Keynotes 2018
Dr. Oscar Mwaanga
Dr. Oscar Mwaanga is an Associate Professor is Sport, Education and Development at Southampton Solent University and the CEO of EduMove Group LtD (UK). He obtained his Diploma in Education from Nkrumah Teachers College and his BSc and MSc from the Norwegian University of Sport Science. He obtained his PhD from Leeds Beckett University (UK).
At the turn of the last century, Dr. Mwaanga co-pioneered the SDP movement in Zambia and set up EduSport Foundation in 1997 as the first SDP organisation in Zambia. Other SDP and educational programmes he inspired include the Kicking AIDS Out, the Go Sisters, the formation the Physical Education Association of Zambia (PETAZ) and the setting-up of the first ever diploma in sport at the University of Zambia. His recent work in EduMove innovatively addresses physical inactivity, childhood obesity and disengaged learning via the promotion of Physically Active Learning and Teaching (PATL) in UK schools.
Abstract
‘Changing the conversation and narrative to alter the course of the SDP voyage’: Critical reflections from a 20 years engagement in SDP.
Undoubtedly, the enthusiasm laden early years of the current SDP movement are slowly settling down, giving way to more realistic criticism that questions whether the SDP projects have delivered development to the intended target groups particularly in the so called ‘global south’ (Mwaanga and Adeosun, 2017). On the African side, there is a resounding fear that SDP will end up as another failed development intervention, a label which has become synonymous with international development aid.
Indeed, contemporary SDP scholars (e.g., Hayhurst, 2009; Spaaij, 2012; Giulianotti, 2004; Banda and Mwaanga, 2014) are starting to critique the capacity and credibility of the SDP projects claims to deliver development outcomes. This paper takes this effort further by drawing on lessons from my 20 years multiple engagement in SDP as an activist, practitioner, innovator and academic. To help uncover realistic ways to alter the trajectory of the international SDP project, the paper identifies and critically examines the issues and voices constructing the SDP conversation and narrative. The analysis will centralise the role of ideology and social theory in the critique and progressive recommendations particularly for the Zambian SDP project.
Dr. Davies Banda
Dr Banda obtained his teaching qualifications at Kitwe Teachers College (primary education), Nkrumah Teachers College (secondary education) and University of Leeds (Higher Education). He obtained both his MSc and PhD qualifications from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. He is currently working as a Programme Director for the
BSc Sport and Recreation Management Programme at University of Edinburgh in Scotland, United Kingdom. He also undertakes consultancy work for international organisations in Zambia and across Europe focusing sport, education, development, volunteering and
corporate social responsibility.
Abstract
Corporatism and beyond: Re-claiming state influence in sport (and physical education)
delivery in Zambia
The characteristics of state corporatism in Zambia can evidently be argued in favour of the provision of sport and leisure in urban areas. Neo-liberalism is strongly criticised for its
destabilisation of the local systems which perhaps needed state protectionism when
responding to the demands for economic privatisation by the international financial
institutions (IFIs). Zambia’s state corporatism, despite its detrimental effects on the nation’s
economy as a whole, delivered social services that were beneficial to the sports sector
(Banda, 2010). Today, market failures in sport infrastructure provision are evident and state-
driven interventionist approaches are equally witnessed through the construction of two
stadia for the national sport, football. The paper will highlight the features of the political
regime that were negative to governing sport yet played a key role in rowing (and ‘steering’)
state corporations to meet the demand for sport and leisure, particularly those of young
people.
The paper also focuses on the changing nature of the governance of sport underpinned by
theoretical debates surrounding the co-production, co-management and co-governance of
sport (Groeneveld, 2009). The contemporary approach by the Zambian state seeking to
deliver both sport development and sport-for- development outcomes has recognised the role
and value of wider stakeholder interactions through active participation in agenda setting,
policy design and implementation. The emergence of sport-for- development non-
governmental organisations (SfD NGOs) has helped bring together non-state and state
actors through foreign funded projects (Lindsey and Banda, 2010). The paper questions the
lack of local initiatives, driven by the state, which demonstrate a strong rejection of external
interference similar to the economic reforms by the IFIs highlighted above. While recent
stakeholder interactions demonstrate the steering role of the state in physical education and
sport policy design (Banda and Chipande, forthcoming), external actors are still visibly
making demands or rowing the policy development.
Machacha Shepande
Head of Sport African Union Commission
Senior Sports Officer
African Union Commission
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Previous positions:
Director of Planning, Supreme Council for Sport in Africa
Football Association of Zambia General Secretary
National Sports Council of Zambia General Secretary
Education:
Masters in Sociology and development Studies
Masters in Leading Innovation and Change
BA Education
Serves on the following international Boards:
Commonwealth Advisory Board on Sport
World Anti-doping Executive and Foundation Board
Summary of the Keynote Address
The African Union recognizes the pivotal role sport plays as a catalyst to achieve broader African Union Agenda 2063 and global development agenda, hence, the inclusion of a Faculty on Sport and Development within the Pan-African University is of vital importance. This decision is in view of the growing evidence and recognition that well-designed sport programmes designed holistically to incorporate the best practices, initiatives and values of sport can contribute to broader government development agenda as well as Agenda 2063 and SDGs. Sport being cross-cutting in nature, the faculty it is envisaged to support development efforts to address the aspiration of the Agenda 2063.
In addition, due to the shortage of training opportunities for Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) experts and decision makers, the potential of sport as a tool for individual and community change remains under-utilized and poorly understood. To this end, the Faculty on Sport and Development within the Pan-African University is aimed at delivering courses to empower sports experts and decision makers with core competencies to develop and evaluate sport for social change initiatives.
