TOP TENSTRENGTHS 4 OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE GLOBAL SPORTS MENTORING PROGRAM In partnership with the University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace, and Society
BACKGROUND
Leveraging sport as a low-cost, high impact tool to address socio-political issues worldwide, the Global Sports Mentoring Program (GSMP) was launched in 2012 by the U.S. Department of State and espnW. During the immersive, five-week program, international delegates cultivate leadership and business skills from U.S.-based mentors and develop strategic social businesses using sport and physical activity to empower women and girls and persons with disabilities in their home countries. Since 2012, we, at the University of Tennessee Center for Sport, Peace, and Society (CSPS), have served as the implementing partner. Now, as we dig deeper into our monitoring and evaluation processes, we’re excited to share with you the Top Ten Strengths of the GSMP, according to international delegates and U.S.-based mentors.
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THE MOST VALUABLE ASPECT OF THE GSMP IS CREATING A TRIBE OF SISTERS.
The sisterhood we created is one that will give us all the support and strength we need. It’s a domino effect—creating tribes of strong women who support each other and also keep building more strong women in their communities.
1 CREATING A GLOBAL NETWORK Simply stated, the GSMP has created a global network of changemakers working to make a positive difference in their communities—from grassroots levels to governance—with sport as their key platform for change. Delegates and mentors consistently identify the impact of meeting “people from all over the world” who share their “interests and passion” as a key strength of the GSMP. Furthermore, the GSMP provides delegates
access to resources, a community of support, and opportunities to make “lasting connections with influential leaders” and to “exchange ideas and best practices.” Mentors also indicated that “bonding among delegates and with mentor organizations has lasting impact” and that the GSMP network is “simply amazing.” Upon return to their home countries, delegates are also connected to the digital network of alumni where strategic relationships and partnerships are formed based on geographic region, thematic area, and nature of work.
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EMPOWERING A NEW GENERATION Delegates consistently highlighted personal development and feelings of empowerment as key impact areas of the GSMP. They also emphasized that they see and think differently because of these gains and that they “no longer feel alone” in their journey of social change. The GSMP also led delegates to feelings of empowerment by helping them feel “stronger and braver” and “giving [them] power.”
AQUIRING SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE Delegates reported statistically significant increases in leadership skills, social inclusion and community development techniques, and knowledge of social innovation and entrepreneurship. They also learned how “sport can be used in different ways,” including adaptive sports and inclusive physical activity, gained “new ideas that are applicable in my country,” and found “everything that I have been looking for to support my community.”
Indeed, creating spaces for open, honest dialogue where vulnerability and support can lead to empowerment and personal growth is a key objective of the CSPS curriculum, ”Better World,” which has been impemented for all cohorts of the GSMP.
These outcomes reflect the intentionality of program planning, where activities are unified across themes and where delegates are encouraged to take ownership of and investment in the learning process.
DEVELOPING MOTIVATION TO GIVE BACK Through their experience in the GSMP, delegates and mentors developed increased motivation to get more involved in their communities and give back in meaningful ways. Specifically, one delegate said, “The mentorship aspect made me realize that there’s more I can contribute to women in my society than what I am currently doing.”
5 SUPPORTING PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS Delegates and mentors indicated that a strength of the GSMP is the built-in systematic support, which includes mentor training prior to the program, weekly check-in calls during the mentorship, and guidance for delegates upon return home. One mentor specifically said this approach enables “mentors and delegates to reach their full potential.”
6 PROGRAM COMMUNICATION Mentors identified “communication from start to finish” as a strength of the GSMP, including storytelling on social media, program scheduling, and including mentors throughout the matching process.
7 MATCHING DELEGATES AND MENTORS Mentors also identified “intentionality of matching delegates to their mentors” as a strength of the GSMP, including many who described it as a “perfect match based on hospitality, relationships, and knowledge gained.”
8 PROGRAM PROFESSIONALISM Mentors described the GSMP as “well-organized
and structured” and led by “caring, fun, and professional facilitators” who are “knowledgeable, dedicated, and culturally aware.”
9 INCREASING GLOBAL AWARENESS Through their experience, mentors developed increased global awareness and said that the GSMP “opens our eyes here in the U.S. to the significant challenges women around the world are facing” and helped them gain “global perspective in our industry.”
10 CREATING GLOBAL CHANGE Finally, mentors identifed “creating global impact” as a strength of the GSMP and specifically indicated that providing delegates opportunities to “develop meaningful plans to improve their communities” was “valuable and truly inspiring.”
"" THIS IS A CHANGING POINT IN MY LIFE.
[The GSMP] made me commit myself to being a better role model to others, to inspire more people in the future. This program changed me, and now we can change the world together.
PARTICIPANT DEMOGRAPHICS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF CHANGEMAKERS
PARTICIPANTS FROM EVERY REGION OF THE WORLD
PARTICIPANTS BY TYPE 48
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38 29
Disability rights program Delegates
Empowering women program Mentors
66%
OF DELEGATES ARE WOMEN
34%
AVERAGE DELEGATE AGE
34 FOCUS OF IMPACT 51% WOMEN & GIRLS 49% PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
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OF DELEGATES ARE MEN
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19% WORK IN OLYMPIC OR PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT 17% WORK IN JOURNALISM AND MEDIA 15% WORK AT A SPORTS LEAGUE 13% WORK IN GOVERNMENT
NOTE: Data includes responses from delegates and mentors from six GSMP cohorts between 2016-2018 and represents 94 delegates from 56 countries and 67 mentors from 26 organizations.
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