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International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
From David Moyes’ ‘slap’ comment to the mounting accounts of sexist tirades suffered by top British women cyclists, sport’s role in perpetuating abuse and violence towards women has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
An exciting new chapter for International Inspiration
United Purpose: Merger of Concern Universal & International Inspiration
The charities Concern Universal and International Inspiration ‘IN’ are delighted to announce their merger, which sees these two highly innovative international development charities combine their experience and reach to address global sustainable development needs.
Exciting new inclusive sport resources from our local partner!
Over the last 3 years, International Inspiration has had the pleasure of partnering with Cheshire Foundation – Action for Inclusion (CF-AI) to deliver the innovative Sport for Inclusive Development project in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Bond Sport for Development and Peace Group
For the first time in history the world’s leaders have signed up to an agreement that recognises sport as an important enabler of sustainable development. Paragraph 37 of the United Nations new development framework, ‘Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’, makes specific mention of sport, acknowledging the growing contribution sport can make to a culture of tolerance and respect, the empowerment of women and young people and the achievement of health, education and social inclusion objectives[1].
Podcast: Katherine Grainger and Vijay Parbat talk to Sport in Law
Listen to our wonderful trustee Katherine Grainger and our Compnay Secretary Vijay Parbat talk to Sean Cottrell, CEO of Law in Sport about the great work they and International Inspiration does.
Safe Sport for Girls & Beyond – Moving The Goalposts wins Beyond Sport for Safeguarding Children in Sport Award
International Inspiration is delighted to announce that Moving The Goalposts (MTG) has won the inaugural UNICEF Safeguarding Children in Sport Award 2015 at the prestigious Beyond Sport Awards 2015.
The prize was received by MTG Executive Director, Rachel Muthoga during the awards ceremony on 20 October 2015 as part of the Beyond Sport Summit 2015 from 19 – 21 October in London, UK.
staff blog: "The moment I caught a glimpse of what an inclusive world might look like"
Dawn Goodwin, Head of Programme Delivery, shares how inspired she felt on her recent trip to Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Empowering young people to know their rights
The IN supported UNICEF-led Child Rights Launch Pad is an innovative approach to interactive learning that integrates an online gaming experience with off line sport and activity components all exploring and promoting different aspect of children’s rights and contributing to a healthy, active learning environment where children and young people are empowered to make informed decisions and enjoy new experiences.
Guest Blog: Uniting organisations to deliver quality partnership work
Liz Twyford, Sports Programmes Specialist at UNICEF UK, writes a guest blog for International Inspiration (IN) on what working together, a theme common across the international development sector, really means and how the UNICEF coordinated initiative to safeguard children in sport has supported quality partnership work.
IN joins groundbreaking National Sport Development Conference in Zambia
The Wallace Group (UK), UK Sport and International Inspiration (IN) will join grassroots organisations, Senior Government Ministers and Zambian delegates in evaluating and planning the future of sport development in Zambia at the first ever National Sport Development conference, taking place this week.
GUEST BLOG: Does sport and development have a branding crisis?
Paul Hunt, Project Officer at the International Platform on Sport and Development, writes a guest blog for International Inspiration (IN) about the current contestations of sport for development work - the blog follows the Sport for Development: A Catalyst for Change’ conference, held at Wilton Park in June this year.
GUEST BLOG: Breaking down barriers, building lasting partnerships
David Kyne, Founder and CEO at KYNE, writes a guest blog for International Inspiration (IN) about using sport as a vehicle to deliver health messaging, building on two unique and high-profile campaigns in Africa, both of which have provided key learnings on how sport can influence messaging and partnerships. The blog follows the Sport for Development: A Catalyst for Change’ conference, held at Wilton Park in June this year.
GUEST BLOG: The Equity Call
Following the Sport for Development: A Catalyst for Change’ conference at Wilton Park last week, participants share reflections on how discussions impact both their own organisations and the bigger picture. The first guest blog comes from Maria Bobenrieth, Executive Director of Women Win.
Guest Blog: Winning lessons on and off the field
Maria Bobenrieth, Executive Director of Women Win, writes a guest blog for International Inspiration (IN) about the importance of women occupying a public and prominent space in sport - a timely contribution to celebrate the first day of the Sport for Development: A Catalyst for Change’ conference, which kicks off today.
International Inspiration supports global conference on Sport for Development
International Inspiration (IN) is supporting the Sport for Development: a catalyst for change conference to advance the discussions and actions of how sport can impactfully contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the prestigious Wilton Park, UK.
