Our Theory of Change - Journey of a PeacePlayer

HOW WE CREATE CHANGE

The Challenge

The 21st century has seen a surge in armed conflicts around the globe. In any society, children are often the most vulnerable in the face of conflict, suffering from widespread disease, hunger, as well as gender-based violence and exploitation.

And conflicts don’t always conclude with the signing of a peace agreement. Even in societies that have resolved major conflicts, peace is often fleeting. If signing a peace agreement isn’t enough to end conflict once and for all, what can we do to create more peaceful societies?

If we want to see lasting peace in the world, we need to treat the root of conflict. That’s what we do at PeacePlayers. We use basketball as an innovative tool to unite a critical mass of diverse youth leaders around the globe who work together to dismantle structures of conflict and inequity in their societies and beyond.

OUR SOLUTION

Our Change is Through A Global Movement of Youth Leaders Using Basketball to Create a More Peaceful World

Theory of Change

How do we get to a more peaceful world?

Interpersonal change

Intergroup contact between belligerent groups facilitated under favorable conditions (frequent, meaningful, long-term, superordinate goal) will result in negative attitudes mitigated and friendships developed.

Community change

Motivated youth (from part 1) equipped with skills and resources can become effective agents of change (peace advocates). If we engage key people and institutions in this process, we will influence broader systemic change.

Global change

A process of connected and organized youth leaders (peace advocates), including key people and institutions from around the world, will ignite a movement that will have global impact.

The journey of a Peaceplayer

Our program model

The leadership pipeline

Peace league Program

Ages 8-12

Safe spaces, Fun, Bravery

Leadership development program

Ages 13-18

Hard and soft skill development, deeper relationships, applications to deeper divides.

Coaches and alumni

Leadership, mentorship, coaches training, internships.

Staff

Arbinger in the workplace and deepening our impact by changing the way we work together.

Our core values

Seeing People as People

I see other's needs, wants, and desires as equally valid as my own. Others are not vehicles for me to use. Or obstacles for me to overcome. Nor are they irrelevant to me. We create the space and ability to develop something to come up with all sorts of possibilities and solutions to our problems that honor the humanity of others.

Seeing People as People in Action

A Q+A WITH COACH THANDEKA FROM SOUTH AFRICA

Culture of Collaboration

This means that when faced with conflict with another, I am committed to finding solutions that meet the needs of both of us. I will not avoid the conflict or give in. I won’t try to win the conflict or compromise. I will engage the person with respect for both that person’s needs and mine.

Culture of Collaboration in Action

ARAB AND JEWISH YOUNG LEADERS PROTEST TOGETHER AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Inside Out Transformation

To solve the most difficult problems in my life, I first look inward and ask myself, “In what ways may I not be seeing these people correctly? What assumptions have I brought to this conflict? In what ways might I be self-deceived.” It is the opposite of the blaming and dehumanization that often plague our conflicts.

Inside Out Transformation in Action

BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS ACROSS BELFAST – THE NEXT GENERATION LEADING THE WAY