ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses Engaging Stakeholders, which is the seventh pillar of the CHILDREN model of factors which influence progress towards the International Safeguards. It advocates for a democratic approach to be adopted which invites and listens to the voices of those in and around the sport (e.g., parents, coaches, community leaders) when working towards the International Safeguards. Stakeholders play a key part in the development, implementation and embedding of the International Safeguards. Key issues are considered in terms of a range of challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, cultural norms and a lack of awareness of children’s rights. Promising practices are outlined in terms of having self-awareness, engaging with parents and coaches, and ensuring that there is a clear set of principles regarding safeguarding which are clearly communicated to stakeholders. The case study in this chapter focuses on a sport for development agency and it explains the range of strategies used to engage with the children, parents and the broader community. This included open sessions to promote communication between all key stakeholders. Efforts to directly promote and protect children’s rights also helped to facilitate further engagement from stakeholders when they could understand and see evidence of the positive outcomes of effective safeguarding.
