The Western world commonly champions the power of sport for social cohesion and com-munal pride (Schulenkorf, 2011) through sporting mega events and small-scale development projects. Empirical evidence, however, that proof those claims are scarce (Chalip, 2006; Coalter, 2007; Kidd, 2008). Sport for good has received critics based on statistical proof that neither economical nor other social benefits reach the ones in need (Briedenhann, 2011). Even further most projects claiming to assist the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/) are poorly implemented and lack coordination with mainstream development activities (Tiessen, 2011). The complexity of conflicts and difficulty to transform those to achieve sustainable peace makes it impossible for sport as a single phenomenon to be detached from broader initiatives. Consequently, the document hereafter aims to combine theory and anecdotal evidence to suggest a Sport for Development and Peace framework (SDP) that is believed to be universal and leaves positive legacies be-hind. The suggested methodology utilizes the ideas of liberal education and the perks of sport to facilitate moral development.
Table of Contents
Introduction
A roadmap to initiation, integration and innovation of SDP
Thesis rationale, assumptions, and theoretical foundation
Practicality of theoretical content
Initiation – Moral development and its worth
The theory of Ethics
Aiming for perpetual peace according to Kant.
A moral identity that reaches beyond.
Creating a safe haven for moral development.
Moral development as a form of conflict transformation
Creativity a core principle for conflict resolution.
Moral education a means to transform conflicts.
Moral development in business
Final remarks
Integration – Sport as vehicle for moral education
A critical reflection of current SDP practices
Scope and status of SDP today.
The paradoxical nature of SDP.
International Sport Federations and their approach to development work.
Common objectives of contemporary SDP practices.
Ethical principles governing and protecting sport’s moral worth
Towards a ‘mutual quest for excellence’.
Ethical considerations of Simon’s ideas.
Human excellence as an underlying principle.
Final remarks
Innovation – Liberal education making sport a tool for moral development
Sport, Universalism and Education
Sport as a valued human practice.
(Re-)gaining an appreciation of the inner values of sport.
Sport, morals, and the freedom of choice
Limitations and possibilities of sport.
The impartiality and universality of virtues.
Planning, introducing, and implementing a liberal environment.
A program that exemplifies ways for moral development
Final remarks
Challenges and limitations
Not any and not all sport
Considering the context
Flexible allocation of resources
Conclusion and Acknowledgement
Creating moral agents of change
SDP a cooperative and bidirectional learning experience
Research Objectives & Themes
The primary objective of this thesis is to propose an adaptable framework that utilizes sport as a medium to foster moral development. It addresses the research question of how sport can be specifically and ethically integrated into development initiatives, transcending simple "sport for all" slogans to create lasting, positive social legacies.
- Theoretical foundations of ethics and moral development (from Kant to Hobbes).
- Critical evaluation of current "Sport for Development and Peace" (SDP) practices.
- Application of liberal education principles to enhance the transformative power of sport.
- Development of a "mutual quest for excellence" as a standard for moral conduct.
- Strategies for integrating sports into broader social and community development goals.
Excerpt from the Book
A moral identity that reaches beyond.
Kant’s philosophy, addressing the nature of conflict, follows a list of laws for perpetual peace. Most of his arguments reach beyond domestic activities and are targeted towards international cohesion. This does not imply, however, that those rules are universal. Though answers to the world’s most pressing issues will remain situation-specific, developing moral values, the ability to consider various options based on the information on hand, carries some commonality that can provide a general platform. Methodologies, on the other hand, may have to be adjusted, selection processes for participants adapted and lessons altered towards social and cultural accepted means while the philosophy remains the same: to provide a foundation in which moral values can prosper and develop, instating a group of ambassadors of change that advocate for mutual understanding in their regions and beyond. As such, we may be able to fulfill in the long-run and as Moravcsik (1996) put it, ‘Kant’s proposal for a foedus pacificum, an international federation’ (p. 123) whose identity is carried by compatible moral values.
Kant’s argument to form an international federation is according to Czempiel (1996) a prerequisite for sustainable peace; an alliance that is founded on a shared identity based on a mutual understanding of moral values. Even though acts – i.e. the expression of those principles – will vary by situation and individual, those irrevocable differences form the historical, cultural, and societal diversity that understanding, respecting, living, and celebrating establishes an appreciation and realization of the benefits of different belief and value systems. Consequently eliminating or at least reducing the potential for conflict.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a roadmap for the thesis and establishes the rationale for viewing sport as a specialized tool for sustainable development.
Initiation – Moral development and its worth: Evaluates ethical theories such as Kant’s perpetual peace to define a moral foundation that is culturally unbiased and universally applicable.
Integration – Sport as vehicle for moral education: Critically analyzes current SDP programs, highlighting their strengths and failures while proposing a refined approach to maximize social impact.
Innovation – Liberal education making sport a tool for moral development: Explores how combining sport with a liberal educational environment can nurture moral agents and foster an appreciation for human diversity.
Challenges and limitations: Discusses the practical difficulties of implementing SDP, including the need for flexibility and contextual sensitivity in resource allocation.
Conclusion and Acknowledgement: Summarizes the vision of using SDP to create moral agents of change through a bidirectional and cooperative learning experience.
Keywords
Sport for Development and Peace, SDP, Moral Development, Liberal Education, Mutual Quest for Excellence, Conflict Transformation, Ethical Framework, Perpetual Peace, Human Excellence, Social Contract, Cultural Diversity, Social Cohesion, Global Citizenship, Sustainable Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work focuses on transforming the field of "Sport for Development and Peace" (SDP) from a generic activity-based approach into a structured, ethically grounded framework for moral development.
What are the central themes explored?
Key themes include the necessity of integrating sport into wider social development, the role of ethical theory (Kant, Hobbes) in sport, and the importance of liberal education in fostering moral agents.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to design an adaptable, universal framework that allows sport to serve as a meaningful tool for cultivating moral values and resolving conflicts effectively.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The study employs a qualitative analysis approach, synthesizing ethical philosophy and existing academic literature to derive recommendations for better SDP practices.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the theoretical initiation of moral values, the critical reflection of current SDP practices, and the integration of sport with liberal education to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Primary keywords include Sport for Development and Peace (SDP), Moral Development, Liberal Education, Conflict Transformation, and the Mutual Quest for Excellence.
How does the author view the "winner-takes-it-all" mentality in sports?
The author argues that this mentality often undermines moral growth and suggests replacing it with a "mutual quest for excellence" where competitors strive for improvement rather than just victory.
Why is a "liberal environment" considered essential for sport-based programs?
A liberal environment is necessary to empower individuals with the critical thinking skills needed to reflect on their own moral actions and the actions of others, rather than blindly following rules.
- Quote paper
- Ingo Steffgen (Author), 2013, A Sport for Development and Peace framework that facilitates moral development through liberal education and sport, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/300891
