Kofi Annan on parallels between the UN and World Cup Soccer by FARE / AllAfrica.com 2:23pm 8th Jun, 2006   9/6/2006    Football Against Racism in Europe at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.    When the 2006 FIFA World Cup kicks off today in Munich, the slogan of the event, "A time to make friends", will dominate the game on the pitch as well as off it.    At each of the 64 games, a banner covering the entire centre circle will be displayed from the stadium"s opening until the end of the official pre-match protocol, bearing the tournament slogan "Say no to racism". In addition, anti-racism video spots will be aired at all FIFA World Cup stadiums. All TV rights holders have received five-second mini-spots at no cost for integration in their programmes related to the event. FIFA will also dedicate all quarter-finals on 30 June and 1 July to a special activity on the pitch to give the participating teams the chance to raise their voices against this blight on society in a message to be aired around the globe.    Camaraderie, friendship, celebration and passion for the beautiful game should epitomise the 18th FIFA World Cup in Germany. Recent unfortunate incidents of racism have emphasised the need for concrete action to unequivocally tackle these shameful displays of racism in football. The FIFA World Cup, with more than 3 billion accumulated spectators worldwide, is the ideal platform to send a clear rejection of any form of discrimination and to contribute to preventing racist incidents during the tournament. This year, the Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) network, FIFA and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have joined forces in a unique initiative called "Football unites" to contribute to a positive atmosphere during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, aimed at people of all origins, religions, nationalities and skin colour. This alliance was presented today at the FIFA/LOC daily media briefing at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.    For the first time, various activities will also take place during this summer"s football festival far beyond the 12 stadiums. "FIFA places great importance on respecting ethnic backgrounds. As the most popular sport, football has the biggest chance in the battle against racism, making it clear to the general public that skin colour has no impact whatsoever on our everyday routine, our lives, and our sport. FIFA is totally committed to taking steps to eradicate pernicious trends in society and football. We are convinced that our alliance with FARE and the LOC will be a further keystone in our fight against these shameful activities," said FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter. "The partnership between FARE, FIFA and the LOC is breaking new ground. We are vigilant against potential racist incidents, but we are confident that the measures taken by the German authorities and the LOC are appropriate," explained Piara Powar, the director of UK FARE partner Kick It Out.    "Anyone who wants to welcome guests as friends has the obligation and responsibility to ensure their safe and pleasant stay. Hospitality, tolerance and mutual respect must have the highest priority and should not be simply empty promises. A hospitable atmosphere is the best environment for peaceful matches. With these fan embassies, we have established a central meeting point," said LOC senior vice-president Horst R. Schmidt. For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, "fan embassies" have been set up in all twelve host cities under the umbrella of the LOC in cooperation with the German Fan Project Co-ordination Centre (KOS) with the aim of creating opportunities for fans from around the world to meet young Germans and migrants living in Germany, thereby raising awareness of the challenges they face and fostering the social integration of migrants and ethnic minorities. In association with the LOC and KOS, stewards and volunteers have been trained in how to identify and handle racism, right-wing extremism and discrimination. In addition, FARE will produce and distribute an anti-racism fanzine, in English and German, containing statements by players as well as information on racism in football.    Fans can find useful information on the dedicated internet fan guide section on the official website. Furthermore, fan guides will be available at all embassies in English and German to provide tips about trainings, teams and other activities for fans. Ahead of the FIFA World Cup matches, Streetkick games will be organized by FARE to accompany the intercultural programme at the 12 "fan fests" in the host cities.    June 7, 2006.    Kofi Annan on parallels between the UN and World Cup Soccer. (Accra Mail - Ghana)    The World Cup and the United Nations, which both bring countries together, are striving for the shared goal of celebrating humanity, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said as football teams prepare for the global sporting event starting on Friday.    "As the pinnacle of the only truly global game, played in every country by every race and religion, it is one of the few phenomena as universal as the United Nations," he wrote in an opinion article published in several newspapers this week.    "You could even say it"s more universal," he added, noting that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has 207 members while the UN has 191.    In the World Cup series, everyone knows where his team stands and how it got there, he said, adding: "I wish we had more of that sort of competition in the family of nations. Countries openly vying for the best standing in the table of respect for human rights, and trying to outdo one another in child survival rates or enrolment in secondary education. States parading their performance for all the world to see. Governments being held accountable for what actions led them to that result."    In cafés from Beijing to Buenos Aires, Mr. Annan said, everyone debates the finer points of their team"s game, not to mention the other side"s play, expressing themselves on the subject with as much clarity as passion.    "I wish we had we had more of that sort of conversation in the world at large. Citizens consumed by the topic of how their country could do better on the Human Development Index, or in reducing the number of carbon emissions or new HIV infections," he wrote. Meanwhile, he said, the migration of coaches and players between countries brings new ways of thinking and playing, benefiting both host and home countries.    "I wish it were equally plain for all to see that human migration in general can create triple wins - for migrants, for their countries of origin, and for the societies that receive them; that migrants not only build better lives for themselves and their families, but are also agents of development - economic, social, and cultural - in the countries they go and work in, and in the homelands they inspire through new-won ideas and know-how when they return," said Mr. Annan, who will tomorrow present a major report on migration and development to the General Assembly.    Participation in the World Cup ranges from being a badge of honour for first-t time qualifiers, like his own country, Ghana, to giving a sense of national renewal to countries like postwar Angola, to inspiring the hope of national rebirth in countries still in conflict, such as Côte d"Ivoire.    Perhaps the most enviable World Cup quality to the United Nations is that it stages events in which goals are reached, he noted.    "I"m not talking only about the goals a country scores; I also mean the most important goal of all - being there, part of the family of nations and peoples, celebrating our common humanity," Mr. Annan said. "I"ll try to remember that when Ghana plays Italy in Hanover on 12 June. Of course, I can"t promise I"ll succeed."
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