This Saturday the first vice-president of the FC Barcelona Foundation, Ramon Pont, received the European Development Foundation AEFE’s European Award for Excellence in Charity and Culture on behalf of the FC Barcelona Foundation. The organisation awarded the acknowledgement to the FCB Foundation for “its positive efforts to promote civic and sports values among youth.”

The award ceremony took place at Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I and was attended by Ramón Palou, Sergi González, Enric Roca, Marta de Llauder, Lola Bou, Xavier Aguilar, Mohammed Chaib and Antoni Tombas.

Banco de los Alimentos, the Fundación Abadía de Montserrat and the Spanish Association against Cancer were also acknowledged during the award ceremony.

The European Development Foundation AEFE works to promote unity between Europeans and honours organisations on a yearly basis that work to encourage the values of culture, society and charity.

This Wednesday President Sandro Rosell unveiled Barçakids, FC Barcelona Foundation’s new project. The opening ceremony was held in CEIP Brazil in Barcelona and was attended by the FC Barcelona director Ramon Pont and various representatives of the Foundation.

Representatives from other organisations that collaborated on the project were also present: director chief of the Obra Social ‘la Caixa,’ Elisa Durán, district councilor of Sant Martí, Eduard Freixedes, and the secretary general of sports of the Generalitat de Catalonia, Ivan Tibau.

Rosell declared that the initiative is “the most ambitious educational project ever taken on by the FC Barcelona Foundation” and he went on to tell the children what values the project aims to foster. The secretary general of sports, Ivan Tibau, said that “I tip by hat to Barçakids, it’s a project that demonstrates the Club’s commitment to the country.”


What is Barçakids?

Barçakids is a programme developed by the FC Barcelona Foundation for children between the ages of 6 and 12 years old, which aims to promote and encourage values through the principles of sports, play and inclusive and active participation.

The objective is to promote critical thinking and the knowledge to seek out habits and attitudes that help personal and collective growth through educational rigor and dynamic and innovative processes.

Schools and online

The Barçakids project will have two points of contact: the classroom and the internet. The classroom portion of the project will last three days. Children will divide up into groups and each group will devote a full day to the project's curriculum. The project is designed for groups of 50 children a day, meaning that each school where Barçakids will operate will have 150 beneficiaries.

Each participant school will be given an ‘Edukit,’ a portable resource packet designed to look like a mini-football field. This resource packet contains athletic gear, screens, portable tables and school material.

These tools will help the schools teach the five basic values that Barçakids seeks to share with the children: respect, effort, ambition, team work and humility. These values make up the foundation of FC Barcelona, and the values are shared by Barça partner institutions like UNICEF and the educational curriculum of the Department of Education of the Generalitat of Catalonia.

Barçakids’ online resource (www.fcbkids.cat) is designed to give the project continuity. The online resource provides recreational and educational materials for the teaching community (teachers, educators, families and children) outside the classroom.

15,000 participant children in the 2012/13 scholastic year

15,000 kids from Catalonia (including the Poniente region and Catalunya Norte), Valencia, the Balearic Islands, Andorra and Alguer (Italy) will participate in the Barçakids project this year.

The ‘We are what we eat’ initiative will highlight the importance of eating fruit in a new video campaign set to be released this week. The dish in focus will be Macedonia fruit salad, a nutritious, healthy and easy to make dessert. The objective of these videos is to encourage children to make simple meals with food needed in a healthy diet.

There are more recipes on the initiative’s official website, www.somelquefem.com, as well as addition resources for parents and sports coaches.

This Tuesday 20 inmates from the Penitentiary Centre Murcia I visited the FC Barcelona installations thanks to the organization’s social reintegration project. After visiting the FC Barcelona Museum in the morning, the inmates played a football match against a team of veterans from the Barça Players Association. The match was held on one of the fields next to the Mini Estadi. The Club was represented by the patron of the FC Barcelona Foundation, Xavier Pérez Farguell.

