Manchester City will welcome young leaders from around the world at inaugural Cityzens Giving Young Leaders Summit this week.
Today, 30 young leaders from six cities around the world will be arriving at the City Football Academy in Manchester to take part in the first Cityzens Giving Young Leaders Summit.
Last year, Cityzens Giving gave Cityzens the power to decide how City funded community football projects in six countries led by young people.
Now these young leaders are coming together for the first time to develop their skills, learn from each other, and make friends.
The delegates come from City’s family of Cityzens Giving projects in Manchester, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, New York, Barranquilla and Cape Town. The young leaders are using the funds to tackle a range of issues affecting young people through the power of football, including gang crime, HIV, obesity and inactivity.
During the week they will be taking part in a variety of workshops to develop leadership, management and coaching skills including workshops delivered by sporting legends Will Greenwood and Marion Bartoli, social media training by the Club’s digital team and community coaching lessons with Manchester City FC’s City in the Community team. The week will culminate in a youth led football festival for 200 local school children on Friday 19 June.
19-year old Lena currently delivers the Cityzens Giving project ‘I Speak Football’ in Melbourne and runs weekly inclusive football sessions for 250 socially isolated young people, aimed at building friendships and a sense of community through the global language of football.
“Sport is a big part of my identity therefore I am always willing to contribute to any community program that tackles an issue through sport. I’m really excited about this summit. I’m looking forward to connect with otters young leaders, see how they’re running their projects and look at ways to improve ours. I’m looking forward to improving my leadership skills so I can give back to my community.”
Tom Pitchon, City Football Group’s Foundation Director was also looking forward to welcoming the young leaders to Manchester:
“This summit epitomises the power of football to change lives. We’ve brought together young leaders from different backgrounds, speaking a number of different languages and yet they all share the same goal – to make a difference through football. We’re equipping them with the tools they need to go out and deliver life changing projects in their communities. I feel immensely privileged to connect with such an amazing group of young people and proud of what they’re achieving here in Manchester and around the world.”
To keep up to date on their progress, visit mcfc.co.uk or follow their journey on Twitter at #CityzensGiving
