Annette Michelsen la Cour

Politicisation of migrant leisure: a public and civil intervention involving organised sports

Using the perspective of governmentality this article aims to contribute to an understanding of the rationalities of specific political interventions, and the techniques used to monitor the leisure activities of particular target groups. This process of politicization is revealed here through a case study of an intervention that provides sporting activities in holiday periods for migrant children and adolescents living in so-called socially disadvantaged areas (DGI Playground). The analysis highlights the rationality that the leisure time of migrant youth is a potentially dangerous time slot and they must be engaged in organized sports; that is not only healthy but also civilizing and character forming leisure time activities. Techniques of monitoring the intervention are developed in a partnership between public institutions, regional umbrella organizations and local sports clubs leading to a need for employment of welfare professionals. Furthermore, the article illustrates that in the discursive construction of subject positions for the target group, migrant youth tend to become clients and recipients of public services rather than potential members of civil sports clubs. These findings are supported by ethnographic interviews with participants that show how youngsters who took part in DGI Playground were able to reflect the official aim of the programme and relate this to their desire to have fun and hang out with their friends. The article ends with a discussion of the further scope of applying critical theoretical perspectives to studies of migrants’ leisure and sports activities.

Governing Integration Through Sports

Governing Integration Through Sports This article problematises the increasing involvement of non-state actors (in particular Danish civil sports associations) in the conduct of integration policy. Based on a case study the article describes how the involved public authorities and non-state actors represent the problem (and aim) of enhancing ethnic integration through sports. The concept of assemblage is used to highlight the heterogeneity of the rationalities and resources that merged in the specific project. Further, the techniques and practices of governing the specific project will be in focus and the article discusses how non-state actors come to monitor themselves through new public management.