In this video, our TPSR spotlight speaker, Kaya Cattouse, describes how she used the platform of “sport for social change” during her political campaign for Belize City councilor.
Northern Illinois University has an enduring partnership with youth sport organizations in Belize. The relationship began with a grant from the U.S. Department of State (2013-2016) to
establish the Belizean Youth Sport Coalition (BYSC). The project involved a training exchange program and leadership development in the Belizean youth sport community. NIU also collaborated with dozens of Belizean organizations to promote youth development and social change. Kaya Cattouse (National Sports Council of Belize) was one of the original leaders of the project.
The partnership continued after the grant ended. In recent years, we have organized alternative spring breaks to bring NIU students to Belize. Another trip involved hosting a summit on women's sport in Belize, an equity issue identified in the original project. The Belize National Morning Show, Open Your Eyes, aired a 20 minute segment with a special focus on women’s equity in sport. Additionally, Kaya Cattouse, Enid Martinez, and Jenn Jacobs were interviewed live at the sports summit about the impact of sport on gender equity.
For an in-depth look at the organization, logistics, mission, and individual sessions from the women's sport summit, view the attached program manual.
