Generation Amazing Foundation (GA) recently participated in the United by Sports Forum, a global conference held in Paris, focused on promoting social inclusion of youth through sports. The forum, which took place one day before the Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, highlighted the importance of sports in fostering social inclusion and gender equality, in alignment with the principles of the Olympic and Paralympic movements. The event brought together key figures from sports organizations, international institutions, NGOs, and athletes to discuss the role of sport in promoting social inclusion, sharing best practices, forming alliances, and strengthening collective ambitions in this field.
The United by Sports Forum featured opening remarks by French Minister of Sport, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, and discussions on social inclusion and the transformative impact of sports on youth empowerment. GA Executive Director, Nasser Al-Khori, highlighted the foundation’s success in engaging and empowering youth through initiatives like Goal 22, a global exchange program for youth empowerment and sports development. The program engaged young leaders from 32 World Cup participating nations in a year-long exchange focused on addressing community challenges such as mental health, social cohesion, and gender equality through sport-led projects.
During the Forum, GA representatives showcased the foundation’s initiatives through workshops addressing challenges faced by young leaders. GA Youth Advocate Mohamed Al-Qassabi engaged in dialogue with key figures from major sporting events like Paris 2024, Dakar 2026, and Salt Lake City 2032, exploring how football can equip a generation with skills to become influential change makers in their communities. GA Director of Operations Paulette Sanchez emphasized the need for increased investment in the Sport for Good sector to drive significant social impact. The event took place alongside Festival 24, an international solidarity youth festival organized by Sport Dans La Ville and held during the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.
As a leading sponsor of Festival 24, GA organized two delegations of youth from Right to Play in Pakistan and Força Foundation in Senegal, along with young leaders from Qatar, to participate in the event. Al-Khori expressed excitement about GA’s expanding focus beyond football to include other sports for development, aiming to increase both impact and reach. The Foundation’s participation in the Forum and Festival 24 highlights its commitment to empowering communities and creating sustainable social impact through sports. With growing recognition of the role of sports in promoting social inclusion, Generation Amazing Foundation is well-positioned to continue its impactful work in empowering youth worldwide.
