24 October, 6.00 pm – 8.00 pm
Museumsquartier Vienna – Raum D
Football is far more than just a game. It forges a sense of identity, stirs emotions and brings people from different backgrounds together. As such, football is always relevant in socio-political terms.
Whilst many people’s trust in democratic institutions is waning, football, too, faces major challenges: racism, sexism, violence, commercialisation and political influence are just as much a part of the reality as impressive examples of integration, moral courage and social engagement.
How can football promote democratic values? Where do its opportunities and limitations lie? What responsibilities do clubs, associations, politicians and civil society bear?
We will be discussing these questions with experts from academia and the field.
Whilst many people’s trust in democratic institutions is waning, football too faces major challenges: racism, sexism, violence, commercialisation and political influence are just as much a part of reality as impressive examples of integration, moral courage and social engagement.
How can football promote democratic values? What are its opportunities and limitations? What responsibilities do clubs, associations, politicians and civil society bear?
Speakers/panellists:
Mario Kubista, co-author of the publication “From the Praterbahn to the Ernst Happel Stadium”. A member of the “German Sports Club for Football Statistics” (DSFS) since 1989 and chairman of the “Vienna Football Stories” (WFG) association since 2026.
Lina Helms, project manager and coach at Kicken ohne Grenzen, responsible for all Youth Leader activities. Lina studied “Leading Transformation for Impact Organisations” at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria (FH OÖ).
Hossna Hosseini, studying Business Informatics at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien), Youth Leader at Breaking Grounds; organises workshops at Viennese secondary schools to promote social-emotional skills, and is responsible for the implementation and further development of child protection in sport.
Nikola Staritz, project officer at fairplay and responsible for anti-discrimination initiatives.
Rudolf Müllner, sports scientist and historian, associate professor at the Centre for Sports and Movement Sciences at the University of Vienna. He headed the department of social and contemporary sports history there for 30 years. Founder of the Sport History / Sport Studies Austria network. Author of numerous publications, including works on the history of Austria Vienna and Viennese football during the Nazi era.
Moderator: Elisabeth Auer, journalist and referee
Further information:
https://buendnis2025.at/veranstaltungen/mehr-als-ein-spiel-fussball-als-gelebte-demokratie/
