Impact and Legacy workshop held in Paris on Tuesday
Nine strategic priorities identified
Aim was to present the sustainable development strategy for France 2019
“To create a unique opportunity to take a step further in developing the game and in promoting diversity in football,” said FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, setting out the goal of the Sustainable Development Strategy of the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018 and the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.
The strategy was outlined at the head office of the French Football Association (FFF) in Paris on Tuesday 27 March. Representatives of the nine Host Cities of France 2019 were invited to attend an Impact and Legacy workshop in the company of Federico Addiechi, FIFA Head of Sustainability and Diversity, and Brigitte Henriques, deputy vice-president of the FFF and the Local Organising Committee (LOC).
“The two upcoming women’s tournaments in France – the U-20 Women's World Cup this summer and the Women’s World Cup next year – will be key phases in the sustainable development of the sport,” explained Addiechi.
“The promotion of diversity in football and in society in general is one of FIFA’s biggest priorities,” he added. “To achieve this objective and ensure the best possible legacy for our global tournaments, the organisation of competitions in accordance with international sustainable development standards and objectives has become a key factor.”
Three key areas, nine strategic priorities, one responsibility It is for this reason that FIFA and the LOC are working closely together and have agreed on a guiding principle to ensure that the Women’s World Cup in France is a sustainable event. Three key areas and nine strategic priorities have been identified:
1. Social
Diversity (promote gender diversity).
Health (offer healthy eating options and a no-smoking environment).
Access for all (fight against all types of discrimination).
Human resources (safeguard the best possible working conditions).
2. Environmental
Biodiversity (protect all natural sites that may be impacted by the organisation of the tournament).
Waste management (reduce/recycle waste resulting from the organisation of the tournament).
Climate change (promote the use of the least polluting modes of transport).
3. Economic
Responsible purchasing.
Supporting of local stakeholders (contribute to job creation in the areas around the Host Cities, etc).
In the first part of the seminar, the initiatives implemented at a national level before and during the tournament in relation to these nine strategic priorities were presented. The Host Cities – Grenoble, Le Havre, Lyon, Montpellier, Nice, Paris, Reims, Rennes and Valenciennes – will have the responsibility of rolling them out locally.
Working groups comprising the Host City representatives were then set up. They looked at issues such as diversity and social cohesion, culture and education, evaluating public policy, and the environment.
“When you organise a tournament of this scale, you have to leave a mark and set an example in terms of legacy,” added Henriques, sounding the start of what is an important task. “This is not just a sporting event, and this is not just 52 well-organised matches; this is also a social event held for the benefit of society. The whole world will have its eyes on the tournament for a month. It is a unique opportunity for you, the Host Cities, to be valued for what you do. It is also a weighty responsibility.”