Chad Ford of the Arbinger Institute and ESPN.com, pictured here leading a PPI training event in the Middle East, will also attend next week's event in Cyprus.
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity at PeacePlayers International – Cyprus as we gear up for our Anatomy of Peace Training. Over 40 people from 7 different countries will gather in Cyprus to discuss how to incorporate peacebuilding, tolerance and conflict resolution skills into sports training and youth work. In addition to PeacePlayers International, members from three other non-profits will be attending: the Moroccan Association of Sister Cities International, the Primary School of Saints Cyril and Methodius (in Bulgaria), and Insaka–Ireland (Sport Against Racism).
We’ll have updates throughout the training next week, but first, take a minute to learn about our partners.
Moroccan Association of Sister Cities International
Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between U.S. and international communities. Their goal is to build global cooperation at the municipal level, promote cultural understanding and stimulate economic development.
The Moroccan Association of Sister Cities International was created to develop cultural, economic and social exchanges and strengthen bilateral and multilateral relationships between cities in Morocco and the United States through the exchange of people and ideas. These exchanges provide each community with a stake in the construction of a modern and open society.
The members attending the Anatomy of Peace Training all come from Neighborhoods Association IDMAJ, a partner of Sister Cities. Neighborhoods Association IDMAJ – IDMAJ meaning integration in Arabic – is a non-profit association created by and run by youth from marginalized neighborhoods in Casablanca, Morocco. Their main mission is to integrate youth from these marginalized and poor neighborhoods into society through life skills education, job training, sports, art, music, theater and citizenship education. They work throughout Casablanca, and over 150 children take part in their daily programs and trainings.
The Primary School of Saints Cyril and Methodius
The Primary School of Saints Cyril and Methodius is a multicultural school in a diverse area of Bulgaria. The school consists of 860 students from 1st to 12th grade.
The school is unique in its region because its students have additional classes in sports, arts, music, choreography and foreign languages, even Greek.
Being a diverse school, the teachers frequently utilize conflict resolution techniques in the classroom as well as on the court. Attending the training is a group of teachers and coaches, along with the school’s Managing Director. Several teachers also participated in Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE), a group fighting against all forms of discrimination in football: in the stadium, on the pitch, in the changing room, at the training ground, in the office and classroom; by fans, players, managers, coaches, administrators or educators. Today FARE has active partners in more than 37 countries and is working across the game with fans, players, migrant and ethnic minority organizations, and governing bodies, including UEFA and FIFA.
Insaka–Ireland (Sport Against Racism)
SARI, Sport Against Racism Ireland, supports and promotes social inclusion and positive integration through sport. SARI is a not for profit organization set up in July 1997 as a direct response to the growth of racist attacks from a small but vocal section of people in Ireland.
Their goals are to present sporting and cultural events that bring together people from different cultures and backgrounds, create opportunities for young people to participate in social integration projects, promote intercultural dialogue and celebrate cultural diversity, and to encourage government agencies and national sports bodies to adopt anti – racism measures. Attending the Anatomy of Peace Training will be 5 members of Insaka-Ireland, including the Director of Sport along with several basketball coaches.
Of course, this event would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors, the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, and the assistance of our partner in peacebuilding, The Arbinger Institute.
Last year, PPI – Northern Ireland joined with Sports Against Racism Ireland to raise awareness for sport’s power to bridge divides. Look out Darryl, in the green shirt, in this video:
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