World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development – What impact does Football have?

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development – What impact does Football have?

The 21st of May has been declared by the UN General Assembly to be the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, because cultural diversity matters.

Why does cultural diversity matter?

Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.

Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the seven culture conventions, which provide a solid basis for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development.

The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and discuss different approach, which contributes to the understanding of cultural diversity.

Football has long been recognised as a valuable tool for promoting cultural diversity, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Many of the members of the European Football for Development Network are delivering impactful programmes fostering tolerance, tackling discrimination stimulating dialogue and cultural exchange.

Football bridging the gap between cultures

Inter Campus– Promoting peace in Israel and Palestine

Inter Campus seeks to foster social, religious and racial equality worldwide, with a specific focus on children’s rights. It uses football as an educational tool, training local coaches and giving thousands of deprived children opportunities to play the game.

In Israel and Palestine, the main issue concerns violence and the lack of integration between the various ethnic and religious groups. The particular aim in this region is to foster integration and promote peace through dialogue and cultural exchange. This project harnesses the power of sport, giving nearly 200 Israeli, Arab-Israeli and Palestinian children the opportunity to come together and play.

Inter Campus works with Ghetton, an organisation which has been supporting Israeli children from Tel-Aviv, Arab-Israeli children from Jerusalem, Palestinian children from the West Bank and refugees from other ethnic backgrounds since 2013. This locally based partner runs training sessions four times a week, using the Inter Campus methodology to achieve important objectives that go far beyond physical exercise – seeking, for example, to maximise children’s spare time, promote integration between the various communities, and teach sporting values such as respect, loyalty and solidarity. Training sessions always target cognitive, social and emotional development, with children learning valuable life skills while playing and having fun. The project is supported by the UEFA Foundation for Children.

KAA Gent– All different, all Buffalo

The KAA Gent Family is as diverse as society. The Community Foundation of KAA Gent, locally known as Voetbal in de Stad, has been created to compliment and supplement local community activity through enrichment programmes to benefit local residents. The first team playing squad of the KAA Gent is a key attribute to the programme providing invaluable exposure of this core activity which creates the synergy for multicultural integration as the 1st team squad is made of different nationalities. Also the supporters of KAA Gent – all different, all Buffalo – together form an example of how all Buffalo’s together, despite all differences, fights for the same goal.

With these principles the community foundation of KAA Gent are developing and delivering positive initiatives to tackle diversity, racism, discrimination and homophobia. Two aspects of diversity which the Buffalo’s are hitting head on are Cultural Diversity and acceptance of Homosexual, Lesbian and Bi-sexual (HOLEBI) in sports.

KAA Gent and Voetbal in de Stad take a firm stand in the social debate about diversity. The CSR-organisation advises the football club in these matters and helps implement activities, events or campaigns.

Mifalot Education and Society Enterprises– Know your Neighbour

The ‘Know your neighbour’ program promotes interaction between Israel’s Jewish and non-Jewish children and adolescents – both on and off the football field. Soccer is applied as a means for stimulating coexistence.

In a nutshell:

·   Ages: 8-11 and 12-13.

·   Weekly football practices, bi-annual joint activities.

·   Mixed ethnic and/or religious teams (e.g. Jewish Israeli -Arab Israeli).

·   Mifalot International Partnerships – Mifalot Education and Society Enterprises

In 2008, Mifalot launched the first social co-existence program with our Palestinian neighbours. Through soccer with mixed teams, Israeli and Palestinian children learn that “the other” is quite similar, breaking down prejudice and fear. Ever since the success of our first co-existence project, we’ve continued running a variety of programs in the Palestinian Authorities with local partners.