FIFA and the United Nations: educating the most underprivileged through sport.

• Author: Sadecky, Andrea

ALTHOUGH THE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE between the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the United Nations was signed in 1999, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's words on that occasion are still fully relevant: "I am very happy to announce a new partnership between the only truly international organization--the United Nations--and the only truly international sport--football." A great surge of hope was generated that day, and the number of activities in the field is constantly on the rise.

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Football is not just a universal sport, but it also possesses an extraordinary unifying and integrating power. Aid projects that harness this power enable people from different backgrounds to find a common ground and a source of encouragement. Through this sport, even members of opposing sides in conflicts have the opportunity to learn and bond with each other on a neutral and unifying subject. It is basically a chance to meet other people through playing football! Ignorance and fear of other people, who are often perceived as a threat, are at the heart of the majority of conflicts. As soon as a group finds a common ground through football, a shared identity is forged, which overcomes differences in terms of religion or ethnicity. Playing together thus becomes a tool for social and moral integration, which is what FIFA actively seeks to encourage. When local populations cease to believe in the future and suffer from a lack of enthusiasm, sport has a key role to play. Football has the power to transmit joy, passion and friendship, and offers an invaluable alternative to the stress of daily life.

The social responsibility of FIFA is no mere empty promise, and it is evident on a daily basis through its various humanitarian projects. This is why FIFA has decided to harness the extraordinary power of football. Under the leadership of its President, Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA has made addressing social and human concerns one of its main priorities for the future. Football is capable of playing a central role in such areas as establishing peace, fighting discrimination, promoting health, protecting children's rights and many other issues, including education.

Millions of young people all over the world have no hope of having a decent standard of living because they are deprived of the right to education. In developing countries, it is estimated that 120 million children do not have the chance to even attend primary school. In...