories of Plus Sport and Sport Plus initiatives.

The concept appears under several names, including Sport for Social Change, Sport for Good, and Sport for Development. While we primarily use “Sport for Social Change,” the other terms are widely accepted and refer to the same idea. When quoting sources, we retain the original term used by the author.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”
— Nelson Mandela, Laureus World Sports Awards, Monte Carlo, May 25, 2000

According to the UN General Assembly Resolution 71/160 (December 2016) recognizing sport as a means to promote education, health, development and peace, “Sport for Development and Peace refers to the intentional use of sport, physical activity and play to attain specific development and peace objectives, including, most notably, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Sport for Development and Peace is not new. In 1894, Pierre de Coubertin considered the reconstruction of the modern Olympic Games to bring nations closer together through sport, stating, “I remained convinced that sport is one of the most forceful elements of peace and I am confident in its future action.” In the contemporary world, the approach is often associated with the inspiration of Nelson Mandela. The United Nations further recognized sport’s diplomatic, integrative, educational and peace-building potential through a resolution adopted by the General Assembly in 2003. This also led to the 2015 reaffirmation of the 1978 UNESCO International Charter for Physical Education and Sport.

Since the inception of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000, sport supported progress on all eight goals:

In UNGA Resolution 70/1 (Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 2015), sport’s role was reaffirmed: “Sport is also an important enabler of sustainable development. We recognize the grow-ing contribution of sport to the realization of development and peace in its promotion of tolerance and respect and the contributions it makes to the empowerment of women and of young people, individuals and communities as well as to health, education and social inclusion objectives.”

Examples of SDGs where sport contributes strongly:

• Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
• Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
• Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
• Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable
• Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful, and inclusive societies
• Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

At the heart of sustainable development are five overarching themes — the 5Ps — which represent the interconnected dimensions of the 2030 Agenda. Building on the classic pillars of social inclusion, economic growth, and environmental protection, the Agenda adds two critical components: Partnership and Peace. The 5Ps framework helps us see how each SDG supports the others.