For the young people who came to Alexandra, the Football for Hope Festival was not just about playing football. The whole first week was dedicated to exchange activities, learning opportunities and cultural excursions in and around Johannesburg. Special programmes for the players, delegations leaders, young leaders and coaches were on offer from June 28 to July 3.

	Meeting the world and telling your story The young participants participated in workshops and activities focussing on topics such as HIV/Aids awareness, intercultural communication, dance and arts. During a Youth Forum they were given the opportunity to share their personal stories and talk about the role that football has played in their lives. Through the ‘Siyakhona’ programme, the young people participated in photography workshops and documented their experience at the festival. And, of course, there was a big focus on football and  how it is used around the world to promote social change.
	Global learning in practice – the Young Leaders Team Eight people from five different organisations in Germany, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Rwanda formed the Young Leaders Team. They delivered workshops on mediation to the delegation’s young leaders and presented their experience of intercultural learning. This initiative was coordinated by streetfootballworld network member KICKFAIR and is an outstanding example of how networking can achieve tangible results and bring people together with a common mission.
	Exchanging experiences and learning new skills Alongside the players’ programme, the coaches and delegation leaders had opportunities to meet and learn from each other. FIFA partner adidas delivered a ‘Coerver’ coaching session to the coaches. On July 6, the delegation leaders were joined by fellow coordinators from the streetfootballworld network member organisations for the network’s first General Assembly.
	The 2010 FIFA World Cup – South Africa at its best Of course, there was another tournament that took in South Africa! The festival delegations got the chance to experience the FIFA World Cup up close. The delegations got to know their host city from different perspectives. A township tour in Alex and visits to the Apartheid Museum, an animal park and other sights in town were all on the itinerary

The Football for Hope Festival 2010 was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all participants, that gave them a wealth of experience to share with their friends, families and colleagues at home. We hope that the energy from Festival 2010 will help them spread the word of social change in their communities and beyond to make this festival something that lasted not just two weeks but a lifetime for 256 ambitious and courageous young leaders.

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