Acting Locally, Impacting Globally…
The Youth Charter has facilitated consultations, presentations and delegations to and from Germany, Finland, Italy, France, Norway, Sweden, Turkey, Poland, Switzerland, Holland, Spain and Russia. The establishment of the Youth Charter European desk at the Hague, Netherlands in 1996, further highlighted the need for an international cultural framework that would build on existing efforts in helping develop stronger partnerships to highlight concerns as well as establish a greater recognition of the role that sport can play in social and human development. From this European platform (based in the UK), wider links were established with the other four continents.
Europe The Youth Charter European desk was established in the Netherlands in 1996, in partnership with AFC Ajax Amsterdam, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Amsterdam City Council. As a result of this, a Youth Charter Youth Delegation visited the Netherlands, meeting with the country’s President and other senior judicial figures at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal and visiting one of Europe’s leading soccer clubs, AFC Ajax Amsterdam.
This historic visit provided the youth with a wider awareness and opportunities in both business and sport in the international arena, as well as acquiring the support of four key judicial ambassadors. This is part of the lobby and campaign objective of the Youth Charter that voices of youth be heard at the highest level of social organisation. In Switzerland, formal links have been established between the Youth Charter and FIFA through the FIFA SOS Villages Project to activate the United Nations/FIFA Accord for disadvantaged communities.
Americas Brazil In 1996 a martial arts and social development programme was delivered in Brazil for over 500 karate students of all levels of ability and style. The aim of the visit was to promote combat sports as an outlet and channelling of aggression with the additional benefits of self-discipline, motivation and community cohesion. A fact-finding trip was also undertaken to establish the social and cultural challenges faced by young people in Brazilian society. A particular focus centred on the street children and related gang activity.
Peru The Youth Charter visit was made to Peru in 2002 to establish a social and grass roots sports development programme with the Peruvian Sports Ministry and Youth Affairs department. A number of meetings were undertaken and links established with potential to work in collaboration with local authorities.
Asia China In 1998 the Youth Charter hosted the Chinese Head of Sport and Recreation and her delegation at The Youth Charter Head Quarters. A presentation was given with a question/answer session following looking at the role of sport and Olympism and the impact of Western youth culture.
In 2003 the Youth Charter presented to the Chinese TEDA business delegation in London outlining the social and economic opportunities and benefits in the hosting and legacy of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
India In 2002 the Youth Charter was contacted by Mr Gurmangal Dass seeking to develop a multi-sport and community youth provision. Although initial attempts to assist were unsuccessful, upon the realisation of their dream, on-going dialogue was established with former Rugby League International Ikram Butt meeting with Mr Dass during an India v Pakistan Rugby League Goodwill Tour. A ‘needs assessment’ was carried out with a consignment of Soccerwise Education packs provided. The project is currently delivering the programme and will be reporting back the outcome of their learning experiences and their relevance within the Millennium development goals.
BARA The British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) was established in 2004 with the support, and advice of the Youth Charter, not only to promote improved development and relationships between both the sporting codes of Rugby Union and Rugby League, but to promote peace and mutual understanding between young people of both Muslim and Sikh faiths.
Headed up by the Youth Charter Sporting Ambassador and former Rugby League International Ikram Butt, Goodwill Tours and matches have been played in both Pakistan and India with significant progress being made in promoting peace and goodwill between the respective cultures.
Similar goodwill trips have also been undertaken to Hong Kong. Future proposals include the development of a Rugbywise community cohesion programme that will build upon and enhance the existing efforts in this area of work through the ‘Dreams for Teams’ initiative. With the support of the English Rugby Football Union and the British Council, a Memorandum of Understanding has now been agreed between the Youth Charter and BARA with a view to training and development programmes which will be delivered in 2007.
Africa
South Africa represents the largest international investment of the Youth Charter approach over the past decade. Numerous visits have contributed to the reconstruction and development of disaffected youth in Township communities in the new South Africa. The first three years of work in South Africa led to the first International chapter of the Youth Charter being launched in Johannesburg during the Youth Day celebrations in 1996. Ongoing advice to the private sector and voluntary groups has led to many innovative approaches that have been replicated by other international donor agencies.
Particularly notable is the establishment of the UK South African Sports initiative in 1996, participation of the South African Football Association in a tour of the streets of Moss Side, Manchester and an historic international match between SAFA’s National Soccer side, Bfana Bfana and England in 1997 at Manchester United Football Club’s Old Trafford Stadium. At the same time, the South African High Commissioner, His Excellency, Mr Mendi Msimang, SAFA President Mr Molephi Oliphant and U.K. Sports Minister Tony Banks endorsed the Youth Charter’s Anglo South Africa Youth Culture initiative. Projects and programmes have also been delivered in the following countries: Cote D’Ivoire, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Mali, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Gambia and Sierra Leone. The Youth Charter is currently contributing to a multi agency U.N. led sport and social development programme training 100 social coaches, supported by the Swiss Development Agency in Mozambique.
The Youth Charter recognises that globalisation is not just about economic activity and markets, it is about social and cultural cohesion within the many faiths, beliefs and races. Using the language of sport and the arts, equality and diversity leads to greater tolerance and mutual understanding.
6. Olympic Citizenship in Action: a Social and Cultural Opportunity for 2012
Lord Coe in his closing speech to the IOC in support of the London 2012 bid committed “
...to inspire young people to choose sport, wherever they live, whatever they do, whatever they believe. Today that task is much harder. Today’s children live in a world of conflicting messages, of competing distractions. Their landscape is cluttered, their path to Olympic sport often obscured, but it’s a world we must understand and respond to. My heroes were Olympians; my children’s heroes change by the month... and they’re the lucky ones. Millions more face obstacles of limited resources and the resulting lack of guiding role models.”
6.1 Olympic Cultural Framework©
The Olympic Cultural Framework© is the deliverable and joined up policy approach that combines current social inclusion programmes and projects in communities throughout the UK. The Olympic Cultural Framework has been developed as a result of 12 years of youth inclusion and social regeneration work in communities locally, nationally and internationally. The Olympic cultural framework is the result of the bidding and hosting of major Games and events in the U.K. and abroad. These include:
Major Bids UK
Nagano Winter Olympic Bid 1988 Birmingham 1992 Manchester 1996 Manchester 2000
All Africa Games Nigeria 2003 All Africa Nations Cup Ghana 2008 Mediterranean Games - Anglesey 2009 London 2012
Major Games
Albertville Winter Olympics 1992 Barcelona Olympics - 1992
Commonwealth Games, Victoria - 1994 Paris Soccer World Cup – 1998
Women’s Soccer World Cup L.A. - 1999 All Africa Games South Africa 1999
Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games -
bidding, host and pre-volunteer Paralympics - Athens - 2004 England 2006 Soccer World Cup bid South Africa 2006 Soccer World Cup bid
page 40
page 41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24