—An introduction to Right To Play UBC by the student-led executive
We were the very first university chapter of Right To Play, the international humanitarian organization which uses sport and play to teach life skills, foster healthy habits, and improve quality of life for children around the world.
Our club has three main objectives: first, to raise awareness of the Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) movement; second, to raise funds for the Right To Play headquarters; and third, to do SDP work locally through our After-School Play Program. Every week, we send a team of UBC student volunteers to organize play programs at local high-needs schools. A very important aspect of our club is that we try to think critically about ‘international development’; we openly discuss the need for ‘development’ work in the first place and how to prevent it from becoming a neocolonial practice.
UBC also recently sent representatives to attend the 2012 Global Youth Summit in Kigali, Rwanda. As part of Right to Play, the Summit saw UBC engaged abroad and exploring the exciting possibilities of international sports development. Interacting with local Rwandan children and community organizations, participants described it as “an overwhelming and life changing experience” where “it became quite clear how universal sport is and the immense power it has to unite.” Hear their incredible stories here.
We believe that when children play, the world wins!
… and we also believe in “the more the merrier!” So come check us out at one of our upcoming meetings or events. For more information:
- email us at: rtpatubc@gmail.com
- like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RTPatUBC
- visit www.righttoplay.com
