Using positive youth development through sport to promote the United Nations Millenium Development goals

Abstract

In 2000, the United Nations (UN) hosted a world summit to set their major goals and objectives. This summit produced the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight quantified goals that addressed key social problems in the world. The UN has recognized the potential of sport and physical activity settings for addressing the MDGs. The coach plays the primary role in shaping the youth sport environment, and consequently has a major impact on the quality of youths' experience in sport. Framed around the principles of positive youth development, this study developed and implemented sport-related activities which addressed the UN MDGs of health, education, and empowering women. Participants included six youth sport coaches from both recreational and competitive leagues. Multiple methods were used to collect data. Coaches perceived the project as successful and the activities were seen as beneficial for athletes and for the team. In particular, the coaches believed the activities improved the athletes' values towards health, education, and empowering women. In addition, coaches believed the activities increased team cohesion and their players showed more caring, compassion, and character (indicators of PYD). Overall, results demonstrated that typical youth sport settings can be used to teach citizenship skills and promote PYD.