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The campaign of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to protect children from the horrors of war during the European Football Championships is intensifying as the tournament comes to a close.
The theme of the campaign is "Protect Children from War." The campaign aims to make society understand what children who suffer from the terrible consequences of war really need. Leading up to the final stage of the UEFA Euro 2004 football championship in Portugal this summer, events will focus on four main areas - reuniting children with their families, providing assistance for physical and psychological recovery, meeting the basic needs of children, and campaigning against the exploitation of children in war.
Interest in the campaign is growing. ICRC and UEFA are pleased to see that the campaign is gaining momentum across Europe. "National Red Cross organizations from countries participating in the European football championship are joining the campaign. Among them are Britain, Denmark, Switzerland, and, of course, Portugal," the ICRC statement said. "Initially, the campaign revolved around events in the football world. Now, with the addition of other Red Cross 'families' (such as organizations from Iceland or Austria), it takes on a new aspect, even though teams from those countries did not make it to EURO-2004."
Ambassador referees
Four of the world's top football referees - Pierluigi Collina, Anders Frisk, Markus Merk, and Lubos Michel - are participating in the campaign as ambassadors, with the latter three making a special visit to Sierra Leone related to the campaign. Frisk, Merk, and Michel witnessed the first programs designed to help children who have experienced the consequences of war. In addition, the referees officiated matches between children from two refugee camps.
Seminar to be held
This quartet is intensively preparing for EURO-2004, and at the end of this month in São Felix da Marinha, near Porto, they will participate in a UEFA preparatory seminar for the championship. On the last day of the seminar, April 29, a new stage of the UEFA/ICRC campaign will begin, with the participation of numerous media representatives, UEFA General Director Lars-Christer Olsson, EURO 2004 communication director Gilberto Madail, ICRC communication director Yves Daccord, and the four mentioned referees.
Respect the rules
As a referee, my role is to ensure that players respect the rules of the game. The ICRC works to ensure that those involved in armed conflict respect the laws of armed conflict. It's an interesting partnership," says Collina. "I hope that my participation in the campaign will help football fans and the general public understand the problems that children face in these terrible conditions."
