INTER CAMPUS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS IN NAIROBI

Inter are working with the UN once again; this time they are in the Kenyan capital to discuss sport, disability and the social inclusion of women

On the 25th anniversary of the International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) the Nairobi Summit was held from 12 to 14 November, which was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Gabriele Salmi was Inter Campus’ representative at the summit; Gabriele has been in charge of Inter Campus Congo since 2011 and is also a coordinator at the ONG Alba Onlus which has dealt with the theme of the social exclusion of women in the country. Inter Campus have also faced up to this social issue through their current project in Lubumbashi, which has been active since 2011. “Sport is fundamental in transmitting the values of social coexistence and the importance of inclusion; the popularity of football in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a key factor in eradicating prejudices and difference even in conflict zones.”

The event, which was hosted by Keri Potts, activist and head of communication at ESPN, also included an appearance from David Evangelista, Regional President and Managing Director of the Europe and Eurasia Special Olympics. During his speech he stressed how “the fact we are still here is not good news, it means that promises were made in the past, promises whose progress needs to be accelerated because many women, especially those with intellectual disabilities, still find themselves socially excluded, exploited and stigmatised. The partnership signed between the Special Olympics and UNFPA during the summit aims to further this cause.”

Supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova, who was also present in Nairobi, remarked that “although women make up half of the world’s population, they are caught in a cycle of poverty and exclusion which prevents not only their development as humans, but also the social and economic development of entire nations.”

Many important speeches on theme and role of sport as a tool for social development and for the social inclusion of women, in particular those with disabilities, were given by representatives from Rugby United New York, Shaktar Donetsk and Lokomotiv Moscow.

22.11.2019