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UNESCO presents first report on racism in football

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UNESCO presents first report on racism in football
UNESCO presents first report on racism in football
UNESCO presents first report on racism in football

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli and UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova will today be unveiling the “Colour? What Colour?” report during a press conference at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, which is scheduled to begin at 15.00 CET.

First announced in May 2014 and financed exclusively by Juventus, the finished article, written by ESSCA School of Management duo Professor Albrecht Sonntag and David Ranc, looks into the relationship between the phenomena of discrimination and opposition to inclusion in sport around the world.

The document, compiled through research and surveys involving an international team of experts, researchers, football managers and officials, will provide a useful analytical tool for all stakeholders in sport, who have been striving to tackle the problems of racism and discrimination for many years.

This report is just the latest in a line of Juventus and UNESCO initiatives rolled out since the collaboration began back in May 2014, when Agnelli and Bokova signed an agreement in Paris.

One of the first events to take place as a product of the relationship was the UNESCO Cup on 2 June 2014, which saw Juventus Legends take on their Real Madrid counterparts in a charity match at Juventus Stadium. This was followed up on 8 September this year, with Boca Juniors providing the opposition for another evening of solidarity.

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All proceeds from these games went to two projects working to rehabilitate former child soldiers in Mali and the Central African Republic. The initiatives aim to equip the children with technical and professional skills so that they are able to learn simple trades, become independent and take part in cultural, sporting and artistic activities. Literacy courses are also provided, in order to help the children rediscover hope and self-confidence.

In June 2015, Juventus Legends President David Trezeguet and Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information and Eric Falt personally visited the two countries to witness the Bianconeri’s continued commitment to the support of the projects.

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The duo had the opportunity to speak to former child soldiers now back in full-time education at Bangui’s arts and trades school and Bamako’s TEMEDT center and saw how important a role sport has to play in helping to restore social cohesion and solidarity in places of hardship.

By supporting these projects, Juventus became the first club in the world to back such in-depth initiatives alongside an international organisation such as UNESCO, which has been a shining light in the promotion of cultural – and thus sporting – values as a vehicle for achieving peace since its foundation by the United Nations in 1945.

Live tweets of today’s event can be followed on the club’s official Twitter profile from 15.00 CET onwards.

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