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Women in Football have joined with some of football’s biggest names in a movement of over 100,000 for the Football People weeks, the biggest social change campaign in European sport, to stand together against discrimination and for inclusion, from 5 to 19 October. 

During the two-weeks around 2,000 activities will take place across 50 countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, driving social inclusion and education.

A new video which you can see below, has been launched as part of the launch of the campaign to inspire many more to become Football People.

Fare Executive Director Piara Powar said: “The Football People weeks is an important period for European football bringing together people who watch, play or run the sport and supporting inclusion and diversity while challenging intolerance and discrimination.”

“This is a big and growing movement, our target is to reach 100,000 people directly taking part in activities. We encourage grassroots organisations to join the campaign and get involved with their own activities” added Powar.

“Activities, will include conferences, debates, workshops and many more events at national and international level. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved.”

Football governing bodies including UEFA are backing the campaign, which sits alongside their own #EqualGame initiative, highlighting the importance of leadership in the fight for social equality.

President Aleksander Ceferin said: “I am excited to offer UEFA’s full support for the Football People action weeks, football’s largest movement for social change in Europe.

“By dedicating a match day of the UEFA men’s and women’s Champions League, the Europa League and European qualifiers for the Women’s World Cup to the campaign, we want to highlight our commitment to leading the way in making discrimination a phenomenon of the past and celebrate diversity in the game.”

Three nation-wide events will kick-off of the weeks.

On Friday 6 October, Nil By Mouth will team up with St Modan’s High School in Stirling Scotland for an afternoon focusing on issues such as sectarianism and racism in football. This will be the first of a series of workshops Nil by Mouth will deliver in schools. The highlight of their activities will be a debate involving Members of the Scottish Parliament, fans and other stakeholders on 10 October.

On the same day in Bucharest, Romania, Asociatia Semper Musica will launch a travelling roadshow with a kick-off event in Bucharest. During the weeks, they will host panel discussions, film screenings and other activities in Galati, Vrancea, Buzau and Bacau.

On Sunday 8 October, the Belarusian NGO Human Constanta will organise a festival against discrimination in Minsk, which will include lectures, workshops, master-classes with representatives of football clubs, and a series of cultural activities.

Activities in Austria, England, Czech Republic, Germany and Spain will join the three highlights.

Manchester City LGBTIQ fan group Canal Street Blues, started a 10-day-long series of discussions on fans’ experiences of homophobia in football on Thursday 5 October. The discussions are supported by Manchester City FC.

INEX will run the first football festival ever organised in the Czech Republic. Themed ‘How can be football used to positive change and social inclusion?’ it will be held in Prague on 7 October. Alongside the film festival there will be workshops, panel discussions, a football tournament, photo exhibitions, music and theatre displays. 

There are also activities planned in Spain, Austria and Germany, alongside a soon to be announced Women in Football event. Keep watching this space....

You can follow the Football People weeks on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram) and through the activities map.

 

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