Sports4Peace in Ethiopia 2026: Bringing Children and Young People Together Through Play
Across Ethiopia, Sports4Peace brings children and young people together through play, promoting teamwork, inclusion, and peaceful relationships. Building a culture of peace, one game at a time.
SPORTS4PEACE NEWS
9/18/20263 min read
The experiences in Alitena, Dawhan, Sa’isi’, Halalise, St Angela Chapel Parish and Holy Saviour Cathedral Parish illustrate how sports and play can bring people together across different community settings.
While the long-term effects of these activities will require continued observation, the enthusiasm of the children, the involvement of parents and the dedication of local animators provide meaningful foundations for further engagement.
Sports4Peace in Ethiopia continues with a simple but important invitation: to play together, learn together and discover how small actions can contribute to more peaceful relationships.
Across communities in Ethiopia, children and young people are discovering how games can create opportunities for friendship, cooperation and peaceful relationships. Through Sports4Peace, ordinary play becomes a way to practise values that matter both on and off the playing field.
In July and September 2026, Sports4Peace activities brought children and young people together in six communities: Alitena, Dawhan, Sa’isi’, Halalise, St Angela Chapel Parish and Holy Saviour Cathedral Parish. Each gathering offered an opportunity to participate in games, interact with others and experience the importance of working together.
Creating spaces for connection
The activities reached communities facing different circumstances. In Alitena, where people were continuing to navigate the effects of conflict and drought, the festival offered children and young people an opportunity to come together through play. Despite a truck breakdown that threatened preparations, support from the Adigrat office and a local monastery helped the activity proceed.
In Dawhan, participants also gathered for a Sports4Peace festival, while in Sa’isi’, the activity created an opportunity for children and young people to experience an organised festival together. For many participants, it was a new experience a reminder that simple activities can open doors to interaction and shared experiences.
At Halalise, the games brought children, animators, facilitators and parents together. Parents did not remain on the sidelines; their participation helped make the gathering a shared community experience. The activity connected the excitement of play with the values of living in solidarity and caring for others.
The joy of playing together
The activities continued into September at St Angela Chapel Parish and Holy Saviour Cathedral Parish. At St Angela, 100 children took part in the second phase of activities, supported by 15 animators and two facilitators. Their enthusiasm was evident in their eagerness to know when they would have another opportunity to play.
At Holy Saviour Cathedral Parish, 120 children joined the festival, supported by 14 animators and two facilitators. Unlike the previous year, the parish did not have a grassy playing field available. Nevertheless, the activity went ahead, bringing joy to children and parents alike. Some children were so eager to continue playing that they asked to do so before registering for school and attending classes.
These moments show why the activities matter beyond the games themselves. The willingness to participate, the excitement of meeting again and the desire to keep playing all point to the value children place on these shared experiences.
A community effort
Behind every festival were animators, facilitators and local community members who helped make the activities possible. Their preparation and commitment created spaces where children and young people could participate, learn from one another and enjoy being together.
The gatherings also demonstrated the importance of adapting to local circumstances. Whether responding to logistical challenges, working with the available playing space or bringing parents into the activities, organisers found ways to keep the focus on participation and connection.
Building peace, one game at a time
Sports4Peace uses play as an accessible way to encourage values such as respect, cooperation, inclusion and solidarity. Each game offers an opportunity to practise these values in a practical setting, with lessons that can extend beyond the playing field.
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