Date of Award

5-31-2022

Document Type

Campus Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Global Inclusion and Social Development

First Advisor

Valerie L. Karr

Second Advisor

Laura A. Hayden

Third Advisor

Meredith A. Whitley

Abstract

This study sought to understand if Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) programs increase tolerance in post-conflict settings. Participants from an SDP organization in Musanze and Rubavu districts in Rwanda were the focus of this study. This study employed transdisciplinary quantitative and qualitative research methods and processes using surveys to collect data on participants’ tolerance levels and interviews to understand their experiences in the program and pre-and post-Genocide in Rwanda. Interviews were also used to understand the quantitative survey results. Key stakeholder interviews were conducted with individuals working in sport, unity and reconciliation, and local government ministries and institutions.

Statistically significant results of the study demonstrated that the longer participants stay in the SDP program, the higher their tolerance levels. Results also showed that there was a statistically significant difference between Musanze and Rubavu participant tolerance levels. The qualitative findings explain the potential reasons for this difference highlighting the impact geography and governance strategies can have on tolerance levels. Recommendations are made to inform future SDP programming and research.

Comments

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