Speaker update for the 16th EFDN Conference in Breda

Speaker update for the 16th EFDN Conference in Breda

The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) will host its 16th EFDN ‘Purpose and Sustainability’ Conference as a hybrid event from 8-10 November 2021 in the Rat Verlegh Stadium of NAC Breda, the Netherlands. So far, more than 150 representatives from 50 different football clubs, leagues, and national football associations of 17 European countries subscribed for the congress.

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) experts in European professional football. Participants at the 16th EFDN Conference will discuss challenges occasioned by COVID-19 and share best practices on CSR strategies, fundraising, sustainability, women’s football, anti-discrimination, social inclusion, online safeguarding, physical activity and STEM education. 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 of the knowledgeable and competent speakers in the fields of Football with Refugees, the Future of Football, Purpose, and Football as a Tool of Inclusion we have contacted to share their expertise with you:

Jorge Miranda – Fundação Benfica

Jorge Miranda, Director at Fundação Benfica, is the next confirmed speaker at our 16th EFDN Conference in Breda on 9 & 10 November 2021. 

Since 2010, Jorge Miranda is the Director of Benfica Foundation since 2010 and responsible for policy design, strategic planning and general management of the organization. The Foundation delivers social development programs, based on empowering communities and participation to develop social capital and fight exclusion and poverty. One of the main targets are children and youngsters in risk. CEO and founder of Etnoideia Lda. Formerly (1981-2010): Head of Department in Education and Social Development in Amadora (east Lisbon). Another area of responsibility was to co-ordinate municipal action in critical urban areas and European Funded programs and projects. Certified as URBACT lead expert, former Director of Urban II Amadora (EU best practice), Urbact II MILE, Zambujal Melhora Operational Programme of Lisbon, Generation Orchestra with Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and several European Social Fund projects (EQUAL, INTI and other).

Jorge Miranda will be presenting on Benfica’s refugee approach and overall strategy. “Due to a global challeging context towards migrations Benfica Foundation has also integrated several projects that promotes both refugee inclusion and tackling racism and discrimination. Regarding our overall strategy we highlight our development of a 10 year strategic plan until 2030. This document have the major guidelines and goals we aim to reach in many different areas of intervention.”

Urs Kluser – UEFA Foundation

Urs Kluser, General Secretary at UEFA Foundation for Children, will be participating in our Future of Football Panel at our 16th EFDN Conference in Breda on 9 & 10 November 2021. 

Urs Kluser is a lawyer by profession. Following his law career he worked in international humanitarian organisations and international development before becoming involved in associations football with positions in FIFA and UEFA. Since May 2018 he serves as General Secretary for the UEFA Foundation for Children.

Urs will participate in the panel on the Future of Football and discuss it with other panelists such as Meinolf Sprink from Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Jacob Naish – FC Nordsjælland

Jacob Naish, Purpose lead at FC Nordsjælland, is the next confirmed speaker at our 16th EFDN Conference in Breda on 9 & 10 November 2021. 

Jacob Naish is the Purpose lead at Right to Dream, which is an organisation building an eco-system of opportunities for talented young leaders in football. He trained as a philosopher and had – in fact still has- a special interest in how technology, societal trends, perspectives of the future and politics, all combine in the field of sport (and other aspects of culture). In a paralell career, he has been working on CSR and commercial projects at Football clubs for almost 20 years now. He is based at FC Nordsjælland, a football club owned by Right to Dream. Its a place where they devote their attention to the development of young players holistically, focusing on their character and education, as well as the development of their athletic talent. This is with the aim of developing purpose-driven individuals who can impact their commuities, and wider society, beyond what they achieve on the football pitch. To do this, they are always trying to go one layer deeper with their players and people, and that’s the work he has been doing with his colleagues over the last year. They have a long way to go, but they are totally committed to continuing this journey.

Purpose has become a real buzz-word in the game, and in the wider economy. Last time Jacob presented at the last EFDN Conference, he looked at this phenomenon and what it means for football, and the changing nature of football fans. Now he wants to go one layer deeper with us, and ask some questions about what is happening in society and to the game we love, and the hidden traps that many football organisations are sleep-walking into. He’ll also look at how technology and the changing demands of football fans are combining to transform the CSR and community work that football clubs and all of us undertake each day.

Ramon Garriga – Barça Foundation

Ramon Garriga, Project Manager at Barça Foundation, is the next confirmed speaker at our 16th EFDN Conference in Breda on 9 & 10 November 2021. 

Ramon is Project Manager at Barça Foundation since 2014. He was responsible for the implementation of the refugee projects of the Barça Foundation in 2017 in Catalonia, Greece, Italy and Lebanon. He is also in charge of the implementation of the juvenile justice centers projects of the Barça Foundation in Catalonia since 2016 and leads the implementation of the projects related with social inclusion for people with disabilities of the Barça Foundation in Catalonia since 2015.

Ramon Garriga will be presenting on the topic of the shortlisted “Sport as a tool of inclusion in youth justice centers” project which is shortlisted for the 2021 #Morethanfootball Award. Barça Foundation, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Justice of the Generalitat de Catalunya, carries out its inclusion program in juvenile justice centers, deploying socio-educational actions to promote the social integration and the prevention of recidivism of the minors and young inmates. Sport as a tool for inclusion in juvenile justice centers enhances the development of skills that promote the social inclusion of young people deprived of their liberty.

Get your ticket for the 16th EFDN Conference in Breda here.