'Street Child World Cup a tool for good, gives young people a voice'

The Street Child World Cup (SCWC) taking place in Oxygen Park at Qatar Foundation's (QF) Education City this week is demonstrating how it can be used a tool for good, giving young people a voice – regardless of age, gender, or background.The eight-day event concluding on October 15 and held in partnership with QF, includes a World Cup-style tournament that features 28 teams from 25 countries. The event aims to highlight the challenges that marginalised children face, and the fundamental rights they lack, as well as to give them a voice – a platform – to drive change in their communities and beyond, a statement said.Held in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the event – now in its fourth edition –features two teams from Qatar comprised of students from Assalam Schools, initiated by Education Above All’s Together Project and Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education, as well as Qatar Academy Doha (QAD) and Qatar Academy Sidra, which fall under QF’s Pre-University Education.Mohamed Jihad, from Jordan, a 14-year-old student at the Fourth Assalam School, said: “The Street Child World Cup has made me look at life from another perspective and understand different children. It will give us, as students, the opportunity to highlight the challenges that many of these children face. I'm hoping that by taking part, we'll raise awareness and significantly improve their lives.”Alongside the training sessions, where students practiced football drills, identified plays, and learned to work as a team, the young boys and girls also studied in the classroom, learning about the basic rights of people, and, more specifically, the rights of children and the policies that are in place to protect them.Mohamed al-Banihussain, a 15-year-old QAD student, said: “I believe this is a fantastic chance for me to learn about the difficulties that others my age have faced. These young people should have a chance to voice their needs, their wants, and express themselves.”Legacy plays an important role in the Street Child World Cup, and – alongside the football tournament – the participants will also take part in the General Assembly, where they will advocate for the rights of marginalized children through a formal pledge titled “The Qatar Commitment”.“Qatar Academy Doha is an IB school, so a lot of the teaching we do is about being internationally minded,” said Richard J. Boustead, athletics co-ordinator, Qatar Academy High School, the coach for the boys’ team. “The Street Child World Cup is going to be a powerful learning experience for our students, it will help them understand what is happening here and around the world, as well as understand how they can help.”