Youth voices against racism, using sport as a vehicle to combat racism
UNESCO and the FC Barcelona signed a project partnership called ‘Youth voices against racism’ which affirms their joint commitment to raise public awareness on the role of education and sport in the development and wellbeing of children and youth and in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding and social cohesion.
Use sport as a vehicle to combat racism, discrimination and violence
One of the project’s specific objectives is to use sport as a vehicle to combat racism, discrimination and violence in general and in sport in particular targeting notably children and youth. Because sport is a means to bring people closer together regardless of their social, cultural or ethnic background, their age or their sex and therefore to eliminate barriers and negative stereotypes. Sport creates a universal language and common references and teaches essential values such as tolerance, respect and solidarity.
Cities are the places where people come together
An important partner for ‘Youth voices against racism’ will be
the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR), launched
by UNESCO in December 2004 with the aim of establishing a network
of cities interested in sharing experiences in order to improve
their policies to fight racism, discrimination and xenophobia.
Indeed, cities, as places where people from various backgrounds
come together, can play a central role in the struggle against
racism and discrimination given particularly the increasing
autonomy of local governments in the design of policies, their
means of intervention and their partnership
with vibrant local civil society networks.