Education Above All Foundation and Reach Out To Asia hosted their EMPOWER 2022 Conference in the heart of the World Cup celebrations which explored the theme of Football for Sustainable Development.
We heard inspiring stories by incredible footballers Nadia Nadim and Honey Thaljieh on the power of football for sustainable development off the pitch.
Nasser A. Al-Khori Executive Director of Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy Generation Amazing led a panel on the life-changing opportunities football can provide with Nadia Nadim joined by some of GA’s Game Changers featured in the documentary “Chasing Dreams”. The documentary shares the journey of young Syrian refugees who were given a chance of a lifetime and are now playing semi-professional football in Brazil and Qatar.
Honey Thaljieh gave an inspiring talk on the need for access and gender equality in the game regionally. FfP and Kash Siddiqi made a call to action and introduced an adapted recycled version of the FfP Peace Wall symbolising breaking down barriers metaphorically and physically by bringing together leaders and athletes to take action and pledge to support the UNSDGs.
Special guests present and who participated in the recycled wall activity included HE Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad, Chairperson Qatar Museums, Vice-Chairperson EAA, HE Minister Salah Ghanim Al Ali, Minister of Culture and Sports Qatar, HE Dr Hamda Al Sulaiti, Deputy Speaker of the Shura Council, US Ambassador to Qatar, HE Timmy T. Davis, UK Ambassador to Qatar, HE Jon Wilks and Dr Mazen Al Jaidah, EAA Member of the Board.
