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Archive for October, 2009

Be louder together! Stop violence against street children

Consortium for Street Children Campaign

It’s now less than one month until the world celebrates the 20th anniversary of the UN convention on the Rights of the Child on the 20th November.

The Consortium for Street Children (CSC) recently launched a new campaign REALISING RIGHTS: STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST STREET CHILDREN which includes an online petition. The Consortium for Street Children hope to get 100 signatures on this petition before the anniversary of the UN convention on the Rights of the Child on 20th November.

Add your name to the petition here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Realising-Rights

With your support the CSC can send the petition to important high-level decision and policy maker such as the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Street Children, the newly appointed UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, and the International Police Association.

Please tell your friends about this opportunity to help. This is an ideal chance to show the world that street children matter and have rights too.

CSC campaigning really makes a difference…

The Consortium for Street Children feature in several sections of a recent International Development Committee enquiry, which offers recommendations to the Department for International Development (DFID) who, in turn, advise the UK government. The report makes several groundbreaking points.

The report highlights the important differences between street children and other children living in urban areas and urges that a distinction must be made between the two. This encourages DFID to ensure that it tailors specific “policies and programmes for street children within their approach to urban development” meaning that funding to aid street children will be kept distinct from other funding areas.

It also recommends that “DFID adopt indicators specific to street children within its new International Strategy with UNICEF”.

Add your signature today http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Realising-Rights and show your support for the important work of the CSC.

Jenny

Published on: 30. 10. 2009 | Read more »

Alastair Campbell and Jamie Redknapp

The names are flying in at Street Child World Cup towers!

Campbell_Big[1]Alastair Campbell, perhaps Burnley’s most well-known fan, will be attending the Street Child World Cup gala dinner  and interviewing Jamie Redknapp, a gentlemen of the game, with a reasonable claim to being part of football’s royal family.Redknapp_Jamie_564272

If you haven’t got your ticket yet, hurry! 

Also joining us:  Tom Watt  BBC Radio 5 Live Fighting Talk guest, Eduardo, Geovanni, and a host of friendly fun people to enjoy a game of table football with.

I’m really looking forward to meeting them all then.  Come along too!

jenny

Published on: 23. 10. 2009 | Read more »

Thandie Newton and Gordon Brown

Not necessarily often mentioned together, it’s true.  But today, both have given their support to the Street Child World Cup.  A very exciting flurry of emails at SCWC central.

gordon brownPrime Minister Gordon Brown says: “No child should have to live on the streets – I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard”.

 

thandie newtonBafta-award-winning actress, Thandie Newton says:   “The Street Child World Cup hosted by Umthombo is a wonderful opportunity to hear the forgotten voices of Street Children – often marginalised, this is their time to be heard and to shine on the world stage. From the football field to governments across the world, this a chance to celebrate the talent that every child has”

Thank you Thandie and Gordon!

jenny

Published on: 22. 10. 2009 | Read more »

UK Team confirmed

More and more pieces are slotting into the Street Child World Cup jigsaw, and from the start we wanted to have a team from the UK, so it is great to be able to confirm that we will be represented by a team of  from Manchester.

The kids that will represent the UK come from the M13 Youth Project.  Their vision is to care for young people growing up in communities that are amongst the most deprived in the country.  This will be a fantastic opportunity for the kids on the project to see first hand how children from other countries cope with life on the streets.   We are delighted to have them on board.

Tom

Published on: 22. 10. 2009 | Read more »

Send a message to your MP now to support the SCWC!

Remember, remember 25 November…

And write to your MP about it today!

On that date, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Street Children will be hosting a special session on the Street Child World Cup. In true SCWC style, presentation will be interactive, arty and fun – I can’t promise there won’t be chocolate footballs involved.

We want to ensure that the Street Child World Cup sticks in the parliamentary mind – especially as we want to encourage more effective funding of street child work from the Department for International Development. Ensuring that our government listens to the experts – street children – when it considers this funding is part of this ongoing campaigning work. The SCWC is all about listening.

So – you can help!

Your MP will have received an invitation to the APPG – but they receive a lot of invitations, and it might take a reminder from you – their constituent – to ensure that it gets into their diary.

It’s very simple.

1) Put your postcode into http://www.writetothem.com It will bring up your MP’s name.

2) Write to them.

You could say something like:

Dear (MP)

I am a supporter of the first ever Street Child World Cup, which will be held in Durban in March 2010.

This event will celebrate the potential of street children and ensure that their voices are heard. It will launch a call for street children’s rights to be upheld all over the world. The Street Child World Cup wants to ensure that street children’s voices are also heard by the Department for International Development and that funding for street child projects is effectively distributed and monitored.

