The Football Village of Hope's objective is to bring together children from both sides of the Palestinian-Israeli border, give them a chance to meet the "other side" and to break the cycle of segregation and distrust.
For six days, 60 children from Kiryat gat, Tul Karem, Ramallah and East Jerusalem will play football together and will receive coaching from professional coaches from the Football Association of Ireland. The children will also visit the Maccabi Haifa training ground and get a chance to meet the players. The children will engage jointly in peace building activities such as classes, mixed group drawing sessions and co-existent workshops.
The plan is that the Football Village of Hope will grow year on year, with more children taking part next year and to be followed by more rounds of children on an annual basis.
The Football Village of Hope's vision is a long term grassroots peace building activity that will become a showcase for Palestinian-Israeli peace building and co-existence. Bringing together children from both sides will hopefully contribute to the future peace between the two nations.
The project is organized by Milo Corcoran, former President of the Football Association of Ireland and current Chairman of the FAI's International Committee, and Ophir Zardok, General Manager of Drogheda United, the League of Ireland Champions. The Village of Hope is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Irish Aid programme, and is supported by Minister Michéal Martin and his predecessor in the Department, Minister Dermot Ahern. The Peres Center for Peace, who have helped greatly with the implementation of the project, and Al Quads Association, are the local partners.
"When I came to Ireland three years ago I saw the co-operation between clubs from both sides of the border in the Setanta Sports Cup and I thought that if football can bring everybody together in Ireland why can't it do the same in the Middle East," said Ophir Zardok.
"We have received tremendous support from the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his department as well as the FAI and I have no doubt that football, as the world game, can make a positive impact with children from Israel and Palestine," said Milo Corcoran.
Former Argentina captain and manager, Daniel Passarella, has agreed to become the 2008 ambassador for the Village of Hope and in attendance during the week.
For interviews and further information please contact -
Milo Corcoran - +353 87 203 4841
Ophir Zardok - +353 85 132 6921