The FC Barcelona Foundation, in collaboration with the Barça Players Association, worked with the Penitentiary Centre Murcia I to make this trip possible for the inmates and thus help in their social reintegration.

Juan Carrión, social coordinator at Penitentiary Centre Murcia I and president of the Peña Barcelonista Totana, lead the expedition from Murcia to Barcelona.

FC Barcelona Foundation’s healthy eating campaign unveils another recipe this week: an orange and banana yogurt smoothie.

The programme, named “Futbol Net” will be launched in 2013 by the FC Barcelona Foundation and will use sport to promote skills of teamwork, accountability and leadership in children between the ages of eight and seventeen.

Shell is running the program in Qatar in partnership with the Qatar Football Association to promote a healthy and active lifestyle in support of the Qatar National Vision 2030.

Shell’s Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa, Mr. Mark Carne, FC Barcelona’s CEO, Mr. Antoni Rossich and FC Barcelona Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Josep Cortada, expressed their excitement at signing the agreement to deliver this innovative project.

“We use the universal language of football to instill values in children to help them in their development, be it on the pitch or in their communities” said FC Barcelona’s CEO, Mr. Antoni Rossich.

The partnership between Shell and FC Barcelona Foundation is the first of its kind in the Middle East. “FutbolNet” will operate at the grassroots level to empower youth and enhance their skills through a value-based coaching methodology.

A key driver for Shell to partner with FC Barcelona Foundation is the fact that the football club is not only globally recognized for its sporting excellence, but also for its unique social commitment.

“Shell is proud to be partnering with the FC Barcelona Foundation on this exciting initiative. This is about giving young people the life skills they need to succeed, in a region where youth unemployment is a serious challenge,” said Mark Carne.

The FC Barcelona Foundation has developed different programs using sports as a vehicle to promote positive values to children and teenagers all over the world. The FC Barcelona Foundation has international partnerships with different UN Agencies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos and the Leo Messi Foundation."

Shell is one of the largest foreign investors in each of the countries where Futbol Net will operate. This partnership brings two very different enterprises together with a shared vision and shared values. Shell believes in creating opportunity for people in the community and we are excited about the potential of this programme to help young people build skills that will enhance their lives.

Shell and FC Barcelona Foundation are in the process of engaging with the relevant organizations and institutions in Iraq, Oman and Qatar to implement the initiative.

On Friday, Leo Messi was at the Ciutat Esportiva to welcome a group of children suffering from serious illnesses, most of them from abroad, from such countries as the USA, Canada, Israel, the UK, Greece, Holland, Switzerland, Italy and Portugal.

Today was one of the happiest days in these children’s lives. The big dream they all shared was the chance to meet the Barça star and spend some time with him, and today that dream came true.

On one of the fields next to La Masia, Messi exchanged views with all of them, signed autographs and even kicked the ball around with them.

The meeting forms part of the ‘Tot és possible / Todo es posible / All is possible’ campaign, and involved Messi giving each of the beneficiaries a shirt carrying that slogan, as well as different FC Barcelona products and tickets for the Camp Nou Experience.

This activity was possible thanks to the Argentinian’s social awareness and his work in conjunction with the Leo Messi Foundation, the FC Barcelona Foundation, the Make-A-Wish® Spain Foundation and the Ànima Foundation. It was organised in association with World Children’s Day on November 20, which focuses on promoting the welfare of children, and especially those in the most vulnerable situations.

Saturday December 1st is the World AIDS Day and the Fundació FC Barcelona has joined in the celebrations to highlight the fight against the disease. After 30 years, there is finally a hope that the disease can be beaten and La Fundació aims to make this Saturday’s game against Athletic Blbao at the Camp Nou a platform to stress the importance of continuing the struggle against AIDS.

Support for two campaigns

The Fundació is giving its support to two campaigns: the first is promoting awareness of the disease – the campaign ‘Barcelona dóna la cara per la sida’ organised by the Fundació Lluita contra la Sida (FLS) and the second is collecting funds for investigation via the ‘Amigos de Malik’ campaign led by the Metges Sense Fronteres (MSF) charity.

