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Sport and citizenship

Doing sport and the values of responsible citizenship come together in sporting spirit as the noblest expression of sport and also of the civic responsibility which should imbue all areas of social activity.

Sport and citizenship is an expression which was popularised during the 1930s by the then chairman of FC Barcelona, Josep Sunyol, in the pages of his sports newspaper “La Rambla”, and Pompeu Fabra, then chairman of the Catalan Sports Federation Union (UFEC). Both these men were enthusiastic promoters and defenders of widespread sports activity as a social strategy designed to foster a sense of civic responsibility.

Sunyol and Fabra believed then, and we at the FC Barcelona Foundation believe now, that the values associated with sporting spirit and the attitudes and behaviour which characterise a good sports player are identical to those which are observed by a good citizen. We are convinced that the values of sporting spirit are the values of civic responsibility, and hence sport is an extremely positive and efficient force for socialisation and cohesion.

The FC Barcelona Foundation has brought together a series of action programmes under the general title of “Sport and Citizenship” which it has grouped into four main areas:

Education and Sportsmanship

We use sport as a model, example and study material in classrooms and the values of sporting spirit as a tool for the human and social development of schoolchildren. Thus these are programmes in which sport is used as a means of education in values.

We promote sports activity that is ethical and genuinely geared towards what is essential in sport so that it can become a positive force for socialisation. To that end we foster sporting spirit with specific action programmes.

Social care and Cohesion

We place all the civic and ethical potential of sport at the service of a fairer and more cohesive society in which there is no discrimination of any kind and the weakest are supported. We publicise our own commitment as people and as sports players to the most disadvantaged.

Words and the Arts

We believe that culture is a social good and a factor in personal happiness and that sport is a vibrant and fundamental part of it. Thus we put in place cultural and artistic initiatives which enrich collective knowledge.

Research, Development and Innovation

Thinking and science and the efforts of creators and researchers are fundamental factors in social progress. Consequently we drive activities which foster scientific progress and seek to ensure that the social and health benefits of these activities are spread as widely as possible.