Academic commended by The Israel Ministry of Culture and Sport

Dr Gary Stidder, a physical education lecturer in the School of Sport and Health Sciences was commended by the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sport.

The ceremony was held at the German Sports University based in Cologne and followed Dr Stidder’s contribution to a five-day ‘Sport for Life’ training event. Dr Stidder delivered a series of practical sessions based on the University of Brighton’s pioneering and ground-breaking Football 4 Peace curriculum and methodology to 65 Arab and Jewish Israeli sports leaders.

He was given the special commendation by Regional Director for the Israel Ministry of Culture and Sport, Gazi Nujeidat, at a Gala dinner event.

Sessions included orienteering, trust games and problem-solving activities, as well as football, basketball and orienteering. The purpose was to provide values-based activities designed to promote trust, respect, responsibility, equity and inclusion in preparation for a large national event in Israel in June for boys and girls from 26 different Arab and Jewish communities.

Dr Gary Stidder, Co-founder and Deputy Director of Football 4 Peace International since 2001 said: ”It was an honour for me to receive this award on behalf of Football 4 Peace (F4P) and is testament to the impact that values-based teaching in physical education can have on societies where there are deep social divisions.

“This was the first time the training event has run since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the global travelling restrictions imposed on people around the world. It was also in recognition of the 20^th anniversary of Football 4 Peace International in August 2021.

“F4P is multi-dimensional research, education and social engagement platform that utilizes sport innovatively to deliver generic and bespoke ‘values-based’ palliative training and coaching programmes designed in and for areas suffering from high levels of cross- community conflict and various forms of political disorder and social disintegration.

“The F4P curriculum and associated teaching resources emphasise a holistic approach to the education of trainers and young people through a specific pedagogical model designed to promote emotional well-being, personal development and responsible citizenship.

“Twenty three years ago when I first came to Israel to pilot the inaugural project I never believed that the Football 4 Peace programme would have such an impact on so many people’s lives”.