PR/17/2009
Friendly football match between the FC Molenbeek Brussels – Palestinian National Football Team, on 6 May, Edmond Machtens Stadium of Molenbeek-Brussels-Belgium
UNRWA sees its 60-year anniversary in 2009-2010 as a unique chance to further strengthen relations with its target population while maintaining, building and extending its partnership with the European Union and its institutions.
The "UNRWA at 60" commemoration will stage a series of events, putting refugees themselves, and the people who worked with- and alongside the agency as the focal point.
In Brussels, this translated into the "EU–UNRWA Partnership for Peace & Humanity" initiative covering two events funded by the European Commission:
- an academic conference on the "Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Palestine Refugees" at the end of June
- friendly football match "A Goal for Peace" on 6 May between the Palestinian National Team and the FC Molenbeek-Brussels team.
"A Goal for Peace " game will also be a fund raising event for the benefit of Palestine Refugees. It will be hosted at the Edmond Machtens stadium of the Commune Molenbeek and will be preceded by a musical performance from the famous Palestinian musical group "SABREEN". This event is bringing together 7,000 participants who wish to promote understanding and support for sport as a tool for development and peace. All the proceeds of the tickets will benefit the UNRWA Scholarship Endowment Fund which will support young Palestine Refugees in achieving their university education.
On 20 April, the public information campaign for "A Goal for Peace" was "kicked off" in Brussels at a press conference hosted by the UN Regional Information Office Brussels in the presence of :
Mr. Philippe Moureaux, Mayor of the Commune of Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Ms. Christiane Hohmann, Spokesperson of the European Commissioner for External Relations, Ambassador Leila Chahid, General Delegate of Palestine to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, Mr. Johann Vermeersch, President of the FC Molenbeek-Brussels, Mr. Matthias Burchard, Head of UNRWA Liaison Office Brussels & Representative Office Geneva. The conference was moderated by Mr. Rik Lamoral, Secretary General of the European Union of Sports Press.
Philippe Moureaux, Mayor of the Commune of Molenbeek
"Molenbeek has always been a multicultural community where everybody can leave in peace and solidarity. We are very proud to host the Palestinian National Football Team and the entire social society of Molenbeek is mobilised to make a success of this event."
Christiane Hohmann, Spokesperson for the European Commission External Relations
""The European Commission is proud to sponsor "A Goal for Peace", a unique football match which is one of the highlights of the events marking the 60th anniversary of UNRWA. Since 1971 the European Commission has been providing financial support for the crucial work of UNRWA for Palestine refugees, becoming the second largest single donor to UNRWA's budget today."
Leila Chahid, General Delegation of Palestine in Brussels
"I am very proud of the assistance provided by UNRWA to Palestine refugees since now 60 years. But instead of looking back, let's look forward, hoping that UNRWA will no longer be needed in the coming years"
Johan Vermeersch, President of the FC Molenbeek Brussels
"A Goal for Peace is a perfect example that sports are based on tolerance and openness. I am sure that our players and those of the Palestinian National Football Team will do all their best to make out of this match an entertaining and interesting sports event."
Matthias Burchard, Head of UNRWA's Liaison Office Brussels and Representative Office Geneva
"UNRWA has thought hard if it this was an anniversary to celebrate, but was encouraged by our beneficiaries, the Palestine refugees, donor and host countries to go ahead, not by looking back, but looking at the future, illustrating what has been achieved in 60 years by contributing to prosperity and stability of the Middle East region by serving humanity and providing a space where peace can take hold. UNRWA is humbled by the generosity of all partners that make this event possible."
The campaign foresees the distribution of 10,000 posters, and 25,000 leaflets across the Capital Region of Brussels, as well as placing posters on 100 trams and busses for two weeks in addition to emailing and website information.
"A Goal for Peace" initiative is grateful and proud to have found partners in the Capital Region of Brussels, the Belgian Ministry of Social Integration, the UN Office for Sport Development and Peace, the UN Regional Information Office Brussels, and the General Delegation of Palestine in Brussels, and is assisted by various NGOs, among them the Belgo-Palestinian Association, and individuals such as Simone Susskind.
Tickets for the match on 6 May, starting at 18:45, are only available in pre-sale at the ticketing office of the FCM Brussels at the Machtens stadium (www.fc-brussels.be)
For further questions:
FCM Brussels: Mr. Jo de Rop, 0032.2.412 71 75
Municipality of Molenbeek: Mr. Jamal Ikazban, 0032.2.412 37 81
European Commission (Brussels): Christiane Hohmann, 0032.2.299 11 96
General Delegation of Palestine: Mrs. Leila Chahid, 0032.2.735 16 39
UNRWA Brussels: Matthias Burchard, 0032.2.256 75 85
Local media contacts:
Alix de Mauny,
European Commission Press Office, Jerusalem
Mobile: +972 54 802 4915
Office: + 972 2 541 5859
Alix.de-mauny@ec.europa.eu
Christopher Gunness,
UNRWA Spokesperson.
Orange: +972-(0)54-240-2659
Jawwal:+972(0)588-942-8034
Office: +972(0)2-589-0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
-Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972-(0)54-216-8295
Office: +972 (0)2-589-0724
