Abstract
This research is part of an ongoing PhD project. The historical and geographical vulnerability of Pakistan to violent extremism and the increasing number of Pakistani communities using Sports for Development and Peace (SDP) programs informed the need for this research. The government has often adopted a top-down approach to its Preventing Violent Extremism (VE) efforts. In cases where civil society organizations are consulted or engaged, the role of sports/SDP programs is largely overlooked despite their social significance in local communities and Pakistan in general. Due to this gap, the study explores two SDP programs in Pakistan’s Lahore and Islamabad cities. The study aims to learn from available global literature in the field of SDP and preventing violent extremism. Based on the findings, a qualitative questionnaire was developed and used to interview program participants and implementers in an effort to understand how SDP helps to prevent VE. Data was also gathered through focus group discussions. The United Nations sports-based theory of change model is used as a theoretical tool to analyze the collected data. The research will help to understand the mechanism of SDP programs employed in Pakistan to prevent violent extremism, and the literature review will contribute to the international body of literature in the field.
Presenters
Umair AsifPhD Candidate, Institute of Health and Society, University of Quebec in Montreal, Quebec, Canada Tegwen Gadais
Professor, Sciences de L'activité Physique, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Quebec, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Sporting Cultures and Identities
KEYWORDS
SPORT, SPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, VIOLENT EXTREMISM PREVENTION, YOUTH
