Sports4Peace provides holistic peace education, using sports and games as methods of social learning.
Overview
Background
It was developed by Dr Alois Hechenberger, an Austrian and international expert in play leadership and peace education. The approach has been tested in many workshops in Europe, Latin America, India, and Africa.
Impact Highlights
In 2015 and 2016, several weeks of Sports4Peace activities were implemented successfully in Rumbek in war-torn South Sudan, with unexpected impact, reaching out to dozens of teachers and hundreds of children and youth.
In 2023, Sports4Peace was held in Nairobi and Kakuma Refugee cam,p targeting mostly refugees and schools with different ethnical backgrounds. In 2024, Sports4Peace will be implemented in Moroto (Uganda), Rumbek (South Sudan), and in various parts of Kenya, while in 2025, the activities were done mainly in Burundi and Ethiopia (Modjo, Addis Ababa and Adigrat -Tigray)
Based on this experience, this project has extended its activities in the year 2026 to Madagascar and Rwanda. While in Kenya, Burundi and Uganda, it continues with grassroots activities
Partners & Collaborators
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Ethiopia
Local dioceses
Focolare communities.
Methodology
A “dice” with six “Sports4Peace-Rules” is at the core of the activities. This dice thrown before the action reminds the players of helpful attitudes for peaceful interaction:
DO YOUR BEST – Commit yourself completely and with joy
PLAY FAIR – Be honest with yourself and others
HANG IN – Don’t give up, even when it is difficult
TAKE CARE OF – Respect everybody; each one is important
WORK AS A TEAM – We can reach big aims only together
CELEBRATE – Enjoy the success of the other as your own
To create awareness among children, teenagers, youth, and their group animators or teachers on peaceful coexistence. They experience and learn this together through interaction in games and sports the attitudes and skills that favor peaceful coexistence, fraternity, cooperation, teamwork, and conflict solution. Empower their capacity so that they become promoters of peace and reconciliation at the grassroots in their local communities.
Objectives
Gallery
Sports4Peace Ethiopia 2025
Between August 12 and 31, 2025, Ethiopia hosted a remarkable initiative aimed at rebuilding hope and unity through sports. The Sports4Peace activities, held in the cities of Mojo, Addis Ababa, and Adigrat, brought together 80 trained youth animators who later facilitated four vibrant game festivals involving more than 600 children, teenagers, and young people.
Sports4Peace – Mini Workshop in Cyangugu Diocese, Nkombo Island, Rwanda
On 7–8 August 2026, a mini-workshop bringing together 30 participants was held at the Centre Diocésain de Pastorale Incuti in Cyangugu Diocese.
Sports4Peace in Ethiopia 2026
Alitena, Dawhan, Sa’isi’, Halalise, St Angela Chapel Parish and Holy Saviour Cathedral Parish
Testimonials
”Every day, they strive to improve their service to the clients by developing the right blend of technology and creativity to make sure every job done is done as efficiently as possible.”
- Clarice Turner
”Every day, they strive to improve their service to the clients by developing the right blend of technology and creativity to make sure every job done is done as efficiently as possible.”
- Brian Moten
Connect with our projects
Project Office of the Focolare Movement in Eastern Africa
info@fonafrica.org
+254-180-817-923
© 2026 Project Office of the Focolare Movement in Eastern Africa - Focolare NewHumanity Africa. All rights reserved.
Mariapolis Piero, Kenyatta Road off Thika Highway Exit 14
P.O. Box 552 - 01001 Kalimoni Juja
Our Affiliations
New Humanity of the Focolare Movement
Focolare Movement (International Website)
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