Ammon News - * AFDP and PepsiCo celebrate World Refugee Day with 'Kick for Hope'

AMMONNEWS In commemoration of World Refugee Day, the Asian Football Development Project (AFDP) and Official Partner PepsiCo in collaboration with Spirit of Soccer, Save the Children, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), ُthe Asian Football Confederation (AFC), www.CyberDodo.org, Norwegian Football Federation and Jordan Football Association launched today, June 20, 2013, Kick for Hope on World Refugee Day, a football festival for children residing in the Zaatari refugeecamp and surrounding areas in Northern Jordan.

Under the patronage of HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein as Chairman of AFDP, the Yarmouk University Stadium will played host to the grassroots festival where refugees from Syria between the ages of 10-14 joined young Jordanians on the field to participate in football, educational and social activities. The festival aims to raise awareness in the international community about the dire situation of the Syrian children and their families who have fled the conflict in Syria, and to bring light to the role of sport in rehabilitation during the past six months through Mine Risk Education (MRE) and Resilience Training football-focused workshops which benefited young girls and boys in refugee communities. The workshops were aimed towards reducing the number of fatalities and injuries caused by land-mines and other Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) while engaging the children in fun exercises that help them build friendships and restore hope.

"I would like to thank PepsiCo and all our partners for enabling AFDP to provide better care for our at-risk children up-north and alleviate some of the strain. Football is a popular sport amongst young boys and girls throughout, leveling the playing field amongst all children and reminding us of our common humanity," said Prince Ali, who serves as FIFA Vice President representing Asia.

“PepsiCo believes in the power of football as a mechanism to unify, educate and provide valuable life lessons for young people, and today we would like to further our commitment to driving positive change, with a particular emphasis on building resiliency for therefugee youth in Jordan, with the help of HRH Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and our AFDP partner,” said Nidal Hamam, General Manager of PepsiCo Jordan.

“'Kick for Hope' represents a fantastic way to bring communities together, and normality back to lives of refugees. It shows how by investing in their young people, Syrians and Jordanians can support each other, play and work together for the future. Thanks to AFDP and its partners for this important initiative," commented Andrew Harper, UNHCR's Representative to Jordan.

"We are very proud to be involved in this initiative that highlights the plight of too many of the world's population. Through the game we must continue to build bridges that will lead to better communication and cooperation and less conflict," said Scotty Lee, Founder and CEO of Spirit of Soccer.

For 'Kick for Hope on World Refugee Day', Save the Children promoted social inclusion and cohesion with children participating in life skills through sports activities. Tamer Kirolos, Country Director of Save the Children International in Jordan said, “Football educates and empowers children, it also provides a sense of normalcy and more importantly instills hope and aspirations. These children may have fled a terrible conflict, but this day calls to the world that when given the chance, these children are capable of great things. We must continue to do everything we can to ensure the enormous potential of refugee children is given the chance to flourish. Recognizing aday like this is the first step in that process.”

AFC is fully behind the festival and provided support to aid in raising awareness of the issue globally. West Asia, especially Syria and Jordan, have a huge number of refugees, which AFC hopes can be brought to the attention of the international community through 'Kick for Hope on World Refugee Day'.

During this event, CyberDodo informed children on the United Nations' International Convention on the Rights of the Child using exclusive cartoons followed by a ceremony during which the children signed the Convention. The goal of this initiative (inspired by similar events organized by CyberDodo in India) will not only be to raise awareness but also to make sure that children understand that they have rights which must be fully understood and implemented. “If you defend a right, the situation will improve temporarily. If you teach a boy or a girl about their rights and duties, our world will improve forever,” said Alice Martin, psychologist and co-founder of CyberDodo.

"Handshake for Peace is created by us together with Nobel Peace Center," says Yngve Hallen, President of the Norwegian Football Association, "Like last year, Handshake for Peace will be our key element also during World Refugee Day." Present in Amman, Mr. Hallen will discuss further development of the cooperation between Jordan and Norway in football.

President of the Union of European Football Associations Michel Platini had commended AFDP's efforts at the camp which he witnessed first-hand during his visit earlier this week. "This is a very difficult stage in the lives of the displaced children and I am proud to witness how UEFA's support to AFDP is bringing them positivity and ways to learn and feel safe," Platini said.

This year's edition follows on the successful World Refugee Day 2012 grassroots festival "Our Goal is The Future" which took place in the Jordanian Capital last year.