On Wednesday, November 12, the first Team4Democracy workshop was scheduled. In doing so, the BELvue Museum and the Club Brugge Foundation officially launched their new collaboration at the Jan Breydel Stadium. With this initiative, we want young people to experience what democracy means in practice and how values such as respect, participation, cooperation and fair play are indispensable on and off the soccer field.
Team4Democracy: where citizenship enters the field
The Team4Democracy workshop, developed by the BELvue Museum, is aimed at students from fifth grade to seventh grade. Through sporting and interactive assignments, youngsters discover the link between soccer and democratic principles. They choose from themes such as impact of words, welfare, rules of the game and inclusion, and thus experience what participation, fairness and connectedness mean within a group. This school year, ten schools will participate in the workshops at the Jan Breydel Stadium. Last Wednesday, the first workshop already took place for school Atlas Atheneum Gistel.
In line with Diversity Wins
The collaboration fits perfectly with the existing Foundation project Diversity Wins, which has been working for six seasons to make young people aware of racism, discrimination and diversity. Through workshops, educational teaching materials and meetings with role models from the world of soccer, more than 500 young people will again learn this season to deal with differences and treat each other with respect, both on and off the field.
"Within Club Brugge, we see diversity as an absolute asset," says Peter Gheysen of Club Brugge Foundation. "With Diversity Wins, we help young people think about racism and discrimination. Team4Democracy builds on that message and makes the bridge between soccer and the values of our democratic society. We are proud to add an extra layer on top of our project with this collaboration."
The BELvue Museum also looks back on this first workshop with satisfaction. "At a time when democratic values are not always obvious, Team4Democracy wants to address this by transforming soccer stadiums into dynamic learning environments where these values come to life," said Luna Carlier, BELvue Museum project coordinator. "Football is more than just a sport: it is a universal language that unites people, across cultures and generations. By working in soccer stadiums, the project takes advantage of an environment full of energy, passion and a sense of community."
Together for greater awareness
With this collaboration, the BELvue Museum and the Club Brugge Foundation are joining forces to strengthen young people's civic competencies. The stadium thus becomes more than a sports arena. It will become a place where young people learn that fair play, respect and participation are the basis of both good soccer and a strong democracy. More information: https: //www.belvue.be/fr/activities/workshop-team4democracy