The former aims to increase awareness amongst the general public of the effects of this terrible disease via a gala dinner and the illuminating of various buildings in the city with red light on December 1st, whilst the support for Malik campaign aims to highlight the importance of avoiding the transmission of the disease from mothers to children in Africa.

Activity in the Camp Nou

The Fundació will distribute red ribbons – the symbol of the fight against AIDS- in the ground during the game against Bilbao, as well as stickers and flyers with information about the campaign being run by Metges Sense Fronteres ‘Amigos de Malik’.

The Camp Nou presenter Manel Vich will also mention the campaigns in his announcements and the before the match the video screen at the ground will show the two TV spots created by the campaigns.

You can find more information concerning the two campaigns at: www.barcelonadonalacaraperlasida.org

Leo Messi, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, lends his voice to UNICEF’s fight against infant mortality.

The video is part of UNICEF Spain’s ‘Cumpledía’ campaign. The campaign is designed to fight against infant mortality and malnutrition, which is the leading cause of death of over 6,400 children every day.

The jury of the ninth Vázquez Montalbán International Journalism Award has named the winner of the sportswriter category as Britain’s Nick Hornby, highlighting him as “a magnificent journalist and writer, an author who has been able to interpret sport as one of the great social phenomena of our time, showing style, grandeur and creativity, just like Vázquez Montalbán himself”.

The sportswriter category of this award is decided by the FC Barcelona Foundation and the Journalism College of Catalonia and the presentation will take place in the first quarter of 2013. This year’s jury was formed by Sandro Rosell, Ramon Pont, Carles Vilarrubí, Josep Cortada, Daniel Vázquez, Mònica Terribas, Joaquim Maria Puyal, Borja de Riquer, Jordi Basté, Anton M. Espadaler, Jaume Pujol-Galcerán, Ramon Besa, Santiago Segurola and Xavier Folch.

The winner: Nick Hornby

Born in Redhill, England, in 1957, Nick Hornby started out as a writer for ‘The Sunday Times’ and ‘The Independent’, as well as being a teacher of English literature, author and film scriptwriter.

In 1992 he published ‘Fever Pitch’, a groundbreaking book in terms of explaining the relationship between football, its supporters and all other aspects of life. In explaining his passionate relationship with Arsenal, which started like that of so many other fans when his father took him to the local stadium to watch a match, Hornby explains the universal bond between supporters and the teams they follow. In ‘Fever Pitch’ the British writer reveals his insuperable ability to paint the portrait of the typical supporter through his own personal experiences with the Gunners of Highbury.

Following his breakthrough publication, Nick Hornby went on to become one of the most cherished British novelists of his era. Books such as ‘High Fidelity’, ‘About a Boy’, ‘How to Be Good’, ‘A Long Way Down’ and ‘Juliet, Naked’ have all been massive hits, as have his essays, such as ‘31 Songs’, a book that many music lovers consider the pinnacle of excellence.

Twenty years have passed since the release of ‘Fever Pitch’, but Hornby has always remained associated to football. The editor of ‘My Favourite Year: A Collection Of Football Writing’ and ‘The Picador Book Of Sportswriting’, Nick Hornby maintains his passionate relationship with Arsenal and his witty slant on the football world and what it means in these times of globalisation.

Since last September, Carles Puyol has been the image of the ‘We are what we eat’ campaign to encourage healthy eating habits. In the promotional video for this FCB Foundation backed initiative, the centre back displays his skills with an orange as he invites viewers to eat fresh fruit. Now you have the chance to enjoy the ‘making of’ the video, including unpublished footage of the Barça captain juggling an orange, as well as discovering some of the tricks used in the filming process.

‘We are what we eat’ has been running workshops for the last three months to teach children all around Catalonia about the need for a balanced and healthy diet, including a series of curious fruit recipes that are commonly offered on the menu at La Masia.

