Sport for Development and Peace: Foundations and Applications

Sport has the incredible power to positively influence the world, and it is with this in mind that the field of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) has seen tremendous growth over the years. Sport can strengthen social ties, advance human rights, aid economic development, promote inclusion, and more.

In Sport for Development and Peace: Foundations and Applications, internationally-recognized SDP experts offer their insights, perspectives, and experiences on a range of topics within the field. The first part of the text focuses on the foundations of SDP, addressing its history, sociological aspects, specific goals―such as development, inclusion, sport participation, and conflict resolution―and political and economic implications. It closes with an evaluation and assessment of SDP programs. The second part examines the application of SDP by providing examples and insights into government involvement in SDP, not-for-profit organizations, and corporate and for-profit enterprises. Finally, the book concludes with a discussion of current trends and future implications of SDP.

Written for current and future SDP managers, developers, and administrators, from the student to the professional, Sport for Development and Peace offers a comprehensive look at the many substantive and interconnected SDP topics in order to positively impact this fast-growing field.

Robert E. Baker is a professor in the School of Sport Recreation and Tourism Management and the director of the Center for Sport Management at George Mason University. He is currently serving as the interim dean of the College of Education and Human Development. He has served as president of the North American Society for Sport Management, as a founding commissioner of the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation, and a founding board member of the World Association of Sport Management. Dr. Baker has received NASSM’s Distinguished Sport Management Educator Award and NASPE’s Outstanding Achievement in Sport Management Award. In addition to numerous books and peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Baker has served as the principal investigator on over $7 million in grants supporting sport diplomacy projects.

Craig Esherick is an associate professor in the School of Sport Recreation and Tourism Management and associate director of the Center for Sport Management at George Mason University. He also serves as the academic program coordinator for the sport management program. He engaged in a cooperative agreement with the US Department of State via the Sport Visitors program for seven years. Before his move to academia, he was a basketball player and basketball coach at Georgetown University. Esherick also participated in the Summer Olympics in 1988 in Seoul, Korea as an assistant coach for the US Men’s Olympic basketball team.

Pamela Hudson Baker is an associate professor in and director of the Division of Special Education and disAbility Research. She also serves in a dual appointment with the Office of the Provost focusing on the expansion of online undergraduate academic programs. In addition to numerous presentations and publications, Dr. Baker has served as an investigator on a variety of state and federal grants to support the responsible inclusion of individuals with disabilities across a variety of settings. These projects have focused on sport diplomacy, special education leadership, and teacher preparation with funding in excess of $14 million dollars.