Israeli University Opens Center To Study Role Of Sports In Diplomacy 

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is opening a new center to study the role of sports in international diplomacy. 

The Center for Sports Diplomacy (CSD) aims to focus on the impact of sports on a range of foreign affairs-related fields, including cultural and public diplomacy, international relations and political science. 

CSD is planning on holding an annual international conference to showcase its research and is hoping that it will promote global and local collaboration. 

“Sports are another basis for policy branding to change and improve the image of countries. We see more and more countries using sports to promote their values and interests. Against the background of current events, this is another dimension that could help Israeli diplomacy,” said Prof. Sharon Pardo, who will head the research center.

“Sport inspires and unites people. It has the power to change reality. Sports diplomacy is the conscious, strategic and ongoing use of sports, athletes and sporting events by states and non-state entities to promote policy, trade, development, education, public health, image, reputation, branding and relationships between people,” he said.

“Ben-Gurion University has always emphasized the impactful research that arises from the juxtaposition of seemingly diverse fields. By bringing together sports and culture with international relations and policy, our new center will shed light on the influence of sport on global relations and position the University as a leader in this growing field,” said BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz.