Olympian Emily Cook Empower Children Through Sport

In 2010 Right To Play's activities in Jordan were implemented in 133 schools, kindergartens, and centers for rehabilitation, women and youth. The program is comprised of several activities which work together to achieve our objectives. In 2010, the Children Taking the Lead program aims to contribute to the change in those attitudes that underlie a child’s exclusion from sport and play activities, which often mirror the reason for their exclusion from participation in their communities and their own lives. Right To Play has finalized an updated and comprehensive Child Protection Policy with internal and external technical support, which project staff in Jordan will adapt to their specific context and develop an action plan. A specific focus will be to ensure that all program staff and participants are familiarized with existing protection policies and referrals. Right To Play’s work emphasises the guiding principles of international conventions as key to ensuring participation of children in the planning and decision-making of the programs which they will be involved in. Sport and play is viewed as a child friendly tool to build trust and healthy interactive relationships between children and adults, and among peers, leading to environments where children feel their voices are heard and they are an integral part of communities and to advance child protection within communities. To foster the life skills and the healthy development of children, Right To Play conducts regular focus group discussions and facilitates sensitization on health and social issues. There is ongoing implementation of regular activities for approximately 20,000 children and youth in structured sport and play activities. Activities aimed to promote the protection and inclusion of Jordanian children range from technical training for Right To Play staff and partners in child protection and rights to the rehabilitation of two play spaces and classrooms to ensure safe play and learning environments. All activities done are in compliance with the Right To Play Child Protection Policy. Leadership among girls and women is a cornerstone of Right To Play programs. In Jordan this is manifested as participation in national government and civil society gender networks as well as the development and supporting of coach networks and the ensured participation of female coaches at coach network meetings. Focus group discussions also figure prominently in Right To Play's efforts in conflict prevention and community cohesion. These are conducted in conjunction with the facilitation of community sensitization on conflict resolution. Additionally, an annual sport and play festival to celebrate the International Day of Peace is also held. Finally, the development of institutional capacity by local groups is encouraged by program implementation planning/ reviewing with Right To Play partners and stakeholders. Seven technical trainings are conducted to enhance the capacity in program planning, management, and monitoring and evaluation for Right To Play staff and partners. Two inter-country program development workshops are also facilitated by Right To Play and its partners in Jordan. All the activities undertaken during Right To Play's program in Jordan are done to facilitate the outcomes of children’s' improved learning and interaction among peers, a child-focused and safe environment, the adoption by children and community leaders of healthy practices regarding communicable and non-communicable diseases, and improved social cohesion among vulnerable and marginalized groups.