PeacePlayers International

You’ve been with us over the last 20 years, help us slam dunk the next 20 with us as a SLAMBASSADOR!? The youth of today and tomorrow are facing increasingly polarized, deeply divided, and inequitable communities around the globe. The young leaders of PeacePlayers are creating ripple effects of change in individual, systemic, and global patterns of conflict and violence. It is a long game, and only with a movement of people like you supporting our youth, is it possible. Opt into monthly giving below and join us on the front lines of our community peacebuilding efforts as a SLAMbassador!? https://lnkd.in/efXd3vuS

Coach Rashawn (Baltimore), Coach Wray (Brooklyn), LaToya Fisher (Global Project Manager), working with NIKE's LaTeesha Christian (Coordinator, Social & Community Impact) on a virtual Self-Efficacy Workshop for the Enhancing Global Connections project. Because every young person deserves positive role models and a chance to be their best, most confident selves - no matter where they come from. Thank you, LaTeesha, for your insight and feedback and the session was a huge success (more on that later)! PeacePlayers' Enhancing Global Connections is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation. The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute

Just in time for the launch of fall programming, we're excited to announce that we've renewed our partnership with the NBA Foundation! We're working together to make sure that our leadership skill building programs translate into job opportunities for Black youth in Brooklyn, Detroit and Los Angeles. We're incredibly grateful for this impactful collaboration. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dFJTXQRm

We're so proud of our partnership with The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute and are honored to help kick off their fall 2024 #Breakouts campaign, which dives into how virtual connections and learning can have a hand in advancing the UN #SDGs. See what our team has to say about it.

For our participants, the PeacePlayers Global Exchange was more than just a trip; it was an eye-opening adventure that brought the world within reach, allowed the youth to see the world in new ways, and made the impossible seem possible. And the impact of this has been overwhelming: 89% of participants feel that they gained leadership skills through the Exchange; 90% feel comfortable learning new cultural perspectives; and 89% feel comfortable sharing their own culture with others. And that’s just after 10 days! Watch Coach Matt from PeacePlayers Brooklyn share how the Global Exchange helped cultivate the next generation of leaders. On behalf of our participants and coaches, thank you to FHI360 and the U.S. Department of State for investing in this unique experience. The Global Exchange also marked a historic first for PeacePlayers South Africa, hosting other PeacePlayers sites for the first time. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase their program, communities, history, and culture. The Exchange also played a key role in partnerships and outreach, helping make PeacePlayers a household name in South Africa as a leading sport for development organization in the country. There are many people who made all this possible. To the parents, thank you for your trust. To our dedicated coaches — your hard work and dedication helped to create an environment where our participants could thrive, learn, and grow. To the participants and the entire PeacePlayers community, you continue to show us that change is not only possible but is happening right now. Additionally, a special thank you to our partners who made the Global Exchange possible:? FHI 360 U.S. Department of State Brand South Africa U.S. Consul General Josie Ratcliffe and the U.S. Consulate in Durban Zabelo Hlabisa, Miss Earth South Africa 2023 Old Mutual Foundation Absolute SA eThekwini Basketball Association eThekwini Municipality (Sports Development & Recreation) PeacePlayers South Africa work doesn’t stop at the Global Exchange. Every year, they work with 600 young people, ages 9-35, through year-round basketball training, conflict resolution education and leadership development activities. Stay tuned to their next big event – the City Wide Tournament, which brings together hundreds of youth from the greater Durban community. Coming October 26!

For our participants, the PeacePlayers Global Exchange was more than just a trip; it was an eye-opening adventure that brought the world within reach, allowed the youth to see the world in new ways, and made the impossible seem possible. And the impact of this has been overwhelming: 89% of participants feel that they gained leadership skills through the Exchange; 90% feel comfortable learning new cultural perspectives; and 89% feel comfortable sharing their own culture with others. And that’s just after 10 days! Watch Coach Matt from PeacePlayers Brooklyn share how the Global Exchange helped cultivate the next generation of leaders. On behalf of our participants and coaches, thank you to FHI360 and the U.S. Department of State for investing in this unique experience. The Global Exchange also marked a historic first for PeacePlayers South Africa, hosting other PeacePlayers sites for the first time. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase their program, communities, history, and culture. The Exchange also played a key role in partnerships and outreach, helping make PeacePlayers a household name in South Africa as a leading sport for development organization in the country. There are many people who made all this possible. To the parents, thank you for your trust. To our dedicated coaches — your hard work and dedication helped to create an environment where our participants could thrive, learn, and grow. To the participants and the entire PeacePlayers community, you continue to show us that change is not only possible but is happening right now. Additionally, a special thank you to our partners who made the Global Exchange possible:? FHI 360 U.S. Department of State Brand South Africa U.S. Consul General Josie Ratcliffe and the U.S. Consulate in Durban Zabelo Hlabisa, Miss Earth South Africa 2023 Old Mutual Foundation Absolute SA eThekwini Basketball Association eThekwini Municipality (Sports Development & Recreation) PeacePlayers South Africa work doesn’t stop at the Global Exchange. Every year, they work with 600 young people, ages 9-35, through year-round basketball training, conflict resolution education and leadership development activities. Stay tuned to their next big event – the City Wide Tournament, which brings together hundreds of youth from the greater Durban community. Coming October 26!

