PPI Indaba 2013

Last week, PeacePlayers Managing Directors and Operations Leaders from sites in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Middle East and Cyprus programs gathered together in Washington, DC for the 2013 PPI Indaba.. The schedule was jam-packed with sessions and events focusing on development and sustainability of our shared organization. Each site brought their own perspective through presentations on best practice, a strategic planning meeting with members of our US Board, and an in-depth discussion around our programmatic logic model. Although many of us were meeting each other for the first time, it wasn’t long before we were working together as a team and sharing stories like old friends.

In the evenings, the DC team organized a wide range of activities. Some of the highlights included a scavenger hunt around the Museum of American History, a trip to the Verizon Center to see the Wizards play the Knicks, and a visit to a city recreational facility where we coached alongside Sean Tuhoey, Co-Founder of PPI.

Check out some of the photos below, which feature some memorable moments:

Coaching in D.C with Tony McGaharan (PPI-NI) and Debbie van der Heever (PPI-SA)

The PPI Family

Gareth Harper (PPI-NI) and Marina Vasilara (PPI-CY) during a role play with Sports Leadership Challenge Academy

Thanasis (PPI-CY) demonstrating how leaders are not ‘born’

We accomplished a lot during this year’s Indaba, and it was great to connect with PeacePlayers staff from across the globe to discuss shared challenges, triumphs, and hopes for the future of PPI. As we all travel back to our respective sites, I think we will all take away a greater sense of team and shared belief in our mission to bring together young people from divided communities through sport.  Big thanks to the team in D.C. for being such great hosts!