Further information about the project at: www.somelquefem.cat

This afternoon FC Barcelona first team players Adriano Correia, Isaac Cuenca and Marc Muniesa visited the FC Barcelona Foundation’s ‘Som el que mengem’ [We are what we eat] stand at the Barcelona Infant Festival. The three footballers participated in nutrition workshops and spent time with the children that visited the stand. The players then signed autographs and posed for pictures with the children.

Athletes lead by example

The ‘We are what we eat’ campaign, which highlights first team players and La Masia residents as examples to follow, will have a booth at the Barcelona Infant Festival through January 4. This space offers children the chance to learn about fruit and the Mediterranean diet through recreational activities.

Workshops for children between 4 and 10 years old

Visitors to the ‘We are what we eat’ campaign’s stand can choose from two different workshops and a variety of recreational activities. The first of the two workshops is called ‘These are my colours.’ The workshop is designed for kids between the ages of four and seven years old. At the workshop, children learn the importance of adding fruit variety to their diets.

The second workshop is called ‘Eat like a champion.’ This workshop is designed for children between the ages of 7 and 10. At the ‘Eat like a champion’ workshop, children are taught the importance of eating basic foods, like cereal and yogurt.

The Festival comes to an end on Friday

After participating in the workshops, visitors can pose with cutouts of FC Barcelona’s first team players and trophies won by the team in recent seasons.

The booth is located in Pavilion number 1 (plaza del Univers) on the Montjuic fairgrounds. Hours of operation are from 11.00 to 20.00 through January 4.

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After the open-door training session at the Miniestadi – nearly 14,000 spectators watched from the stands – the first team participated in the yearly tradition of visiting children in local Barcelona hospitals. The hospital visits were coordinated and organised by the FC Barcelona Foundation’s ‘A dream for a present’ campaign.

The team, divided up into seven groups, visited seven hospitals. The children got their first Three Kings Day gift a couple of days ahead of time: Getting to meet their idols and role models [Catalonia tradition calls for giving gifts on Three Kings Day, January 6]. Additionally, the players, managers and Club directors brought gifts for the children.

Rosell, at Hospital de Barcelona

President Sandro Rosell led the FC Barcelona delegation at Hospital de Barcelona, where he was accompanied by Eduard Coll and captain Carles Puyol.

First team manager Tito Vilanova stayed at the Club’s facilities. His assistant, Jordi Roura, visited Barcelona’s Children Hospital along with Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano and José Manuel Pinto.

Director of Football Andoni Zubizarreta led his group to Vall d’Hebron Hospital. He was accompanied by Abidal, Alves, Adriano and Alexis.

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The methodology employed in ‘FutbolNet,’ a program designed for children between the ages of 8 and 16, consists of dividing up each session with the children into three distinct parts with the objective of teaching children the following values: dedication, respect, tolerance, team work, responsibility and effort.

The first part of the session consists of both teams coming to terms over the rules of the match. The second part of the session is the match itself. And the third part of the session sees both teams gather to discuss how well the rules of the game were followed.

The match is overseen by a ‘teamer,’ this person plays a role different to that of a traditional referee, as he/she looks to favour the interrelation and dialogue between the players.

FC Barcelona and the social group Spirit of Football are collaborating to foster values and understanding among communities through a charity initiative being set up in January. Spirit of Football is a non profit making organisation that every four years sets out a journey through different countries with ‘The Ball’, going from England (where football was invented) to eventually reach the venue of the World Cup (it will reach Brazil in 2014). The ball is signed by the inhabitants of each place it visits and travels to centres and schools in order to unite communities and express the enriching components and values of this sport, to finally arrived fully signed in Brazil.

