Learning through International Volunteering

This chapter aims to extend an understanding of the role of international volunteers involved in sport for development and peace (SDP) programmes and activities. It seeks to understand how international sport volunteers are able to transgress national boundaries in ways which few countries are able to withstand - surreptitiously, economically and culturally. Despite the burgeoning of SDP programmes positively focusing upon social change promoted by numerous sporting organizations, contemporary SDP literature has raised legitimate concerns regarding, for instance: the hegemony of westernized representations of sport; a lack of understanding regarding effective pedagogical approaches, etc. International sport volunteer research has sought to focus upon development and social change at three levels: the macro or social; the meso or organizational; and the micro or the individual and their immediate relationships. Whilst acknowledging an unprecedented expansion both in volunteers and organizations which contribute to global affairs, international understanding, well-being and peace building there is increasing concern over role of volunteers in peace building.