Seminar 2: Human Rights and Social Inclusion Using Sports for All
Teaching Staff: Oleksandr Fomichov
Oleksandr “Sasha” Fomichov is a lawyer, project manager/trainer and football coach specializing in human rights, diversity and social inclusion through sport. With more than 15 years of international experience, he has worked with organizations such as the OSCE, UNHCR, UEFA and the Council of Europe, combining his expertise in law, education and sports-based community development.
Sasha is the founder of the “Play for Human Rights!” campaign, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Beyond Sport Global Awards for its innovative approach to teaching human rights on the sports field. He is also a symbol of UEFA’s #EqualGame campaign, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in football, and a member of the Fare Network LGBT+ Reference Group, advocating for equality in sports worldwide.
His professional background includes leading the NGO League of Tolerance in Ukraine, facilitating youth peace programs in Europe and coaching football projects with FC Shakhtar Donetsk` social department, where he was awarded Best Coach of 2019. Currently, based in Sweden, Sasha continues to merge activism, education and coaching, while also recently obtaining a Master’s degree in Sustainability Science. His work approaches focus on the transformative power of sport to foster intercultural dialogue, resilience and respect for human rights in diverse communities.
Seminar Description
Human Rights and Social Inclusion Using Sports for All
This seminar offers participants an engaging mix of competence-based learning, creative exploration and collaborative practice. The session begins by introducing the “Fun - Athletic Development - Socialisation” concept, highlighting how sports can strengthen both individual growth and community resilience.
The program then explores the nature of human rights and their connection to inclusive societies, using sport as a practical model for understanding equality, participation and fair treatment. Participants develop their physical literacy while also engaging in creative activities such as designing a team identity (logos, anthems, visual symbols) to explore how sport culture shapes belonging. The workshop also covers the principles of fair play, ethics, and positive messaging, encouraging participants to see sport as a microcosm of society.
Innovative methods, such as game design for social change and the use of mathematical modelling (Voronoi diagrams) to understand space and movement, enrich the sessions and link art, science and sport.
The seminar highlights hands-on practice: participants are tasked with inventing two new inclusive games and, together, organizing a Festival where Summer School participants and guests can experience their creations.
By the end, students will have gained knowledge about human rights and social inclusion, same as practical skills in leadership, creativity and teamwork, enabling them to use sport as a tool for education and positive social transformation.
