Kuala Lumpur:The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Social Responsibility Committee has approved a three-year initiative called 'Football for Dignity'. This programme is designed to promote inclusion and education through football and will be managed by the Dignity for Children Foundation based in Kuala Lumpur.
According to Emirates News Agency, the programme was approved during the Committee's fourth meeting, which was held virtually. It is set to run from January 2027 to December 2029. Building on the Dignity Cup, which has involved over 11,030 players since 2006, the new initiative will include peace education workshops at approximately 40 schools annually, football-based training focused on conflict resolution and fair play, an annual 'Peace Camp' for cultural exchange, and the Dignity Cup tournament.
The programme plans to engage around 1,350 refugees and asylum seekers from 22 countries each year, alongside students from various educational backgrounds, including local public, private, international, and indigenous schools.
Committee Chairperson Zaw Zaw emphasized the significance of the inaugural AFC Dream Asia Foundation Conference 2025, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in enhancing partnerships that leverage football to support communities.
Additionally, the Committee welcomed new partnerships with Indonesia's Yayasan ASA Asia and Malaysia's The Lost Food Project. They also introduced programme audits to improve transparency and assess the impact of funded projects.
Members of the Committee reviewed the AFC Social Responsibility Toolkit 2026 and the expanded AFC Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy 2026, both launched in August. They also discussed the participation in the AFC Certificate in Child Safeguarding, noting that 208 participants completed the Insights course, 162 completed the Fundamentals module, and 124 graduated from the Essentials level.
Membership in the UN Football for the Goals initiative increased to 38 AFC Member Associations and five Regional Associations, up from 29 and four, respectively, at the Committee's previous meeting.
The Committee also acknowledged the AFC Dream Asia Foundation Board of Trustees' endorsement of four community initiatives: the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association's 'Rebuild, Better, Stronger' Programme, Myanmar Football Federation's Mandalay Football Academy Recovery Programme, Kawasaki Frontale's 'Blue Dream' Programme, and Sharjah Football Club's 'Football for Hope' Programme.
The meeting concluded with updates on ongoing and completed social responsibility programmes across Asian football.