SPORTS DEVELOPMENT

Sports Development



Sports Development

Abstract

There is increasing evidence that NGOs and Government agencies are turning to sport events as a tool for reconciliation and inter-community development (Burnett, 2006; Gasser & Levinsen, 2004; Stidder & Haasner, 2007; Sugden, 2006), yet the different roles and responsibilities of the organising 'change agent' within development projects have not received much empirical investigation. To address this gap, this paper analyses the different roles and responsibilities of an international sport event change agent in the ethnically divided Sri Lanka. Following an interpretivist mode of inquiry, findings of this research are derived from the analysis of 2 focus groups and 35 in-depth interviews with Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and international event stakeholders. Findings suggest that the change agent holds nine key roles and responsibilities in the inter-community development process. These are being an agent for community participation; a trust builder; a networker; a leader; a socially responsible advocate; a resource developer; a proactive innovator; a financial supporter; and a strategic planner for the long-term sustainability of projects. This research suggests that it is important to fulfil these roles to secure active community participation, to achieve positive socio cultural event impacts and outcomes, and to provide a strategic framework for sustainable inter-community development.

Introduction

According to Arai and Pedlar (2003), three interrelated crises are apparent at the commencement of the 21st century: a political crisis, a social crisis, and an identity crisis. On the political level - particularly in multicultural societies governments have to deal with demands and requirements from different groups representing specific cultures, values and ideas. On a social level - particularly within divided countries communities struggle to live in peace and harmony with their neighbors, which may result in intergroup conflicts and in extreme cases, civil war. On the identity level, people are having difficulties in connecting emotionally with others, their communities, ethnic groups or homeland. In dealing with these crises, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have been promoting community participation ideals, programs and projects to engage people, to give them a voice, and connect them with others in a meaningful way.

International voluntary agencies such as the International Centre for Ethnic Studies, as well as national conflict resolution organizations such as the National Peace Council have been largely enthusiastic about the active involvement of the community into social development programs.

The community participation approach is now seen as an innovative and practicable form of social development, in which particular interest is given to the idea of 'guided self help' (Midgley, 1986; Orjuela, 2003; Uruena, 2004). Many experts believe that communities - particularly those in developing countries - cannot function autonomously without the guidance and help of skilled 'change agents', which support and teach them how to cooperate and use their capacities effectively (Ife, 1995; Lawson, 2005; Uruena, 2004).

Adapted from Michell's (1990) definition of 'third parties', a change agent is defined as: an external party who helps adversaries establish contact, open negotiations and develop projects for cooperation and sustainable development to end a dispute in a mutually satisfactory ...