The ‘Barça Spirit’ ball is created

On the basis of this project, FC Barcelona, via its Foundation, and Spirit of Football have created a new initiative: ‘The Barça Spirit Ball’. The first team players have recently signed an official Spirit of Football ball, which has just been sent to Brazil, the host nation of the next World Cup in 2014. In 2013 and part of 2014, this ball will travel to more than 100 schools in different parts of Brazil, including education centres in some of the ‘favelas’. It is estimated that some 50,000 people, especially children, will be able to view the ball signed by the FC Barcelona players, and participate in the teaching sessions promoting the education and values that this sport and Barça represent, and thus reinforce the bond between communities. After this long journey around Brazil, ‘The Barça Spirit Ball’ will be exhibited in the São Paulo Football Museum.

The following promotional video features the first team players supporting the cause. Further information at:

http://www.sof2014.com.br/
www.facebook.com/sof2014
www.twitter.com/sof2014
http://spiritoffootball.com

Speaking today at the Oman Sports Exhibition in Muscat, senior representatives from FC Barcelona Foundation, Shell Development Oman, the Ministry of Sports Affairs and the Ministry of Education, announced that an innovative project known as ‘FutbolNet’ is being considered for four cities of Oman: Muscat, Barka, Sohar and Bedia.

FC Barcelona Foundation Vice-president Mr. Ramon Pont, and Shell Development Oman Country Chairman Mr. John Blascos, expressed their enthusiasm at the presentation of this project, which is in the process of being finalised with Oman’s Ministry of Sports Affairs and Ministry of Education.

“We would like to thank the people of Oman for their warm welcome and support to this project; we are all excited to be part of this initiative” said FC Barcelona Foundation’s Vice-president, Mr. Ramon Pont.

Shell Development Oman Country Chairman Mr. John Blascos added: “This is another exciting initiative that Shell is looking to introduce in Oman as part of our community investment in the country. I am sure Futbol Net will contribute positively to enhancing important skills among young Omani’s.”

‘FutbolNet’ is an education program which uses football to promote life and leadership skills of commitment, respect, tolerance, teamwork, responsibility and effort amongst children between the ages of ten to seventeen. The program has been well received by Omani stakeholders who feel it is a great benefit to the individual and collective development of youth in the country.

The partnership between Shell and FC Barcelona Foundation, which is yet to be implemented on the ground in Oman – is the first of its kind in the Middle East, and will eventually be replicated in Qatar and Iraq. A key driver for Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs and Oman Ministry of Education and Shell Development Oman to partner with FC Barcelona Foundation is the fact that the football club is not only globally recognized for its sporting excellence, but also for its unique social commitment.

The FC Barcelona Foundation has developed different programs using sports as a vehicle to promote positive values amongst children and teenagers all over the world. The FC Barcelona Foundation has international partnerships with different UN Agencies, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Fundación Pies Descalzos and the Leo Messi Foundation."

FC Barcelona, FCB Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today launched a video featuring Sandro Rosell, President, Fútbol Club Barcelona and FC Barcelona Foundation, and Bill Gates, Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The video reaffirms the organizations’ shared set of values – commitment to society, helping children around the world and global responsibility. Using the tagline “More than a Goal. End Polio", the organizations first announced their partnership in July 2011.

"By combining FC Barcelona’s reach and fans around the world, with the Gates Foundation’s partnerships and global voice, we can mobilize support and resources we never before imagined", says Gates. “We hold a shared belief that our responsibilities as global citizens extend far beyond our borders. In doing so, we can educate others to embrace like values,” says Rosell.

In addition to its success on the field, FC Barcelona is recognized globally for its work to improve the lives of children. With a passionate and dedicated fan base that reaches every corner of the world, FC Barcelona inspires its supporters not only by its play but by its desire to make the world a better place.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation believes that all lives have equal value and that everyone deserves the chance to live a healthy and productive life. The foundation works on some of the world’s most difficult challenges, and believes they can be solved with the support of partners across many different fields.

One shared aspiration is working together to help end polio forever. Today there are the fewest number of new polio cases in the fewest countries. The video inspires FCB fans to visit www.facebook.com/morethanagoal to learn more about how close the world is to accomplishing this incredible goal and join the conversation about the need to protect all children against polio, a preventable, debilitating disease.