Breaking down Cultural Barriers through Sport for Development and Peace (SDP): An Exploratory Study of SDP Practitioners in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Southeast Asia consist of ten countries which are located in the sub region of Asia. These countries are: Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. The 10 countries declared the Association of Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) on August 8, 1967 and thence, engaged in various form of bilateral and multilateral relationships.

All the countries located in Southeast Asia are active members of the United Nations (UN) and they play key roles in integrating Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) which has been recognized as a powerful tool to bring people together irrespective of their culture, gender or beliefs. SDP itself has been on the ascendency in most of the ASEAN countries. Thus, Like the United Nation, ASEAN countries are active contributors to the Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs).

This study was aimed to find out about the role of SDP to break down cultural barriers in Southeast Asia. The first stage of this study explored the core cultural barriers that SDP practitioners face in their communities. Second stage explored the contribution of SDP to break down cultural barriers. Third stage examined value that the theoretical concept of SDP has in breaking down cultural barriers. This study involved 14 SDP practitioners from Southeast Asia and 5 SDP experts from various countries.

The qualitative approach with exploratory study and semi-structured interview was used to collect data. The study results showed 7 kinds of cultural barriers experienced by SDP practitioners in South East Asia.

Regarding the role of SDP to breaking down cultural barriers, this study combined answers provided by SDP practitioners and SDP researchers/experts as well as looking at the previous research regarding the impact of SDP. Consequently, the study showed that there is little evidence of SDP to breaking down cultural barriers and that, the claims as well as the impact of SDP have been over-romanticize and exaggerated.

However, given SDPs role to connect people and break the ice in communities, SDP can also play a significant supplementary role in communities as a way to create awareness of cultural barriers if given a careful attention, adequately resourced and embed into nation building strategies. It is also important for governments, NGOs and academia to consciously contribute to a well-designed methodologies or approaches by outlining innovative ways to measure the impact of SDP.

Keywords: Sports for Development and Peace, Cultural Barriers