Generations for Peace is preparing to open the first-ever institute dedicated to researching the effectiveness of sport for peace and development, Prince Feisal Al-Hussein of Jordan revealed in London this month. The doors will officially open May 4 in Amman under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan and in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge and other leaders from the world of sport and the world of peace and development.
Prince Feisal founded Generations for Peace on 2007, is President of the Jordan Olympic Committee and is an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member; he sees the opening of the institute as a significant step forward for his organization, one of only two officially recognized by the IOC.
“We think we’ve seen some very impressive numbers and it is very, very encouraging, and we are looking forward to this year to work on consolidating that,” Prince Feisal said.
“The Generations for Peace Institute is basically the research arm of Generations for Peace – however we are looking at serving the sport for peace and development community as a whole,” explained Princess Sarah Al-Feisal, the Chief Executive of Generations for Peace
Since launch, Generations for Peace has reached out to 62,000 children in regions of conflict. This has been achieved through seven camps that have trained over 500 delegates and 4200 youth leaders who have tried to make a difference in 46 countries in three continents.
But those who run the organization admit that the numbers don’t provide enough of an understanding of how effective the program is in meeting goals.
“Working in this field we’ve recognized that there is a great knowledge gap and there is a great lack of research and studies when it comes to the real contribution and impact on the ground sport can make,” Princess Sarah said.
“What we’re hoping is that [the Institute] will help guide strategy and the vision.”
The Institute will set a research agenda and will initially employ two full-time staff and offer scholarships to junior and senior researchers. Generations for Peace offers a masters degree program on conflict resolution in conjuction with Georgetown University.
The programs are primarily funded by the Jordan Olympic Committee, however contributions from sponsors and individual donors, both domestic and international, are helping bolster support.
Princess Sarah believes that regardless of numbers and research, the program is already having a visible impact. In an interview with GamesBids.com she said “some of it can be measured, other times it is hard to measure, but there are certain things that made a difference.”
“If it’s the first time we’re bringing people together, and that ended without any conflict arising during that meet whether it was for 2 to 5 hours or less – that is a sign of success, that you were able to do something regardless of however small a contribution.
“It’s taking baby steps and it is a learning process in each of the countries we’re in because yes, not one size fits all but exchange and knowledge and expertise and making sure there is dialog will help us succeed and have greater impact.
“But when it comes to qualitative, quantitative – that’s what we’re hoping to do through the institute.
“We’re hoping through the institute as well to be able to showcase the contribution and the impact so that there is more investment from private and public donors toward the field.”
