EFDN celebrates Nelson Mandela Day
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.” – Nelson Mandela, May 25, 2000
MANDELA DAY
International Nelson Mandela Day or Mandela Day is an annual event celebrated every year on the 18th of July, the birthday date of the Nelson Mandela. On the 10th of November 2009, International Nelson Mandela Day was officially declared by the United Nations and therefore, 2019 will celebrate the 10th anniversary of this initiative. Nelson Mandela is an inspiration for all and the entire world remembers him for his achievements in working towards human rights, peace, democracy, conflict resolution, and addressing racial issues. One hundred years after his birth, Mandela’s example of courage and compassion continue to inspire the world, and Mandela Day calls on us all, every day, to make the world a better place.
There are so many ways to make a difference. In the spirit of “Madiba” and his vision to spread social justice and freedom for all, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of our programmes that use the connecting power of football as a tool for social development while creating a more social society.
EFDN PROGRAMMES
This year has seen the launch of two new programmes which have peace and social inclusion at their core: ‘Community Champions League‘ and ‘Welcome through Football‘. The Community Champions League is a street football competition running across 10 cities in 8 countries, where the teams earn more points through Fair Play, Fair Support and Volunteering in community activities than by winning the matches. Welcome through Football sees EFDN members Apollon FC, Everton FC, KAA Gent, SV Werder Bremen and SBV Vitesse working together on a project which aims to develop a new methodology for use across Europe which uses football as a tool to promote the social integration of refugees.
Breaking barriers through sport
From the 26th May to 1st of June there was another EFDN Youth Exchange with young adults from Israel, Portugal and Germany being hosted by NAC Breda in Breda, the Netherlands, to promote and educate social inclusion and cultural awareness, which was a follow up from the Youth Exchange in Tel Aviv last September. We saw that sport has the power to break down barriers and we will continue to provide these type of exchanges for our members.
A new perspective through sport
Together with the Dutch Justice Department, EFDN organised the Football Works Festival on the 13th of June. The festival included a football tournament being played inside the walls of De Karelskamp prison in Almelo, the Netherlands. Alongside the tournament, there was a programme including workshops and presentations of best practices from clubs and prisons that use football as a tool for reintegration of prisoners into society. Nelson Mandela had to spend 27 years in prison after being arrested in 1962.
No violence in sport
Mandela was known for his peaceful protest against the apartheid regime in South Africa. EFDN is a partner in the No Violence in Sport Programme (NOVIS) along with organisations from Italy, Romania, Spain, Greece, Bulgaria and Poland. The project aims to address challenges such as violence and intolerance linked to sport events and to promote a culture of fair play and teamwork.
Together with our members, EFDN is changing people’s lives through football. Mandela Day is a reminder to play an active role in building our communities and building a better future for all.
