Narrating goals: a case study on the contribution of Digital Storytelling to cross-cultural leadership development

Abstract

This case study and evaluation of a Digital Storytelling (DST) workshop for young women identifies the strengths, limits and challenges of transformational feminist leadership development within sport for development programmes (SDP). Based on postcolonial feminist approaches and empirical evidence, the findings demonstrate how leadership development for girls and young women from the Global South is possible through the technique of DST, but only if it is done while remaining mindful of power relations and cross-cultural differences. Evidence reveals insights around the prominence of ‘authentic’ stories and the understanding of leadership development within SDP interventions. In addition, we consider some of the dilemmas and opportunities posed in the particular use of DST and leadership programmes within SDP. Lastly, the case study argues to improve the understanding of how and why sport and gender intersect with cross-cultural leadership, narrative identity and DST practices. This implies the need to strongly engage and collaborate with girls and young women from the Global South: designing programmes with them, not for them.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

^1. WW is an organization promoting sport as a strategy to empower girls and young women, and believes that sport offers a girl a place to develop skills, knowledge and leadership that translate into life both on and off the field. Over time, WW has developed and defined a theory of change that focuses on leadership and which serves as a foundation for all their programmes and activities. The definition is based on research, theory and experiences around leadership, sport and the skills and empowerment of adolescent girls and young women.

^2. Based on methodology and tools of Center for Digital Storytelling (Joe Lambert, story center.org).

^3. Quote DST participant.

Additional information

Funding

Funded by Department for International Development (DFID, UK) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFS, The Netherlands).