On 25 November, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Street Children will be hosting a special session presenting the Street Child World Cup to UK parliamentarians and representatives from the embassies of each of the participating countries. The meeting will be held from 3.30pm at Room C, 1 Parliament Street.

As your constituent, I would like to commend this meeting to you. It will provide a chance to explore how UK parliamentarians and their counterparts overseas can use their positions to ensure that the rights of street children, some of the most vulnerable of their citizens, are recognised and upheld.

This is an issue of real concern to me and I would be pleased and grateful if you could attend the APPG meeting to find out more.

 

There, it couldn’t be simpler, could it?

Thank you!

Jenny

Published on: 20. 10. 2009 | Read more »

We’re a bit late bringing you this breaking news, I’m afraid. But in the last month there has been significant progress in raising the profile of the problems for street children in South Africa.

Danny Jordaan is the chief executive of the 2010 World Cup and was asked on September 17th if FIFA would support the rounding up of street children.  His response:

“No, we can’t be a society that misleads and creates a false impression. We are a country of diversity, rich and poor, employed and unemployed, and the world must know that we have massive challenges of poverty and housing and we must address these issues … to restore their dignity and human worth; to give them a sense that there is a place in the future for them. Let’s not trample them. It is an unfortunate situation, but it is a reality.”

The full story can be found here.

Jordaan’s voice is one of many that are joining with the Street Child World Cup in supporting the cause of the street children.

We only just discovered that there has been another appearance on the BBC News website as they have been watching the Nicaraguan team train. The Nicaraguan team will be comprised of children who are looked after by our partners at Casa Alianza. There is a wonderful quote from Eneyda Lira of Casa Alianza which sums up what the competition is about:

“We think this Street Children’s World Cup is a great opportunity to show everyone that they are not just dirty, scruffy children who bother you at traffic lights or are seen sniffing glue under bridges,” she says.

“Playing football gives them a sense of their own worth – and shows that the game is not just for the great footballers of the world.”

Please if you do see any reference to Street Child World Cup in the media let us know! We don’t want to miss any.

Tom

Published on: 19. 10. 2009 | Read more »

The Street Children’s “Messiah”

We are always excited to hear about events people are putting on around the world to raise money and awareness for the Street Child World Cup. So naturally we were delighted to learn that St. Luke’s Church Holloway is putting on a performance of Handel’s “Messiah”.

“Messiah” is the world’s best loved choral work, and has a history of benefitting underprivileged children. Over 250 years ago it was first performed at Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital to raise money for the unwanted and unloved children that Coram saw on London’s streets. The first performance raised £728, 3 shillings, and sixpence. Justin Butcher, the choirmaster at St. Luke’s, is hoping that this latest performance will be similarly successful.

They are currently in the process of recruiting for the choir, so if you are London based and are enthusiastic about singing and street children then do get in touch with us (info@streetchildworldcup.org) for more details and we will put you in contact with Justin. Rehearsals start on October 13th, so don’t leave it too late. There is no experience necessary, just a willingness to raise your voice and some money!

The performance is on Sunday December 6th at 7.30. It would be great to see this well supported.

If you are planning on doing something to raise money for Street Child World Cup then do let us know, we would love to hear about it so we can inspire others with your idea. If you wish to put on a fundraising event, but are unsure what to do, then please get in touch with us and look at the fundraising pack you can download from our website, it is full of ideas and resources. Any support is more than welcome and much appreciated!

Tom

Published on: 8. 10. 2009 | Read more »

We’re Deloitte-d!*

In 1845, an enterprising gentleman by the name of William Welch Deloitte set up business just round the corner from the Street Child World Cup offices in London. I have a feeling it doesn’t work this way, but if his ghost still hovers in the EC2M postcode area, maybe he’s been popping into the SCWC offices, and enjoying what he sees.

A shaky introduction to the happy fact that we are delighted to announce Deloitte as the Street Child World Cup official sponsors. Yay for them! We’re so thankful for their generosity and commitment.

This co-incides with the launch of our newly snazzy website – see www.streetchildworldcup.org, colourful, happy, and more informative than our previous pages. By some internet magic I don’t really understand, this blog now updates that website, and our twitter feed. And probably our facebook page as well. Do become a fan, a friend, and help us spread the word further than EC2M.

jenny

* I’m sorry – again. It’s a syndrome.

