NEW QUARTET OF SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR OUR 17TH CONFERENCE IN LIVERPOOL

NEW QUARTET OF SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED FOR OUR 17TH CONFERENCE IN LIVERPOOL

The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) will host its 17th EFDN ‘#Morethanfootball’ Conference as from 09-11 May 2022 in the home city of two EFDN members in Liverpool on the 9th and 10th of May 2022. EFDN members Liverpool FC and Everton FC will host the Conference in Anfield and Goodison Park. 

This conference is the perfect platform for organisations of all shapes and sizes to share ideas and develop new concepts. EFDN is excited to meet its members and partners again in person at the largest gathering of Community and Social Responsibility (CSR) and Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance( ESG) experts in European professional football. You can read more about the topics the participants at the 17th EFDN Conference will be able to learn and exchange about here. It will be an excellent occasion for your organisation to join these experts and broaden your network on CSR in football.

This news article will give you an impression of some more knowledgeable and competent speakers in the fields of tackling societal issues, developing sustainable projects, the social environment of children, fundraising and accessibility– who we have contacted to share their expertise with you:

BRIAN MCLAUGHLIN – GREENOCK MORTON COMMUNITY TRUST

Brian McLaughlin, the Chief Executive of Greenock Morton Community Trust, is the next confirmed speaker at our 17th EFDN #Morethanfootball Conference in Liverpool on 9 & 11 May 2022.

As a sports professional for over 18 years, he firmly believes in the power of sport and physical activity to be a positive change in people’s lives within his community. Having spent the last 8 years at Morton in the Community he finds it a real honour to lead this organisation and help tackle societal issues, residents of Inverclyde face, on a daily basis.

”I will present on the Morton in the Community Story, using sport and physical activity to provide opportunities for our community.
Working with over 1200 participants per week aged 18months to 108 years, we really are more than football.
Projects include Football, Field Hockey, Mental & Physical Health, Education and Employability support.”

ELENA MONTORO GARCÍA – FUNDACIÓN LALIGA

Elena Montoro García, Responsible Technical Area Fundación LaLiga, is the next confirmed speaker at our 17th EFDN #Morethanfootball Conference in Liverpool on 9 & 11 May 2022.

With seventeen years of professional experience, first in the field of international cooperation and international relations, managing projects financed by international organizations and public administrations and later specializing in the field of sustainability and CSR.
She currently develops her job in FUNDACIÓN Liga, managing national and international projects related sports for development and collaborating with sports entities in the implementation and design of tools and action plans to integrate Corporate Social Responsibility into their management and direction model.

”Presentation of FUNDACIÓN LaLiga to explain how we work inside of our organization, our main focus areas our main projects and how we focus our social commitment to developing sustainable projects through football with the goal to have a positive impact on our society.”

HENRIK OESAU – SV WERDER BREMEN

Henrik Oesau, International project manager at SV Werder Bremen, is the next confirmed speaker at our 17th EFDN #Morethanfootball Conference in Liverpool on 9 & 11 May 2022.

Henrik Oesau is a CSR manager at Werder Bremen which celebrates its 20th anniversary for social responsibility programs this year. He accompanied the strategy process of CSR at Werder Bremen with the kick-off of the SPIELRAUM program in 2020.

Henrik joined Werder Bremen 2015 to coordinate sports offers for refugees. He is now responsible for fundraising, impact management and international CSR projects. Before he joined Werder Bremen he worked for different NGO’s and also initiated several volunteering projects focusing sports for development.

”In Bremen we face the highest poverty rate of children and young people in Germany. More than two-thirds of physical education classes in Bremen are taught by non-specialist teachers.
With the SPIELRAUM concept we would like to make as many children and young people as possible enthusiastic about sport and exercise and give them the opportunity to develop through sports. We aim 365 days of access to sports – during daycare hours, free time and holidays – on a social pedagogical basis in the social environment of children.”

JAMES STUART SMITH – CHANGING PLACES INTERNATIONAL

James Stuart-Smith, Trustee at Changing Places International, is the next confirmed speaker at our 17th EFDN #Morethanfootball Conference in Liverpool on 9 & 11 May 2022.

James Stuart-Smith was founder of the Astor Bannerman Group, pan-European manufacturers of award-winning special needs equipment, and has been a key player in the growth of Changing Places in the UK.  In 2019 he established the non-profit Changing Places International to bring the transformational benefits of Changing Places (Fully Accessible Wash- and Hygiene Rooms) to communities and venues internationally.   He has first-hand experience of how Football Clubs can successfully build inclusiveness in their communities.

”The impact of Changing Places Toilets in the UK has been recognised by over £30m of government funding.   They have become the norm in UK stadiums (with LFC being one of the first) and we see first hand the  difference they make for the whole family on matchdays. Roll-out has started outside the UK with strong local acceptance. Find out how and why these facilities are so vital, the latest in legislation and norms, and the transformational benefits these facilities give to both communities and clubs.”