Inspiring UK students to engage with issues of sustainable development through sport
International Inspiration (IN) joins UK Sport and the Wallace Group of Universities to support the development of students and coaches in the UK and Zambia through a UK and Zambia exchange programme called IDEALS.
Women in sport: Inspiring role models beyond the pitch
Women in sport is an opportunity not only to grow female participation but a chance to build a safe environment where girls are able to become role models and lead others in sport, gender equality, healthy living, and HIV and AIDS awareness.
Staff Blog: The beautiful contrasts of project visits
Dawn Goodwin, Head of Programme Delivery, shares experiences from her recent field visit to Zambia, where International Inspiration (IN) supports programmes that use sport to teach young people about gender equity, empowerment and education.
Using Football to Kick-Out Gender-Based Violence
As global efforts to address violence against women intensify, we applaud the important work being done across the globe to promote and protect women’s rights. We take this opportunity to also highlight an innovative programme in Zambia that uses football to engage boys and young men aged 12-23 in the prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV).
Guest blog: Recognising the power of sport for development
Mel Paramasivan, Communications and Fundraising Manager at International Inspiration, wrote a guest blog for the Stars Foundation, which addresses the specifics of how sport for development organisations will be part of the ongoing development efforts structured around the SDGs, including examples from local organisations.
Rehabilitating Rana Plaza Survivors: treating stress with sport
Unobserved traumas and mental health issues are injuries that victims of the Rana Plaza disaster continue to battle and in doing so, evidence the lack of responses to mental and physical support for disaster victims in developing countries, a study undertaken by International Inspiration's (IN) partner the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) and the University of Texas Health Science Centre, has found.
Raise money for IN when you shop online
International Inspiration (IN) is excited to announce that it has become a charity partner of Live as you Give - an online comparison site that raises money for charity when customers make purchases through their website.
Over 3,800 stores and retailers support the fundraising initiative including Amazon, John Lewis and M & S. IN will receive a 1-12% of your total purchase or a one-off donation. Simply make your purchase through the website and select International Inspiration as your charity beneficiary.
Guest Blog: Sport can reach places where other aid and development programmes struggle. So why are we ignoring it?
Communications and Fundraising Manager, Mel Paramasivan, wrote a guest piece for Duncan Green's Oxfam Poverty to Power blog, which discusses the importance of sport in the international development agenda.
Staff Blog: Children with disabilities are the gatekeepers of sport
Head of Programme Development at International Inspiration (IN), Poonam Sattee, writes about her recent trip to Bangladesh, where IN works in partnership with the Centre for Rehabilitation for the Paralysed (CRP) to deliver the Access & Empowerment programme, funded by Comic Relief.
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 2015: Time to take sport seriously
Sport holds a serious and prominent place in the international arena – the most watched events on TV, the most tweeted and highest trending topics on social media all relate to sport, but what does sport have to offer everywhere in the world that is not currently seen by millions?
Celebrating Red Nose Day 2015
To celebrate Red Nose Day 2015 International Inspiration (IN) shares how donations raised today will help support the vital work of international development organisations working with some of the worlds most marginalised children and young people. Comic Relief funds some of the core work of grassroots sport for development organisations using the power of sport as a vehicle to achieve social and economic development goals worldwide.
Inspiring students use sport to integrate excluded groups
A passionate group of inspiring young people, trained as community coaches and sport leaders, are using football to provide children and youth in their community with inclusive sports activities and the opportunity to access health education and learn about health services in Mozambique.
Increasing employment opportunities for sports leaders in Ghana
African football manufacturer Alive & Kicking and International Inspiration (IN) are piloting an innovative new programme to grow entrepreneurship and incomes using the knowledge and talent of young sport leaders in Northern Ghana.
GUEST BLOG: Access and empowerment in Bangladesh
British Judo Chief Executive, Andrew Scoular, visited International Inspiration’s (IN) Access and Empowerment programme in Bangladesh last year to see how National Governing Bodies (NGBs) could learn from and share expertise with international development organisations. After his visit to the Centre for Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) – one of the most renowned community projects in Bangladesh - he saw first-hand the impact of their unique work and the similarities between Bangladeshi and British organisations.
Playing football and supporting livelihoods
Community-based organisation, Moving The Goalposts, use football leagues as a pathway to financial training and opportunity to return to school and earn their own financial independence. Using football as a hook to springboard women and girls into the local business community. This is combined with gender equality training and community-based initiatives, aligning to theWorld Health Organisation’s prediction that this combination will ‘hold promise’ for women.