What is the impact of virtual global connections? "In one word: access." That's what Global Project Manager LaToya Fisher sees as she makes strides to create intentional virtual youth development programming for our youth all over the world. "Access to participants across the sites to have conversations and participate in cultural learning sessions together. Access to more frequent engagement and team building with other sites. Access to special guests or resources." ? ? Enhancing Global Connections is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family. The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute

As part of the PeacePlayers Global Exchange, which commenced last week in Durban, youth from the PeacePlayers United States, PeacePlayers - Northern Ireland and PeacePlayers South Africa have already had many memorable experiences together. But let’s take a look at how it all started - the Opening Ceremony, a cultural showcase embedded in strategic partnerships that helped set the stage for the entire Exchange. The Opening Ceremony gave young PeacePlayers a closer look at the different cultures that make up Durban - and to see the diverse, complex community that makes up South Africa. Through dance, the ceremony gave youth a first-hand immersion in Zulu culture. Zulu are the largest ethnic group in Durban and KwaZulu Natal Province overall - affectionately known as the Zulu Kingdom. And to highlight the influence of Durban’s significant Indian community, the ceremony also included a traditional Indian dance performance by local dancer Diya Padayachee. The ceremony also created space for youth to mingle and learn more about the week ahead. In addition, it was an opportunity for PeacePlayers South Africa to highlight their program, team and community impact and to build excitement surrounding the exchange. At the ceremony, we were honored to host a number of strategic partners: Jane Merriman from FHI 360 (Exchanges360 at FHI 360), who has joined us for the duration of the exchange; and George Khoza of Brand South Africa. Both FHI360 and Brand South Africa are vital partners that have helped make the Global Exchange possible. We also had the immense privilege of hosting U.S. Consul General Josie Ratcliffe, who delivered a keynote address, as well as additional guests from the U.S. Consulate in Durban. Another exciting guest was Zabelo Hlabisa, Miss Earth South Africa 2023, currently an ambassador for Brand South Africa. We also want to thank our guests from Old Mutual Foundation, Absolute SA, eThekwini Basketball Association and eThekwini Municipality (Sports Development & Recreation). We are so glad you were able to join us. And after all the thank yous to our guests, we owe a giant thank you to our most gracious host, the The Pencil Members Club. Without your beautiful venue, the opening ceremony would not have been the same. At every moment of the ceremony, PeacePlayers youth were exposed to the culture and overall vibe of South Africa, experiencing it not as a monolith, but as a vibrant, diverse community - a true rainbow nation.

Today, PeacePlayers youth from Northern Ireland and the United States made the long trip to Durban South Africa for 10 days of basketball, leadership training, and cultural learning - like getting a taste of South Africa's 11 official languages. All year round, our independent, local sites in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, the United States and South Africa are using basketball to create peaceful, thriving communities, each in their own way. Coming together takes that local impact and multiplies it, broadening our PeacePlayers community, and facilitating the sharing of ideas and experience. The Global Exchange is a historic opportunity, marking the first time that PeacePlayers South Africa is hosting other PeacePlayers sites from around the world. Hosting is a prime chance for PeacePlayers SA to showcase their program, communities, history and culture, and to connect their coaches and participants with the wider PeacePlayers movement. So much of what we want for our youth is embedded in youth travel and global connections: resilience, adaptability, effective communication, and the ability to see humanity in others, no matter who they are and where they come from – but most of all: we want futures full of curiosity and choice that stretch the bounds of what seems possible. Often these benefits are reserved for a privileged few who can afford costly airfare and hotel fees. We are making these life-changing experiences accessible to many youth who would ordinarily be priced out of this life-changing experience. This is possible thanks to our dedicated partners, such as FHI 360, a global organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives.

Patrice and Stu from PeacePlayers Northern Ireland one of several teams working together to build virtual sessions for PeacePlayers youth as well as for youth from other sports for development organizations around the world. Their virtual training on building stereotypes will join a holistic curriculum that also includes gamification, mental health, self-efficacy, leading with trust and belonging, data and storytelling, and sport and positive psychology. Combined, these sessions empower youth to create meaningful connections in their communities and beyond. Enhancing Global Connections is funded by the Stevens Initiative, which is housed at the Aspen Institute and is supported by the Bezos Family Foundation.