Sports Diplomacy
WHAT IS SPORTS DIPLOMACY?
Sports Diplomacy embraces universal passion for sports as a way to transcend linguistic and sociocultural differences and bring people together, while also recognizing the potential of sport to create positive impacts through teaching leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that benefit young people in the U.S. and abroad in all areas of their lives. It has emerged as an integral part of efforts to build ever-strengthening relations between the United States and other nations.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Each of our Sports Diplomacy exchanges has a theme related to Sport for Social Change, which is identified in collaboration with an in-country partner organization and the U.S. Embassy or Embassies. Typically, a delegation from the U.S. travels to the Latin American country for 7-14 days, and within the year, a group from the Latin American country or countries travels to the U.S. for 14 days. This format uses the connection of sport to promote dialogue and enhance cultural understanding among countries.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT?
These multi-country, multi-cultural exchanges are designed to equip a new generation of athletes and sports professionals in the U.S. and Latin America with skills to use sport as a tool to bolster cooperation, tolerance and respect for people from different backgrounds. The program offers opportunities for two-way cultural learning, while also providing space to build networks among professionals and peers. With a focus on underserved youth and their coaches and sports administrators, these exchanges are a part of the U.S. government’s efforts to reach out to youth populations in order to promote growth and stable democratic governments and to remove barriers and create a world in which people with disabilities and at-risk populations enjoy dignity and full inclusion.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
The Mansfield Center will implement the following upcoming programs, with dates and details to be announced.
Dominican Republic 2023 - Developing Leaders through Sport (taekwondo & basketball)
- Implemented by WorldDenver and the Mansfield Center
- Dates: Dominican Republic - November 11 - 18 2023
- Denver, CO and Missoula, MT - February 2024
- We are accepting applications through October 1, 2023. Click here to apply.
Honduras 2024 — Building Youth Capacity through Soccer
- Dates: Honduras - April/May 2024
- Missoula, MT - July 2024
Ecuador 2023 — Promoting Inclusivity and Mentoring Underserved Youth through Baseball
- Implemented by Gonzaga University
CONTACT
For more information, contact Rachel Krach.
PAST PROGRAMS
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras—At-Risk Youth Engagement through Basketball
Peru—Women’s Empowerment and Building Female Soccer
Colombia—Social Inclusion and Reconciliation through Baseball and Softball
Mexico—Engaging At-Risk Youth through Soccer
Chile—Engaging At-Risk Girls through Soccer