Playing with a purpose: experiences of inclusive sport in Ethiopia
“I feel free when I play table tennis” says Taye Asfaw.
The 18 year old table tennis player is a regular at his local sports festivals and admits that the encouragement of his peers and coaches have pushed him to compete in regional and national competitions. This was not his story 18 months ago.
“Seeing the table being brought to the youth centre for the purpose of training youth with disabilities made me very happy. The youth centre did not have many games I could join and I was always an observer rather than a player.
Student sport and development programme highlights unique and versatile role of sport
“Most of the young people I was coaching in Zambia used the opportunity to participate in sport as an outlet for stresses they may be facing at home. Some of the girls couldn’t make training on time because they had to cook and clean for their families but despite this, training remained a priority,” says Raina Omar, a former student at Loughborough University.
IN and FRANK WATER partner with the Cold Water Swimming Championships 2015
International Inspiration (IN) is proud to be joining FRANK Water as the official charity partners of the Cold Water Swimming Championships (CWSC) 2015 due to take place on 24 January at the Tooting Bec Lido, London.
International Inspiration acknowledged in historic UN resolution
The International Inspiration Programme (IIP) has been acknowledged in a historical UN Resolution that recognises IIP as the first legacy initiative ever linked to the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
International guidelines for safer sport launched
Coe’s London 2012 International Inspiration legacy promise reaches 25 million around the world
Lord Coe reveals that pioneering social and sporting London 2012’s international legacy initiative, the International inspiration Programme, has far exceeded target to inspire 12 million children and young people across 20 countries
Two years on from London 2012, the hugely ambitious global programme, the first of its kind associated with an Olympic and Paralympic Games, has now reached over 25 million children and young people
#sportgaveme
Calling all partners of IN and partners in sport for development. Please get involved with the following campaign and have your voice heard at the 7th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting by responding to the #sportgaveme.
As the Commonwealth Games come to Glasgow, so do the Sport Ministers for the 7th Commonwealth Sports Ministers meeting. The Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Working Group (CYSDP) will be presenting to Commonwealth Sports Ministers on the powerful role youth leadership plays in Sport for Development and Peace.
Uganda celebrates the International Inspiration Programme
The International Inspiration Programme (IIP) was born from Seb Coe’s 2005 Promise in Singapore to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of the Games so they are inspired to choose sport’. ‘By 2012, the original target to reach 12 million children and young people had been far surpassed and this ground-breaking programme has continued to inspire and impact upon the lives of children and young people around the world.
London Marathon experience 'reminiscent of London 2012' for Grainger
This weekend three-time Olympic silver medallist and London 2012 champion Katherine Grainger switched from elite rower, to road runner, taking on the challenge of the London Marathon on behalf of London 2012 legacy charity – International Inspiration (IN).
Having completed the course in an impressive time of 3:55:08, we met Katherine at the finish line and - in between the sweat, tears and elation – spent some time discussing her reasons for running for IN and what the future holds.
IN Trustee Katherine Grainger to start 2014 London Marathon
09 April 2014
Three of Britain's 2012 Olympic medallists will be the official starters of the 2014 London Marathon on Sunday 13 April.
Rowers Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins will push the famous red button at the ‘blue start' on Shooters Hill to send some 36,000 runners and wheelchair racers on their way in the Virgin Money London Marathon, while diver Tom Daley will start the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon, a three-mile race for young athletes aged 11-17.
Celebrating International Day of Sport for Development and Peace - Part Four
Part four of our celebration looks towards the IDEALS programme...
IDEALS
Celebrating International Day of Sport for Development and Peace - Part Three
Next we visit Mozambique to continue celebrating the 2014 International Day of Sport for Development and Peace...
Tico Tico
Celebrating International Day of Sport for Development and Peace - Part Two
For our second story we visit Kenya...
Moving The Goalposts
Celebrating International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 6 April as the International Day of Sports and Physical Activity, to celebrate the contribution of sports and physical activity to education, human development, healthy lifestyles and a peaceful world.
2014 will see the first annual celebration of the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace take place around the world, to celebrate, International Inspiration will be publishing short case studies and pictures to highlight the unique and inspirational power of sport active in its programmes around the world today.
RUNNING A MILE WITH KATHERINE GRAINGER pt 3
IN THE BUILD-UP TO THE 2014 VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON, KATHERINE WILL RELIVE HER THOUGHTS, TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS AND THROUGH A WEEKLY SERIES…
"Ah the joys of the taper.
