In October, thirty Mancunians will travel to Bangladesh for a a ten day fact-finding and solidarity-building tour, that includes playing two football matches. On their return, they will become “climate warriors”, spreading word of their experiences at schools, youth centres and other venues and building longer-term links between Manchester and the communities they visited. The climate warriors will “build awareness from this experience and implement change in their own lives as well as advocate for behavioural change in the communities they live in.”
The project, organised by “Response Worldwide” and Manchester Athletic Football Club, is the brainchild of two local councillors- Rosa Battle (Bradford ward) and Luthfur Rahman (Longsight ward)
Twenty of those on the tour will be young adults who will play two football matches with young Bengalis, to “build friendships and develop long term sustainable links.” The other ten will be from “various Manchester based organisations”, almost certainly including Manchester City Council, Manchester University and the like.
Fundraising will take place through the year (a grant bid has been submitted to Department for International Development, which supports several projects in Bangladesh), but more will be raised through meals, football competitions, sponsorship from local businesses etc.)
It's not yet clear if a full carbon budget to account for the aviation emissions involved in the return flights has been developed, but 3000 trees are to be planted. MCFly will be covering the story as it develops. For further information contact cllr.l.rahman@manchester.gov.uk
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