Published on: 8. 10. 2009 | Read more »

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Endorsements

  • "I know from personal experience just what power football can have to inspire and change young people’s lives whatever their background or nationality. This is what the Street Child World Cup is all about and I give it my full support."
    David Beckham, AC Milan and England Midfielder
  • "No child should have to live on the streets. I commend the Street Child World Cup for providing a platform for the rights of street children to be heard."
    Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister
  • "The Street Child World Cup demonstrates the tremendous potential of every single child, and especially street children, who are so often treated as less than human. I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa – and I urge all governments to guarantee the rights of this most marginalised group of their citizens to lives in which their promise is fulfilled.Quot;
    Archbishop Desmond Tutu
  • "When ever people come across me they laugh. It seems like my mouth is zipped because they talk for us. I wish they could give us a chance to talk for ourselves."
    Mbali, 15, Durban
  • "When people see us by the streets, they say that we are the street boys. But when they see us playing soccer, they say that we are not the street boys. They say that we are people like them. They are people like us."
    Andile, 15, Durban
  • "I experienced hardcore street life in my youth. I know what it’s like. I congratulate the Street Child World Cup project in it’s commitment to bring attention to the plight of Street Children through the power of football."
    Manny Pacquiao, Filipino professional boxer, current WBO World welterweight champion
  • "The Street Child World Cup hosted by Umthombo is a wonderful opportunity to hear the forgotten voices of Street Children – often marginalised, this is their time to be heard and to shine on the world stage. From the football field to governments across the world, this is a chance to celebrate the talent that every child has."
    Thandie Newton, star of Crash and 2012
  • "The Street Child World Cup will use this game, which is loved all over the world, to help give kids a fairer deal. No child should have to be on the street."
    Gary Lineker OBE, former Tottenham, Barcelona, and England Forward and BBC’s Match of the Day presenter
  • "I am delighted that the first Street Child World Cup will take place in South Africa where I know there is a huge passion for football. No child should have to live on the streets and and I fully endorse this campaign giving street children a voice to claim their rights."
    Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Manager
  • "Football and footballers aren’t always in the headlines for the right reasons but the Street Child World Cup harnesses the power of grassroots football to change vulnerable young peoples’ lives for the better across the world through the talent that they have. Good luck to all those taking part."
    David Seaman, Former Arsenal and England Goalkeeper
  • "I’m delighted to endorse the Street Child World Cup. This is a fantastic ground-breaking event, aiming to win rights for street children, not only in Durban but across South Africa – and even the world! I’m sure that every team will be a winner!"
    Sir Cliff Richard
  • "I’ve played football as a teenager with the world watching me. The Street Child World Cup is a brilliant project which will help hundreds of thousands of teenagers who have been forced to live on the streets by getting the world to listen to them and give them a fair chance."
    Theo Walcott, Arsenal and England Forward
  • "No child should have to be on the streets. I am proud to support the Ukrainian team at the Street Child World Cup. Street children need the chance to show the world their potential."
    Andriy Shevchenko, Dynamo Kyiv and Ukraine Captain
  • "It was a privilege to be invited to the launch of the Street Child World Cup at Downing Street. It gives children a voice through football, a platform to express their rights and celebrate their abilities – I’m proud to add my support."
    Wilson Palacios, Tottenham and Honduras Midfielder
  • "Seeing young people enjoying the magic of football is what the game is all about and I feel honoured to be supporting the event for street children taking place in South Africa. The Street Child World Cup is a fantastic grassroots initiative giving a voice to street children through the positive power of football. It’s an example of football making headlines for the right reasons. Good luck to all those taking part!"
    Eduardo, Arsenal and Croatia Forward
  • "I am proud that the first ever Street Child World Cup will be held in my country in 2010. Football has the power to unite people from all over the world and gives young people the discipline and focus to let their true talent shine. No child should have to sleep on the street. I am delighted that the Street Child World Cup will celebrate these children’s potential and call for their rights to be realised.Good luck to all the teams but especially the South African team Umthombo from Durban!"
    Aaron Mokoena, Portsmouth Midfielder and South Africa’s Captain and most capped player
  • "The Football Association commends initiatives such as the Street Child World Championships which use the power of football to make a difference to people’s lives"
    Lord David Triesman, F.A. Chairman
  • "The Street Child World Cup is a superb campaign, bringing to attention the issues faced by some of the most vulnerable children in the world"
    Edith Bowman, BBC Radio 1
  • "My career is testament to the global village that football has become. The Street Child World Cup is a groundbreaking campaign highlighting the essential rights that all children must be given. From Montevideo via Brighton and down to Durban – let’s spread the word!"
    Gus Poyet, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Brighton and Hove Albion Manager
  • "South Africa 2012 will be watched by most of the World. The Street Child World Cup is the ultimate opportunity for us all to invest in the grassroots of football. Great campaign."
    Sam Allardyce, Blackburn Rovers Manager
  • "The power of football in the community is undeniable and football is now a global community. I support the Street Child World Cup in raising awareness and support through football for the most vulnerable in our community: street children"
    Owen Coyle, Bolton Wanderers Manager
  • "Throughout my career I have been an advocate of community development through football and the Street Child World Cup is an excellent example of uniting through football in support of young people across the World."
    Alan Curbishley, Former Charlton and West Ham Manager