May 21, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Intervida promotes sports practice to counteract the culture of violence in the southern Sudan
Madrid (20/05/2008). Historically, the border area between the southern Sudan, Uganda and Kenya has been one of conflict between different ethnic groups which refuse to accept politically established borders. The culture of violence has become a way of life for many young warriors.
The main activity of these youths is to attack livestock, which has always been a strong cultural element, which important value for the livestock breeding communities and the identities of the breeders.
These attacks, even when arising after a death, are not generally considered crimes, since in majority of cases these are approved by all strata of society (leaders, witch doctors and women). In many cases, the raids are organized to take vengeance and form a part of the warriors’ daily lives, as the only means for building community and testing their manhood and value as warriors.
Given the lack of unity in this part of Africa, the scarce access to services and the political, social, economic and environmental instability, as well as many years of violence, makes reconstruction in this area a great challenge for the border countries following years of conflict. Ethnic problems and political divisions are issues which, despite their importance, take a back seat to vital issues such as hunger. Over the years, the war has contributed to the instability of the relationships between different ethnic groups, in which the violence has increased due to the extent of firearms possession.
INTERVIDA, in collaboration with Pax Christi Netherlands and other local NGOs, aims to bring different ethnic groups in the same area together through sports activities in order to reduce interethnic conflicts. Sports can help achieve peace because they promote group responsibility, teamwork, and diverse unions; the playing field is also a great place to relax, form friendships and learn values such as peace, while pacifically resolving conflicts.
The overall aim of this program is to contribute to peace in the region through sports as a means of reducing violence and livestock raids, while encouraging peace and social cohesion.
Sports have been chosen as a way to initiate relationship between the communities. If the population gathers regularly to practice sports and other activities towards building peace, the young warriors may be better able to express their needs, aspirations and problems. Sports and the way teams work also expresses the traditional systems of African societies.
With this project, INTERVIDA aims to create ties through sports and other activities to build peace among young warriors and historically affected communities towards preventing and resolving violent conflicts. Through sports and other activities, the young warriors and community members contribute to fostering sustainable peace. This also involves policies, so that they can express their needs, aspirations and difficulties and can use pubic spaces in an appropriate way, as well as the services they have available to them, which over the long run can help them to influence political decision-making.
About INTERVIDA
FUNDACIÓN INTERVIDA is a nonpartisan, nondenominational and independent development NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its objective is to contribute to sustainable human development towards improving the living conditions of the most disadvantaged communities around the world. Currently, INTERVIDA is active in various countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia, offering its support to nearly five million people.
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