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Cambridge, MA - The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has announced today that Soccer Without Borders is honored with 2017 FIFA Diversity Award. The FIFA Diversity Award aims to use the global platform of football to promote anti-discrimination. The award was given to Soccer Without Borders for our work using soccer as tool to bring people together, supporting immigrant and refugee youth to integrate into their new communities in the United States and abroad.
“I am happy to see FIFA taking these initiatives. We can talk a lot about inclusion, but this is just a word. Making it happen takes a lot of effort, sustained attention, desire and care. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, and it is truly an honor to be recognized by this,” said SWB Founder, Ben Gucciardi.
With this award FIFA hopes to highlight individuals and organizations globally that have already taken large strides in combating discrimination and exclusion. FIFA encourages individuals and organizations to share their best practices and approaches in hopes of creating a sustainable network and platform for diversity.
“It is FIFA’s duty to promote diversity on the pitch, in the stands and in each area of society that is touched by the most popular sport in the world. The Diversity Award is part of this,” said Fatma Samoura, FIFA Secretary General.
About Soccer Without Borders
Soccer Without Borders, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that runs year-round youth development programs in under-served areas in the USA and abroad, Soccer Without Borders uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change. Through five core activities and a powerful team environment, SWB programs provide youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion and personal success. We believe in the power of soccer, the world’s most popular sport and universal language, to create positive life changes. Since 2006, SWB has led programs and collaborations in eleven countries on five continents, and is best known for its work with newcomer refugee, asylee, and immigrant youth as well as engaging girls of all cultural backgrounds.
About FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is an association governed by Swiss law founded in 1904 and based in Zurich. It has 211 member associations and its goal, enshrined in its Statutes, is the constant improvement of football. Between 1975 and 2002 alone, more than 60 associations were accepted as members. FIFA supports the associations financially and logistically through various programmes and grants them a number of attractive rights and privileges.