Vanja Subašić
Sports Diplomacy Alum developed basketball program for youth with physical and mental disabilities in Teslić, Bosnia and Herzegovina.…
Sports Diplomacy
CIED’s Sports Diplomacy programs are international people-to-people exchanges that build mutual understanding and cooperation through sports. Programs bring together those interested in sports, recreation, and leadership to promote tolerance, cooperation, and life skills using the platform of sports teamwork. These programs also give participants confidence and leadership skills that allow them to succeed in life. CIED partners with Georgetown Athletics allowing student and alumni athletes to make a difference in the world.
Program Details
CIED employs two basic models for sports diplomacy initiatives. In our Youth Camps, Georgetown coaches, athletes, and former players coach and mentor young athletes abroad. Young people enhance their sports skills while at the same time learning about how sports values can help them succeed in life. Trainings highlight skills such as perseverance, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and integrity which are as important in life as they are on any sports team.
The second model, Coach Training Workshops, allows coaches of youth teams to develop their sports coaching and training abilities. Coaches also learn leadership skills that allow them work successfully with at-risk youth and players from communities in conflict.
CIED is working to expand successful models launched in Eastern Europe to other communities around the world.
Sports Diplomacy Programs have been sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State with the support of individuals and corporations. CIED has conducted Sports Diplomacy initiatives since 2009.
Program Impact
CIED’s Sports Diplomacy programs impact both individuals and communities. Sports programming has proven to be an effective way to build bridges across ethnic, religious, and cultural divisions. Through camps and training activities, participants develop new perspectives and skills to interact with people from other cultures with a spirit of tolerance and cooperation. Bringing together people from different nations and backgrounds also strengthens the bonds of friendship and understanding between people of the United States and people from other countries.
In addition, another key benefit is that adult participants in the Sports Diplomacy programs are prepared to encourage inter-ethnic cooperation through sports programming in their own communities, and to implement community projects focused on sports and social change.
Case Studies