SYCP Initiative takes important step forward following Thailand National Network workshop
The Southeast Asia Sport and Youth Crime Prevention (SYCP) Initiative has taken an important step forward following a Thailand National Network (TNN) workshop which explored inter-agency collaboration and secured alignment on strengthening the role of sport in building safer and more resilient communities.
The workshop, which was attended by cross-government and sector partners, provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of the network, identify shared priorities and begin shaping the next phase of capacity-building activities in Thailand. What began as a discussion about what organisations could do together quickly developed into a wider conversation about what difference a connected and aligned national network could make.
EVIDENCE
Partners explored how sport and physical activity can be used more intentionally as part of wider approaches for prevention, youth development, community safety and social inclusion. The discussion also reinforced the importance of connecting investment, policy, partnerships and evidence if good work is to grow beyond individual projects and contribute to lasting change.
Nicolas Tateossian, Deputy Director for Southeast Asia, Agence Française de développement (AFD), said: “Preventing youth crime through sport is a cross-cutting effort. It brings together sport, justice, education, youth development and community safety. Building working relationships between these institutions takes time. This is what the Thailand National Network is for: to create the connections that allow policies to hold together over time. The programme supported by AFD and International Olympic Committee (IOC) will not last forever. What will remain is the network these institutions build now.”
A significant development from the workshop was the agreement that Dr Suwanna Silpa-Archa, Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand, will Chair the Thailand National Network.
Her leadership will provide important credibility, direction and momentum as the network moves into the next phase of its work. It also strengthens the connection between the TNN and the Olympic Movement, supporting the wider ambition of the Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Initiative to use sport as a platform for positive social impact.
Dr Suwanna Silpa-Archa said: “I am honoured to serve as Chair of the Thailand National Network and grateful for the trust placed in me by our partners. This network represents an important opportunity to bring together organisations from across sport, education, justice, health and community sectors around a shared commitment to supporting young people.
PARTNERSHIPS
“Sport has a unique ability to inspire, connect and empower. When combined with strong partnerships and evidence-informed approaches, it can become a powerful tool for preventing youth crime, promoting inclusion and helping young people reach their full potential.
“I look forward to working with all members of the Thailand National Network to strengthen collaboration, build capacity and create sustainable solutions that will benefit young people and communities across Thailand for many years to come.”
The next step will be to work with members of the TNN to co-design a capacity-building proposal that reflects the needs, strengths and priorities identified by partners. This process will help shape practical activity that supports organisations and cross-sector professionals in Thailand to use sport and physical activity more effectively to prevent youth crime, support vulnerable young people and build safer, healthier and more inclusive communities.
James Mapstone, Chief Executive of the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice (pictured above), said: “Today was a powerful reminder of why collective action matters. The discussion quickly moved beyond what organisations can do together, to what difference a network can make when it is aligned around a shared purpose.
“There was real energy in the room, with partners exploring how sport and physical activity can be used more intentionally to support young people.
“This is a key part of the Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Initiative: aligning people, evidence, policy and investment so that sport can become part of a more connected approach to building safer communities.”
COLLABORATION
The Sport and Youth Crime Prevention Initiative was initiated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and AFD, and delivered by the Alliance of Sport in Criminal Justice in collaboration with Laureus Sport for Good and Upshot.
The Initiative is currently working across Lao PDR, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to strengthen the use of sport and physical activity in approaches to youth crime prevention, social inclusion and safer communities.
The progress made in Thailand marks a positive step forward for the national network and creates a strong foundation for the next phase of collaboration, capacity-building and collective action.