Coming from as far as Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Finland and Uruguay, the students have travelled to take part in an international universities football tournament set up by the project.
Based in London during their stay, the players will be treated to a series of forums, debates, film showings and cultural presentations, set up through the close links Football Beyond Borders has built with organisations such as Elevation Networks, CAABU (Council for Advancing Arab-British Understanding) and The Amos Trust.
As a sign of its support for the initiative, Kick It Out is hosting a forum on equality and inclusion in football at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University this Monday (25 July) at 7pm. Earl Barrett, a former England international and Kick It Out’s Mentoring and Leadership project manager, will sit alongside Lyndon Lynch, England National Disabilities coach, to answer questions as part of a panel discussion.
A student-empowered movement, Football Beyond Borders engages with communities to create and establish a global network of future leaders who are dedicated to enacting positive social change.
The project is dedicated to social responsibility and international development, breaking down barriers and prejudices, championing education, and engaging with socially marginalised or excluded communities.
So far, the project has seen students travel to Syria, Lebanon and Turkey for 28 days in 2009, and to Ghana for 22 days in 2010. This year, 20 University of London students will travel to Egypt, Gaza, the West Bank and Jordan.
As well as working with Kick It Out, the project has close links with the University of London Union (ULU), the National Union of Students (NUS) and British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS).
To find out more about Football Beyond Borders, please click here.
