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Say Yes, July 2002: Where to Now?

Pure Football, Pure Hope © UNICEF Turkey 2002

Pure Football, Pure Hope.
Photograph Rana Mullan
© UNICEF Turkey 2002

The FIFA/UNICEF Alliance to Say Yes for Children

With the FIFA World Cup 2002 competition behind us, discussions are currently under way about how football can be used to enhance existing programmes, to develop new ones and to reach new audiences at the national level. Here are some ideas, outlined under the key areas of the FIFA/UNICEF Memorandum of Understanding:

Education

  • Girl’s education: developing women’s football programmes (in countries where it is culturally relevant) as a tool for developing self-esteem in young women and girls and to help girls enroll or stay in school.
  • Football as an education tool to teach children important lessons on HIV/AIDS, conflict resolution and other issues.

Child Protection

  • Football as a tool in conflict countries, promoting children’s right to play (and also as an anchor for children’s rights in general).
  • Promotion of football and recreation in general as a return to normalcy and reclamation of childhood in conflict or disaster situations.
  • Distribution of recreation kits (sustainably -- not just for one-off events).
  • Football as a tool of conflict management and peace education. Where there have been conflicts, FIFA could provide kits and coaching for games and UNICEF could provide the conflict resolution elements of the project.

HIV/AIDS

  • Football as an important and productive diversion for young people.
  • Inter-generational dialogue through football, building community spirit.
  • An opportunity to raise the profile of HIV/AIDS, increasing acceptance of young people’s right to know about the issues.
  • Disseminating important messages on HIV/AIDS -- especially protection issues -- to young people.
  • Football as a bridge to reach young men and boys (hard to attract to HIV/AIDS information programmes and related services).
  • Football as a tool to mobilise young people, making them agents for change on HIV/AIDS prevention, non-violence and disarmament issues.
  • Nationwide sports tournaments (preferably between districts or regions hostile to each other).
  • Media coverage involving football stars and Goodwill Ambassadors.
  • The possibility of FIFA incorporating HIV/AIDS education into it’s own institutionalised training programmes for referees, coaches and players.
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SAY YES, JULY 2002

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