A new supporting frame for homeless people ～A Study on Homeless World Cup～

Abstract

This paper discusses the Homeless World Cup as a new tool of empowerment for homeless people who are marginalised from the society. Since 2003, the Homeless World Cup has been held as a new supporting frame which attempts to socially include homeless people, by organising an international football game for them. Mel Young¹⁵⁾ who is one of founders of the World Cup, emphasises that although providing a working opportunity or living place to homeless people is important, other projects are required and playing football has become one of them. According to the Homeless World Cup Foundation⁸⁾, participating homeless players succeeded in recovering from alcohol or drug abuses, enhancing motivation towards employment or education, or starting new life with a home. Due to a lack of world consensus on the definition of homeless, the issue of eligibility may be arguable. Nevertheless, Homeless World Cup could be worthy of attention as a means of empowering and supporting homeless people.