The FN selected the year 2005 as the “Year of Sport and Physical Education” (Read more here). The year lead to a focus on the many different activities exploring and furthering the potential of “Sport and Development and Peace”, in other words, making use of sport to generate development in developing countries, conflict areas, etc. The effort was linked to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the eight overall aims of development toward 2015.
In the light of the year of UN, an increased focus and international cooperation within the field of Sport and Development has been made. In Denmark, a series of initiatives was registered as elements under the year of UN, including the work of Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association (DGI) in Denmark and Africa, the conference Play the Game and Global EduSport’s project in Afghanistan, among others.
But also other Danish organisations are working with development through sport. For some it is represented as a peripheral activity, for others it is the centre of rotation. For some it is a matter of scientific work, others are practicians. The contacts across several of these organisations have existed but have not been organised or particularly intensive.
Some could argue that development through sport could have an even greater significance and could be more qualified internationally as well as in Denmark. Anyway, that requires a more systematical effort than what is shown today. A network between the relevant organisations can contribute to this to a great extend.