Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) secretary-general Hassan al-Thawadi has announced that the SC is working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and FIFA to launch an international initiative aimed at supporting refugees and displaced people around the world.
The announcement was made during al-Thawadi’s participation in a panel discussion at the 2018 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City, US.
A delegation from the SC, led by al-Thawadi, has taken part in the summit held on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, www.sc.qa reports. Along with al-Thawadi, the panel discussion on the role of mega-sporting events in facilitating sustainable development featured David Miliband, president and CEO of the IRC and former UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
During the discussion, which was moderated by the co-founder, chairman and CEO of Concordia, Matthew Swift, al-Thawadi highlighted how the 2022 FIFA World Cup is helping accelerate positive social change in Qatar and around the world.
“Qatar has always recognised the ability of the FIFA World Cup and the power of football in facilitating positive development, which is why we bid to host the tournament,” the SC secretary-general said. “We have utilised the tournament as a platform to launch several legacy programmes, including Generation Amazing, which works on developing leadership and life skills among youth in vulnerable communities in countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Jordan, Lebanon and others. More than 250,000 participants have benefited from the programme since its launch.
“Building on this strong foundation we have built in facilitating sustainable social development, we are on course to launch an international initiative aimed at supporting refugees and displaced people around the world, in collaboration with the IRC and FIFA. We hope to announce the details of the initiative and the various activities it will undertake soon.”
Miliband reiterated the important platform the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar can provide in shedding light on important social issues, including those facing the millions of refugees and displaced people around the world. He added that such mega-events provide an unprecedented opportunity to support resolving humanitarian issues, and help facilitate access to basic rights for people in areas including education, healthcare and training.
Miliband also expressed his hopes for the SC to engage millions of fans on all five continents as partners in resolving the issues facing refugees and displaced people around the world. Al-Thawadi also highlighted, during the discussion, other ways in which the 2022 FIFA World Cup has helped facilitate positive social development, including the reforms witnessed by Qatar’s labour market.
Alongside al-Thawadi, this year’s speakers at the Concordia Annual Summit include President of Brazil Michel Temer, President of Colombia Ivan Duque Márquez and CEO of the World Bank Kristalina Georgieva.
Hassan al-Thawadi with David Miliband and Matthew Swift during the panel discussion.
