All 20 Latin American streetfootballworld network members came together in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for a multifaceted week of Development through Football.
The week-long exchange started off with an annual coordinators’ meeting, where the heads of organisations and streetfootballworld representatives worked on priorities for the network in 2011 and towards 2014. The stage for this meeting was set by the FuDe Foundation, who acts as streetfootballworld’s regional co-ordination in Latin America and who did a tremendous job in welcoming all delegates and providing a setting that allowed for a truly inspiring exchange and dialogue amongst all organisations.
Two potential streetfootballworld network members from the region were also invited to join the meeting: Bola pra Frente from Brazil and Seprojoven from Costa Rica.
In the meetings, key strategic steps towards 2014 as a network in Latin America were defined. Amongst the topics discussed was the quality of the network’s members both in terms of their work on the ground and their contribution to the network. For 2011 a joint agenda was adopted which features two milestones: a coordinator’s meeting in Asunción in April and the 4th Latin American Festival to take place in Colombia at the end of the year.
As part of the network meeting, the delegates also visited streetfootballworld network members Defensores del Chaco, Club 25 de Mayo and Club Bongiovanni, where they had the chance to see how the organisations work and their vital role in the region’s community development.
Knowledge exchange and new opportunities
On November 17th, the first ever Latin American Congress on Football for Social Development opened, featuring a series of panels.
First, Ser Paz (Ecuador), Cre- Arte (Bariloche, Argentina); Pro Niño Íntimo (Perú) y CDI (Paraguay) gave evidence to the vast and rich experience that already exists within Development through Football in this region. Second, representatives from the IDB, FIFA, Avina and Nike discussed how their sectors could best contribute to the development of sustainable projects in the field.
Perhaps the loudest applause was granted to the panel of 5 young leaders. Each one them gave proof that is through their achievement and their commitment that sustainable social development in possible - within their organisations, and within their communities.
The day’s closing remarks were presented by Adan Parreño and Jürgen Griesbeck, as members of the streetfootballworld network board, and from Fabián Ferraro, the streetfootballworld network’s Regional Co-ordinator for Latin America. Together, they recognized the positive atmosphere of the event and confirmed the huge potential of Development through Football in the region in the coming years.
Special training
The week was rounded off by the adidas Exchange Programme, which engaged all 20 network member organisations in a training designed by FuDe on fundraising and on methods of mutual support and networking. Furthermore, thirty young coaches received their first certificate in Coerver Coaching, a training method that helps organisations strengthen young football players’ confidence, creativity and communication skills.
“It has really been an excellent week and absolutely fantastic work from everyone at FuDe,” said streetfootballworld Network Development Manager Thomas Weidner.
“The atmosphere amongst the members is the best I have seen so far and looks really promising on the way to 2014.”
