AT THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR OF BUENOS AIRES, which brings together crowds in each of its editions, was held this Tuesday a talk debate about the challenges to guarantee social inclusion. During the exhibition, in which they participated journalists and references On issues of disability and diversity, the successful experiences linked to sports and communication were highlighted, and it was highlighted that “the cultural revolution against discrimination is underway.”
“Open the field: journalism and sports as tools of inclusion”, was the title of the meeting they organized Tournaments and DIRECTVcompanies belonging to Vrio Corp., together with the Leo Werthein Foundation.
The event brought together about 150 people in the room in the Victoria Ocampo Room of the La Rural Fairgrounds, who enjoyed the panel of speakers, moderated by Daniela Aza, expert in disability and diversity, and made up of journalists Olivia Goldschmidt and Milena Gimón; the historic captain of the Argentine 5-a-side Soccer Team for the Blind Silvio Velo; and the president of the Association Powerchair Football, Mariano Zegarelli.
They all shared their experiences and the results of the efforts they carry out to fight discrimination in all social areas. Throughout the talk Successful practices to act against anti-Semitism, disability and gender inequality were reviewed.
“Thanks to sport I have a name and recognition. The ball was the vehicle that allowed me to reach many places and see the world. I owe everything to sport. At the beginning I needed a vote from the mainstream media, and I think I was a little absent. Soccer players like Juan Román Riquelme, Matías Almeida, El Piojo López and Hernán Crespo covered their eyes and played with us. “That gave us visibility, it was a before and after,”highlighted Velo, author of the book “When there is a will there are a thousand ways” and protagonist of the book Pelota de Cascabel and recognized as the best player in the world in the 5-a-side Soccer category for the Blind.
Milena Gimón, Daniela Aza, Mariano Zegarelli, Silvio Velo and Olivia Goldschmidt, in the talk debate on inclusion.
Goldschmidt reflected that one of the crudest forms of discrimination today is anti-Semitism, mainly on social networks, after the civil massacre carried out by the Hamas terrorist group on October 7, 2023 in Israel. In that sense, Olivia stressed the value of communication because she, she pointed out, “The root of anti-Semitism is ignorance.” “Sharing our experiences, what happens in Israel, is a great way to combat the ghosts around anti-Semitism,” he remarked.
Azathe renowned motivational speaker and content creator, identified the common denominators of the struggle to ensure inclusion and shared his view on the contributions of sports and specialized journalism. “Sports journalism has a fundamental role because it can demolish a lot of myths, stereotypes and prejudices,” review.
Gimón, journalist for DSPORTS (exclusive DIRECTV signal for sports coverage)agreed when pondering the virtues of sport that allow us to banish prejudices and overcome social barriers, and noted: “The cultural revolution against discrimination is underway” although “there is still a long way to go. The world is practically ruled by men. The positive thing is that the change for greater equality is happening.”
Zegarelli shared the achievements of the path he began since he founded the Powerchair Football Association, dedicated to the development of motorized wheelchair football. “This sport allows people who are in wheelchairs to feel like anyone else, having accessibility to practice a sport, go places. The word ‘inclusion’ should not exist because it means that there is someone outside. That is why everyone’s involvement is important. And the role of journalism and the media is fundamental: appearing on TV for a boy with a disability changes his life,” he explained.
