THE founder of a Menston-based charity has addressed a prestigious international conference in Prague in the Czech Republic.

David Geldart is chairman the Bambisanani Partnership charity which, over the past 13 years, has gained international acclaim for its pioneering work using sport as a catalyst to promote education, leadership and global citizenship in one of South Africa’s most deprived rural areas. During that time more than 250 volunteers from St. Mary’s School, Menston, The University of Leeds and Leeds Trinity University have delivered a range of Bambisanani programmes to over 3000 South African children with significant impact on students from both countries.

The Prague conference, organised by Progressive Connexions, attracted a diverse range of delegates and speakers from over 35 different countries and provided an excellent platform to outline the purpose, activities and outcomes of the partnership. As well as encouraging others to embark on similar projects, the Bambisanani presentation generated considerable discussion and debate involving not only those from the world of education and sport development, but also those from very different backgrounds including law, public administration, human rights and international development. Significantly many of these conversations have continued post conference.

Dr Robert Fisher, Conference Director said: “A global audience of academics, practitioners and professionals enjoyed an illuminating and revealing presentation on the work of the Bambisanani Partnership at the third global inclusive interdisciplinary conference, Culture and Society, in Prague. The significance of the work being undertaken and its value to researchers serves to accentuate the continuing need for voices who are engaging with communities and developing innovative, organic relationships to be heard in contexts like this and provided welcome perspectives in conversations with the delegates who attended. We heartily welcome and encourage this much needed level of participation in our global meetings.”

David Geldart added: “It was a great honour and a privilege to represent the outstanding Bambisanani team at this important international event. Such occasions always help me reflect on what we do and why we do it; on our actions and on our impact. This genuinely progressive conference proved very effective at this. There is a great danger for all of us that ‘we live in our own echo chambers’ only hearing or reading that which reinforces our current world view. This conference was highly effective in bringing together a wide range of people who were willing not only to listen and learn from one another but also to question and challenge others in a spirit of collegiality, goodwill and friendship. It was a great opportunity to speak about our work and indeed to learn from others.”