A series of panel discussions on the theme of “the 2022 World Cup – More than just football: A discussion on Sports and Diplomacy” was held at the campus of the American International University – Bangladesh (AIUB) on Thursday, November 17, 2022. The event was organized jointly by AIUB and EU Delegation to Bangladesh in presence of H.E. Charles Whiteley, EU Ambassador, Dr. Carmen Z Lamagna, Vice Chancellor, AIUB, Dr. Bernd Spanier, Deputy Head of EU Delegation, members from International Labour Organization (ILO), other embassies, AIUB program Directors, faculty members, officials, and students.

Vice Chancellor of AIUB, Dr. Carmen Z. Lamagna welcomed everyone in her address and set the tone of the panel discussions highlighting how female sports are frowned upon, but yet progressing and bringing glory to their family and nation. In her speech, she mentioned the names of all AIUB female students who are also national players in various fields of sports and how they have made AIUB proud. Even though AIUB provides the maximum possible support for female sports development in the country, she offered even more if there is any scope.

The first session of the panel discussions was based on the theme “How does the success of Bangladesh’s national women’s team inspires others and how it can pave the way towards more gender equality?”. It was moderated by Dr. Bernd Spanier, Deputy Head of EU Delegation, with the discussants - Prof. Dr. Farheen Hassan, Program Director, BBA, Ms. Rupa Akther, Goalkeeper, Bangladesh National Football team and undergrad student of Economics, AIUB, and Ms. Ardina Ferdous, National Shooter (Winner of Bronze in Commonwealth Games), BBA & MBA Alumni, AIUB. Ms. Rupa and Ms. Adrina enlightened the audience with their stories of success, but with a cost of sheer struggle. Dr. Farheen highlighted the possible future pathway of women sports in the country and pointed out the essentials that we must culturally adopt. The audience enjoyed the candid statements of Ms. Rupa and Ms. Adrina. Both expressed their gratitude to their parents and their teachers, who inspired and supported them in every single step.

The second session was moderated by H.E. Charles Whiteley, Ambassador & Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh based on the theme “The dark side of the World Cup: What has changed for migrant workers in Qatar?”. In this highly insightful session, the panelist Ms. Laetitia Weibel Roberts, Chief Technical Advisor, International Labour Organization (ILO), Bangladesh, Mr. Maurice Len Brooks, Workplace Safety Specialist, Improving Working Conditions in the RMG sector Program, Bangladesh and Dr. ABM Rahmatullah, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, AIUB discussed about very aspects and socio-economic conditions of migrant workers in Qatar, particularly during the development time for the upcoming World Cup football. All the panelists very specifically addressed the issue from various perspectives and made the session highly informative and enlightening. In both sessions, there were insightful questions from the audience which were duly addressed by the panelists.

After the panel discussions, a friendly exhibition football match was held at the AIUB football field combining AIUB students and guests from the embassies. Dr. Carmen also accompanied the guests in a brief tour of the AIUB Campus.