Sport: Vector of Peace and Builder of Bridges

We are proud to share a major milestone in our ongoing work at the intersection of sports diplomacy, peacebuilding, and education!

On October 13, 2026, Professor Tom Woodhouse led a workshop at the event “L'esport, vector de pau i constructor de ponts” (Sport, Vector of Peace and Builder of Bridges) hosted at Blanquerna - Auditori FPCEE in Barcelona. The initiative explored how sport can serve as a catalyst for diplomacy and social cohesion, contextualized within the historic legacy of the Millennium of the Peace and Truce Assemblies (1027–2027).

During the event, Professor Woodhouse presented a handbook (designed in collaboration with Toni Dedéu and Beatriz Carvalho) offering a practical framework for leveraging sport as vectors for peace and development, drawing on real-world case studies and examples from football clubs across England, Colombia, and Catalonia.

A centerpiece of the session was an interactive group activity: “Building a Catalan Sport-Peace-Diplomacy Brand.” Participants moved from theory to practice and discussed strategies for developing a Catalan sports-for-peace brand. 

The success of this conference has left us excited for what’s to come. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue building bridges through sport!