Football is increasingly being utilized as a tool for social change. Grassroot Soccer is part of a growing global network of organizations that utilize the popularity and power of sport to engage, inspire and educate communities around the world in order to deal with social problems and as a tool to uplift each other.
Streetfootballworld, according to its website, "is a social profit organization that links relevant actors in the field of Development through Football. Established in 2002, the organization encourages global partnerships for development in order to contribute to positive social change." Grassroot Soccer is part of their network, which comprises more than 80 local initiatives worldwide.
The future of development can never be the same again and the use of sports as a means of development will be of extreme value, as we seek to (re)write the future! The problem of HIV and AIDS needs big bold steps to be taken for a major reversal to occur. The following reports provide important information pertaining to HIV and AIDS relating to young people and recommendations for effective change:
- Behavior Change and HIV Prevention: (re) Considerations for the 21st Century by the Global HIV Prevention Working Group - A focus on behavioral change, and HIV prevention, with recommendations for action.
- Bringing HIV Prevention to Scale: An Urgent Global Priority - Published by the Global HIV Prevention Working Group: This report focuses on the need to expand coverage of evidence-based HIV prevention, provides examples of successful scale up of prevention programs, and offers recommendations for action.
- Preventing HIV/AIDS in Young People - A comprehensive and systematic review of the evidence from developing countries. The Technical Report is led by the WHO in collaboration with other UN agencies (UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNFPA).
-Young people: the greatest hope for turning the tide - A fact sheet published by the UNFPA. The report highlights the impact the disease has on young people, their vulnerability and potential change.
- HIV/AIDS and young people: Hope for tomorrow - A UNAIDS focusing on the past, present and possible future of young people affected by HIV/AIDS.
Below is a sampling of organizations making a real positive difference in society through sports (most of them are football based):
The Nike Foundation is investing a lot in its Girls Count Campaign - an initiative based on some of the first critical research specifically focused on adolescent girls in the developing world. It demonstrates how providing support to girls age 10-18 dramatically improves their lives – and also results in significant benefits for society as a whole. The project has published strategic, concrete action items for policymakers, donors, development professionals, and the private sector to effectively implement change.
The Homeless World Cup aims to target the 1 billion homeless world wide through football. Providing the homeless with an opportunity to represent their country at a global event, encouraging goal setting, ambition and assisting the homeless in their efforts to turn their lives around.
Play 31 brings together people who have been split by armed conflict.
Alive and Kicking manufactures sports balls to provide balls for children, create jobs for adults and promote health education through sport.
Foot Solidaire seeks out and assists abandoned young soccer players around Europe whose dreams have been placed in the hands of opportunistic agents.
Coaches Across Continents helps young people around the world learn practical coaching and leadership skills that benefit their local communities.
