Methodology

Behind all of PPI’s work is the proven methodology it has developed over a decade of bridging divides, developing leaders and changing perceptions in the organization’s four year-round programming sites. Though each site has developed its own distinctive ecosystem of programs to maximize available resources and meet local needs, all rely on the same three core elements and utilize PPI’s unique curriculum.

Core Elements

Frequent, Long-Term Integration

To truly transform the status quo in communities with histories of violence, PPI emphasizes a particular approach to integration that prioritizes the pursuit of shared goals and relationship building over a prolonged period of time. Children first start working with PPI in a “single-identity” context, building trust with teammates and coaches and familiarizing themselves with PPI’s curriculum. They then come together with a their peers from the “other side” for the first time in a special event known as a “twinning,” where PPI’s trained coaches use basketball, the curriculum and their facilitation skills to help players build the respect and understanding that leads to lasting friendship. Over time, “twinnings” accelerate in frequency, as participants and families become more comfortable with the process. Ultimately, PPI aims to work with young people not only throughout an entire year, but year-over-year as well, laying the foundation for life-long change.

In this popular activity, called "Scramble," integrated teams compete in a controlled atmosphere. You may not be able to hear it over the cheering in this version (filmed in Jerusalem), but the game also helps children learn each other's names, a major first step to building unity in situations where groups have different native languages.

Local Leadership Development

After “graduating” from PPI’s core programs (serving children ages 6-14), participants between the ages of 15 and 18 are invited to take part in the “Leadership Development Program,” where they learn to lead PPI’s programs for younger children. Leadership Development Program participants serve as assistant coaches, perform a variety of community service activities and take part in intensive retreats to learn how they can better act as mentors and catalyze change among their friends, family and community. Graduates of the Leadership Development Program are encouraged to continue working with PPI as coaches, ensuring a sustainable leadership pipeline for the future.

This video profiles Darryl, the leader of PPI's Leadership Development Program in Northern Ireland, and drops in on some LDP activities.

Peace and Leadership Curricula

To overcome “exceptional” thinking (“My teammates might be good people, but they are the exceptions. Most people from ‘the other side’ are bad.”) and to help participants apply what they learn outside of the court, PPI includes an element of peace and leadership education in all that it does. Anchored by its organization-wide curriculum (see below), this educational component is crafted to closely meet local needs. For example, in South Africa, PPI’s curriculum emphasizes HIV/AIDS risk avoidance, whereas in Northern Ireland, it directly confronts the legacy of “The Troubles.”

Learn More About:

Our Curriculum

Programming in South Africa

Programming in Northern Ireland

Programming in the Middle East

Programming in Cyprus