RUNNING A MILE WITH KATHERINE GRAINGER pt 2
Running a mile with Katherine Grainger
In the build-up to the 2014 Virgin London Marathon, Katherine will relive her thoughts, trials and tribulations and through a weekly series…
Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger to run London Marathon
• Katherine Grainger, trustee of London 2012’s legacy charity International Inspiration, set to run London Marathon.
• London 2012 Olympic champion sets her sights on running first marathon.
• Charity continues its work to empower more generations, world-wide, through quality sport and physical activity.
International Inspiration has today confirmed that Katherine Grainger will run the 2014 London Marathon and fundraise on behalf of the charity.
Inspired by Uganda
As part of the International Inspiration Programme, London 2012’s social and sporting legacy initiative – which uses the power of sport to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities across the world – UK Sport’s Senior International Advisor Elias Musangeya hosted the Department for International Developmen
Turning the tide for Aya
Here's an update from Waves for Change, in this blog they describe how sport has helped to transform the life of Aya...
We’re stoked to share the news that Ayabulela is back in school.
Following a family trauma two years ago, Ayabulela developed learning and behavioral difficulties. When we met him last year he was 15 and had already been out of school for several months, living at home with his grandmother who had become his legal guardian.
The power of sport
As a trustee of the newly merged charity International Inspiration (IN), I have just returned from an International Inspiration Programme (IIP) PE and schools sport conference in Jakarta, Indonesia. IIP will be coming to an end in 2014 and I can proudly say the London 2012 legacy programme has really delivered on the promise to ‘reach young people all around the world and connect them to the inspirational power of sport’.
We're not alone in this world of ours
Ok, there are worse places in the world than Grand Cayman in the Caribbean not least as hurricanes are predicted... for southern England! I don't expect your sympathy. More likely you'll be chanting that delightful mantra I grew used to after weeks on the road with the England football team at World Cups and Euros. “Lucky …….”!!
But hey the privilege of co-hosting a summit of sports Ministers and football administrators from across North America, Central America and the Caribbean -more than 35 countries represented- provided inspiration as well.
Empowering young women through sport
The final edition of the series looking back at the 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, we interviewed Janet Karembo Konde from IN backed Pathways Programme, Moving The Goalposts in Kilfi, Kenya.
In the sixth episode, Janet describes what Moving The Goalposts is all about, how it is using sport to work with young girls and women in Kenya and how it is empowering them to know their rights whilst growing up…
Developing leaders through sport
The penultimate edition of the series looking back at the 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, we interviewed Beatrice Owusu Dumaah, a Master Trainer for the IN backed Beckwith International Leadership Development (BILD) Programme.
In the fifth episode, Beatrice describes what BILD is about, how it is working in partnership with the University of Ghana to help develop young people through sport and nurture their personal and professional pathways with workshops, programmes and opportunities they would not have had…
British High Commission donates exhibits to the Olympics section of the Uganda Museum and announces a legacy project for Kapchorwa, Uganda
At an event at the Ugandan National Museum on 5 September British High Commissioner Alison Blackburne presented the Museum with a new exhibition commemorating the first anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The event highlighted the work of the London 2012 legacy programme, International Inspiration. The programme is delivered by the British Council and aims to use the power of sport to enrich the lives of millions of children and young people of all abilities, in schools and communities across the world.
Leading Through Example
In the next edition of the series looking back at the 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, we interviewed Sharon Museke, a National coordinator for the UK Sport backed Edusport initiative, Go Sisters.
In this fourth episode, Sharon describes what Go Sisters is about, how it is working towards the UN’s third Millennium Development Goal – promoting gender equity and empowerment – and how the programme uses the power of sport in Zambia…
Moving The Goalposts wins the Beyond Sport for Health Award
Moving the Goalposts Kilifi has won the Beyond Sport Health Award 2013.
The prize was handed over to MTG's new Executive Director Rachel Muthoga during the Beyond Sport Summit 2013 that was held from 9 - 11 September in Philadelphia, USA. MTG was one of the 400 contenders from 125 countries in eleven award categories. Other projects that were shortlisted for the Beyond Sport Health Award were Chicago Runners (USA), Soccer for Succes (USA) and Rumah Camera Football Programme (Indonesia).
Inspired by a wave
Writing about his first visit to the United Kingdom, Bongani Ndlovu from Waves for Change tells us why sport as a tool for development is so important, both domestically and internationally as well as highlighting the role of today’s youth in helping to inspire the next generation no matter where they are from.
Making Waves
In the next edition of the series looking back at the 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, we interviewed Bongani Ndlovu, a founding member of the Waves For Change initiative.
In this third episode, Bongani describes what Waves For Change is trying to achieve, how it is trying to meet its ambitions and, most importantly, why it is trying to change lives through sport…
The impact of action through Youth Leadership
In the next edition of the series looking back at the 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, we interview Clare Barrell, Chair of the Commonwealth Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) Youth Working Group (YWG) and International Development Advisor at UK Sport.
In this second episode, Clare, in her role as Chair of the SDP YWG, sat down with other members of the YWG to discuss how and why sport is so inspirational, how the youth around the Commonwealth can shape the path of sport for development and what they hope a Youth Sport Charter can achieve…
IN's commitment to youth leadership
In a guest article for International Inspiration, Beatrice Owusu Dumaah from the BILD programme in Ghana, has written a report of her experience and lessons learnt from the 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference held in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference discussed among other themes, the need to put the youth at the centre stage of sports. The Youth Sport Charter was a key focus at the conference, which was the first step geared towards achieving this aim.
The key points taken from this conference are:
Conversations on the power of Sport to inspire, empower and transform lives
In the first of a series looking back at the 4th Commonwealth Sports Development Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, we interview Debbie Lye, Director of International Development at International Inspiration & UK Sport and Louise Martin, Chair of Sport Scotland and the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport.
In this first episode, Debbie and Louise discuss the power of sport and how it can empower and inspire children, young people, women and marginalised groups to take responsibility in their lives…
BLOG: What is International Inspiration ?
Wherever I travel overseas people rush to congratulate me, as a representative of London and the United Kingdom, on “the best Games ever”. Just as people in Newcastle, Nairn and Neath get goose bumps remembering Super Saturday and reliving Katherine Grainger’s long-awaited, dream-come-true gold medal moment, Norwegians, Namibians and New Yorkers cherish their memories of the golden and largely sun-kissed summer of supreme sport and world class welcome that was London 2012.
What sport can achieve at Tokyo’s World Sports Values Summit for Peace
The World Sports Values Summit for Peace, in Tokyo last week brought together young athletes, leaders, and academics to share and explore the values that sport can advance. It was aimed at highlighting the positive roles that sport can play in furthering the cause of peace and human development and emphasized the key principles of Respect, Excellence, and Friendship drawn from the Olympic tradition – a perfect fit with IN.
Andrew Mitchell to join Board of London 2012’s legacy charity International Inspiration
Andrew Mitchell MP will join the Board of newly merged charity, International Inspiration.The charity aims to work in partnership to inspire, empower and transform lives through sport
International Inspiration is named after its flagship programme, the London 2012 international sport legacy initiative, which has already enriched the lives of over 12 million children in 20 countries around the world and developed more than 200,000 teachers, community coaches and Young Sports Leaders to deliver high-quality, inclusive physical education and sport. T
MTG United - More than just a win
IN supported community-based organisation (CBO), Moving The Goalposts Kilifi (MTG), uses football to empower over 3,000 girls in the rural and urban areas of Kilifi County, Kenya. Through playing football, MTG girls discover and build their confidence and value themselves as strong, capable young women. MTG leagues are youth-led and managed, and include girl-advocates that promote healthy sexual choices, financial independence and female leadership.
IN Director, Debbie Lye, addresses International Forum on Sport for Peace and Development
The 3rd joint United Nations (UN) and International Olympic Committee (IOC) International Forum on Sport for Peace and Development (SDP) opened on Wednesday June 5th at the UN’s headquarters in New York, USA, in the presence of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and IOC President Jacques Rogge.
Enriching lives through sport, International Inspiration inspires at Sport for All Conference in Peru
Debbie Lye, International Development Director and International Inspiration Director at UK Sport, presented on the British vision of “Enriching the lives of 12 million children and young people in 20 countries around the world through the power of high quality and inclusive physical education, sport and play” at the 15th International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Conference on Sport for All.
Nigerian Olympic legacy programme set to enrich thousands
The Nigerian Government has released a new report on the success of the international Olympic Legacy programme, International Inspiration, highlighting its plan to ensure the programme thrives and continue to impact upon thousands more young people across the country.
The four-year programme in Nigeria has led to on-going partnerships between government and sports federations, initiated under the international sports legacy programme led by UK Sport in partnership with UNICEF and the British Council.