After the match in December against FC Basel, the Swiss Foundation for UNHCR and Servette FC reiterated their common attachment to Geneva, the headquarters of the United Nations Refugee Agency and the city where the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees was adopted in 1951. During the match against BSC Young Boys on 1 March, Switzerland for UNHCR and the theme of forced displacement were in the spotlight. We took the opportunity to ask Philippe Senderos, former Swiss national team player and internationally renowned player, a few questions. Philippe Senderos began his professional career with the Geneva club before moving on to Arsenal, Valencia and AC Milan. He is now back in his hometown and has become the sporting director of Servette FC. He talks to us about his and the club's support for people forced to flee.
We know that football is an incredible vector of passion, it allows values to be transmitted and it brings people together around one thing: the passion, and the round ball. I think that it allows the integration of many people who live complicated situations.
In view of the situation that these people leave behind, it allows them not only to integrate but also for the people in the host country to realise that there are situations that are different to their own, to be open. This is a richness, because in a group, to have someone who has experienced things that are different to ours can give us a different vision of life and of group life.
It is a great pride. I too come from two immigrant parents who met in Geneva and stayed there, so I could feel that, but it also allowed me to know that Geneva is a city that welcomes, and that Switzerland is a country that welcomes. Football has really allowed me to integrate even more into society, and Geneva is really one of the most important cities in this respect. At the club we have a lot of different nationalities in our training centre, so in our own way we participate in the integration of foreign populations in our city.
We are very proud at Servette to be part of this movement and to represent Geneva with UNHCR.
A special edition of a football has been created as part of the partnership between Servette FC and Switzerland for UNHCR. All proceeds from the sales of this football will be donated to the UNHCR's response to the families forced to flee Ukraine.
