How To Engage And Educate Youth Through Football

One of the conference we've been attending is called A Call To Europe.

We did a three days discussion in Rotterdam, which was about the issues discrimination, getting youth involved in issues they face in Europe, like:

Racism, inclusion (to have a sense of belonging, being part of the decision making in our communities), human rights and a greater understanding between communities.

I was on stage, sharing how football can be used to achieve the above. It’s a tool that can engage people from all walks of life especially the youth.

It’s not just a sport but a way of coming together, celebrating together, working together, learning together and being part of the community as a whole.

And feel that sense of belonging which people and the youth today really need. What Call To Europe wanted me to share about the work we're doing with FIC.

How To Use Football In Communities

The following is what we shared:

• How we use sports, particular football to bring Sheffield communities together.
• How we engage youth in organisation sports activities.
• How Sheffield is a mukti-cultureal city and how people they dealing with each other in Sheffield
• Rotterdam is a city which is multicultural.

They wanted to learn from my experience because they read the book called Britain Everyday’s Hero, The Making Of Good Society.

The Call To Europe workshop held different workshops on immigrants and refugees issues, european trade between member states, the new member state in european union to Human Rights laws in european union.

Also the European vision outside the european zone like African, American and Asian. So it was three days in Rotterdam and three days in Hague.

The Hague is where the International Criminal Courts are based. Where I've had the experience of being in these courts, hearing the case of two Congolese War Lords.

We spent one evening in Amsterdam at the Unity Is A Strength Foundation Award, where they give awards to different guests or organisations.

Desbon Bushiri
FIC Coordination
Football Coach