10th EFDN Conference off to a Great Start
Today, on 21st of March 2018, EFDN had the pleasure, along with its host Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, to welcome more than 100 delegates from all across Europe at its 10th EFDN #Morethanfootball milestone conference in Paris.
The event includes a series of gatherings across the two days for the representatives that are coming from diverse backgrounds in Community and Social Responsibility in European Football. Delegates include Rangers FC, Juventus, SL Benfica, Feyenoord Rotterdam, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Motherwell FC, FC Shakhtar Donetsk, Bilbao Athletic, Randers FC, Aberdeen FC, PSV, Club Brugge, GNK Dinamo, RasenBallsport Leipzig, Hapoel Tel Aviv and many more.
Stimulate innovative ideas within CSR
In the morning of the 21st of March, representatives were able to follow a panel discussion on the subject ‘Tackling Racism in Football’. The panellist, Tony Higgins (FIFPro), Federico Addiechi (FIFA), Paul Elliot (Ambassador) and Hubert Rovers (EFDN) discussed approaches on how to eliminate racism, discrimination and intolerance in and through football a topic that has become a major priority in recent years in professional football.
Additionally, delegates had the opportunity to follow a presentation given by Gabriele Hartmann, head of SAP SE’s CSR. In her presentation, she addressed the companies vision to use the power of football and the help of technology to have an impact on young people.
Afterwards, the Real Madrid Foundation presented the work that the Foundation has delivered throughout the past 20 years.
Developing stronger programmes with sustainable impacts
A number of conference attendees had the opportunity to follow a breakout session given by Donna- Marie Henry from the Celtic FC Foundation. In her presentation, Donna-Marie provided 
an overview of Celtic FC Foundation, including its delivery model, key priority areas and examples of the project delivery. Afterwards, there was a particular focus on the Foundation’s Scottish Government CashBack funded Gateway to Employment project.
Philip Duffy, CEO of Everton in the Community presented the foundation’s community programme Everton 4 Employment – “Making it Work” in one of the breakout- session. The session left the attendees very inspired about employability programmes.
For the first day of the conference, EFDN in cooperation with the EPFL had specifically designed sessions that provided leagues and FA’s with in-depth information on challenges and opportunities in CSR in football.
#Morethanfootball Action Weeks kick off
At the end of the day, EFDN and the ECA kicked of the 2018 #Morethanfootball Action Weeks a very special moment for all conference attendees. In particular, since the organisations revealed the 2018 #Morethanfootball Action Weeks video which will be used at international matchdays to promote the power of football to change peoples’ lives for the better. Additionally, a number of conference attendees shared their personal vision on the ability of football to tackle societal problems.
The inspiring moment launched an initiative that will run from 21st of March until 8th of April and provides professional football clubs, foundations, community trusts, leagues and FA’s with the opportunity to showcase the work they are doing. The #Morethanfootabll Action Weeks are supported by EFDN, the ECA and the UEFA Foundation for Children.
The first day of the conference proved to be very enjoyable and informative and we are looking forward to the second day of the event, which promises to be just as inspirational.
