The Young & the Ambitious: Citizen Participation at the 2030 World Cup
So, it appears 76% of young Moroccans are itching to roll up their sleeves and dive into the world of event management for the 2030 World Cup. Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? A bit like having four unruly cats taking charge of a yogurt factory: chaotic, optimistic, and probably hysterically entertaining. But let’s dive into this delightful discourse with Professor Yasmine Alaoui and Ms. Svetlana Picou, as they unroll their thoughts on youth engagement in major sporting events – because what says “civic duty” more than chasing a soccer ball?
Professor Alaoui’s Awakening: Young People and Their Territorial Destiny
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Yasmine Alaoui:
“The results of this study reveal a profound change in the perception of young people regarding their role in society and, ultimately, in their territorial destiny.”
Right, well, it looks like this isn’t just about wearing a flashy T-shirt and chanting in the streets. Oh no! We’re talking about young minds realizing there’s a deliberate dance happening between them and their community. Citizen engagement is now the cool thing to do, much like all those TikTok dances. Professor Alaoui points out that their involvement in organizing events, like the World Cup, could promote social cohesion. Social cohesion! Isn’t that a phrase that sounds deceptively simple yet somehow complicates dinner conversations?
Svetlana Picou: Training and Structure – Because Chaos is So Last Year
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Svetlana Picou:
“Although the desire of young people is commendable, it is necessary to ensure that they are well trained and supervised so that their contribution is truly effective.”
Ah, yes! The pragmatism of Ms. Picou shines through like a beacon of reality. Training young volunteers is the sort of thing that might prevent them from accidentally setting the whole event on fire—or worse, forgetting to supply ice for the drinks! Getting them up to speed is not just essential; it transforms their enthusiasm into something productive. A bit more ‘top chef’ and a bit less ‘kitchen nightmare’, if you catch my drift.
The Skill Set: From Enthusiasts to Aces!
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Yasmine Alaoui:
“Training is indeed crucial, but it should not be an obstacle to involvement.”
And here comes Professor Alaoui again, with her finger wagging slightly while delivering the news that participation has its perks. I mean, who doesn’t want to upskill while being part of a massive global event? Increased employability, social skills, and a chance to feel like you’re doing more than just eating pizza and scrolling Instagram are just a few benefits. After all, nothing says “I’m ready for the real world” like managing a minor crisis during an international sporting event.
Citizen Ownership: More Than Just Kicking a Ball Around
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Svetlana Picou:
“When citizens are actively involved, it creates a feeling of ownership that goes beyond the event itself.”
Now we are talking about ownership, and not just the kind you feel after buying a new phone. The ownership that transcends mere involvement and wraps the community in a blanket of pride and belonging! We’ve seen it happen during World Cups past. How else would we explain Brazilians partying like there’s no tomorrow? Pride, my friends. A sweet feeling that’s birthed when local communities are given the steering wheel of major events. Just look at the success stories from France 1998, Brazil 2014, and Sydney—like a series of reality shows recounting drama, success, and a sprinkle of chaotically motivated chaos!
The Bottom Line: The Long Game
So, as Professor Alaoui and Ms. Picou wrap up this lively discussion, one thing is clear: the 2030 World Cup isn’t just another event in the calendar. It’s a chance for Moroccan youth to not only make memories but to engrave a sense of accomplishment that may just light the spark of community and national pride for generations to come.
Now, as we bid adieu to this delightful exchange, let’s remember—what’s at stake here isn’t just a trophy, but the very soul of a nation yearning to hold the world on its shoulders, and hopefully not trip over it. So here’s to the youth: To your spirit, your drive, and less facepalms!
In a context where citizen participation is becoming a major issue for the organization of major events, a recent study by Professor Alaoui carried out in Morocco with 4,000 young students between 18 and 25 years old reveals that 76% of young people wish to contribute to the organization of the 2030 World Cup. To explore this question in more depth, we brought together Dr. Yasmine Alaoui, professor-researcher specializing in Territorial Marketing and Ms. Svetlana Picou, international expert in sports diplomacy, management of major events and women’s leadership , for a discussion rich in perspectives and nuances.
