This post is part of the group contribution and best practices shared during the Euro-Mediterranean Training Course: Youth Work Preventing Violent Extremism, implemented by the Association of Human Rights Educators AHEAD from the 14th till the 21st October 2018 in Comarruga (Tarragona).
Background:
GAME is a Top 200 NGO founded in 2002 and begin to be implemented in Jordan in 2018 by JORDAN Youth Innovation Forum with a mission to create lasting social change through youth-led street sports and culture. The activities offered in less advantaged neighborhoods in Denmark, Lebanon, and Jordan are a fusion of urban sports, dance, and urban culture. Street sports have a role to play in fragile neighborhoods and societies to prevent conflicts and build a more stable and better future. GAME has turned to the idea of using sports as a vehicle for social change and through the years the organization has gained extensive experiences, which has allowed for the development of innovative methods to increase the development aspects of the activities.
JORDAN Youth Innovation Forum Logo
Objectives:
GAME’s mission is to create lasting social change through youth-led street sports and culture in order to bridge between differences. By engaging urban youths in physical activities, GAME strives to create empowerment, prevent conflict, and improve health across social, religious and ethnic divides. Moreover, we aim to eradicate the roots causing violent extremism. strengthening social inclusion and promote voluntary activity amongst disadvantaged children and youth. In the long run, our effort to fulfill our vision we strive to be:
• Innovative – Initiating cycles of enduring change
• Inclusive – Encouraging and engaging broadly
• Informally professional – Timely grassroots competence
• Sustainable – Long-term local and global focus
How to achieve these goals:
GAME offers various activities where you can join training sessions and participate in events we organize the activities in GAME ZONES in residential areas. Every year, GAME Jordan conducts weekly training sessions in street basket, dance classes, street soccer in the so-called GAME zones. Each zone is administered by a group of dedicated volunteers and coaches who teach the youth of these areas how to work in a goal-oriented fashion through a range of comprehensive training exercises.
Target groups:
Children (8-16)
Playmakers (17-25)
Our target groups are those people:
• Having less opportunities
• Marginalized
• Disadvantaged people.
Expected outcomes:
• Developing a positive identity and strengthened self-worth amongst the individual participants with the over-arching aim of improving health and curbing crime.
• Increase entrepreneurial and organizational capabilities amongst the youth