- Yasmine Alaoui: “The results of this study reveal a profound change in the perception of young people regarding their role in society and, ultimately, in their territorial destiny. The desire to get involved in the organization of an event such as the 2030 World Cup demonstrates an increased awareness of the importance of their contribution to the development of their country. Research by major researchers in the United States around the 2000s confirmed that citizen participation. promotes social cohesion by increasing mutual trust and the feeling of belonging to a shared community Scientific work has highlighted that citizen engagement transforms territorial dynamics by making public spaces more inclusive The involvement of young people in events. sports activities goes beyond simple temporary mobilization: it helps to create infrastructures more adapted to the needs of local communities. Our studies allude to the fact that this commitment would allow reappropriation of infrastructures after the events, avoiding their abandonment and promoting sustainable and shared use. ”
- Svetlana Picou: “I agree with you on the importance of citizen involvement, and I would like to add some nuance based on my experience. The organization of major events, such as the World Cup or the Olympic Games, often relies on specific skills and rigorous planning The national and international context also evolves between the allocation of these events and the date on which they take place. Although the desire of young people is commendable, it is necessary to ensure that they are well trained. and supervised so that their contribution is truly effective. We must support them and help them to integrate this desire into their long-term educational or professional project so that this experience bears fruit for them and society during the London Olympic Games. in 2012, for example, the success of the event relied in part on the training of volunteers. During the World Cup in Qatar, the innovative Challenge 22 program of the supreme committee for delivery and legacy supported 13 starts. -ups from the Middle East and North Africa region who wanted to contribute to the organization of the World Cup in Qatar by providing them with financial support and support in business strategy, networking and even mentoring.
- Yasmine Alaoui: “You raise a relevant point. Training is indeed crucial, but it should not be an obstacle to involvement. On the contrary, it can be an opportunity for personal enrichment for these young people. Studies show that commitment in the organization of major events can also be a vector for skills acquisition, which is an undeniable advantage for the employability of young people. For example, research on Olympic Games volunteers highlights that participation in these events can. significantly improve social and professional skills, thus opening up broader future prospects for young participants. Moreover, your example of Qatar 2022 highlights this point even more, within the framework of the study that we have been carrying out since. about five months, more than 30 experts in professional integration in Morocco highlight the positive impact of students’ involvement in extracurricular activities on their employability. Recent studies with experts and recruiters present in territories which have hosted major events show that participating in major sporting events develops lasting organizational and interpersonal skills in young volunteers, strengthening their employability. Other studies also report that these experiences help to shape young people’s identity and strengthen their sense of belonging to a community.
- Svetlana Picou: “Absolutely. My experience in the field has taught me that motivation alone is not enough. Training as well as any other support will facilitate the integration of young people into the project and beyond. Then, a good coordination between the various actors, whether professionals or volunteers, is essential to avoid dysfunctions which could harm the organization of the event as well as the image of the organizing country. However, I recognize that when this involvement. citizen is well structured, it becomes a major asset for territorial attractiveness, as demonstrated by Paris 2024 through its Terre des Jeux program in particular.”
- Yasmine Alaoui: “I share your opinion on the importance of coordination. It is also important to remember that citizen involvement is not limited to simple logistical participation. It also represents an opportunity for citizens to take ownership of the event and to use it as a lever to promote the cultural and social values of their country. In this sense, the involvement of young people in the 2030 World Cup could help to strengthen their sense of attachment as well as their sense of belonging. , while promoting intercultural exchanges. Such appropriation is essential to nourish collective memory and territorial identity which goes beyond the framework of the event itself and is anchored in long-term community development. more than 80% of participants in the study naturally demonstrate a feeling of pride resulting “just” from the announcement of the co-organization of the 2030 World Cup.
- Svetlana Picou: “This is a crucial point. When citizens are actively involved, it creates a feeling of ownership that goes beyond the event itself. During the 1998 World Cup in France or 2014 in Brazil , and again at the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2000, we were able to observe how the involvement of local communities contributed to a feeling of pride and a dynamic of social cohesion which lasted well after the end of the event. This demonstrates that citizen involvement is not limited to the event, but has positive long-term repercussions.”
Pr. Yasmine Alaoui, based on her international expertise in territorial marketing, and Ms. Svetlana Picou, who has strong and recognized expertise in the world of sports diplomacy, agree on the fact that citizen involvement makes it possible to transmit values. important cultural and social events, making each event a mirror of national identity. Also, well-orchestrated citizen involvement helps to strengthen the attractiveness of a territory, promotes the commitment of the local population over the long term and facilitates creation, innovation and influence beyond these borders. By participating in the organization of large-scale events, citizens develop a stronger bond with their country, fueling their national pride and the drive to succeed in and for their country. And finally, collective commitment around an event promotes social cohesion and stimulates intercultural exchanges, thus enriching the social fabric of the community.
