Transnational Seminar
Youth Against Racism
9 -12 March, 2007.
Everyday we hear about how our world is becoming a “global village” with increasing integration of culture, economies, and borders. However, this doesn’t dispel the fact that each nation of people has a distinct history of its own. We must also keep in mind that the seeds of racism were laid many years ago, all over the world.
Europe is home to people of hundreds of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and many of the issues faced by Europeans link back to historical processes and events from many different parts of the world. On the other hand, certain problems faced by youths have arisen from the cultural environment of Europe.
Most young people are searching for unity and a way to make those in power listen to them.
We hope this anti-racist pack will help young people all over the world direct their anger and the oppression they suffer in a positive direction. Let us not take our feelings of frustration out on each other, but let us find an alternative approach through education that challenges, combats and rejects racism. Education can identify, and change institutional policies, procedures, culture and values as well as individual behaviours and practices which have a discriminatory impact on individuals or groups with non-dominant identities.
The granting or denying of certain rights to certain groups based on preconceived notions is usually not based on truths. Discrimination based on race results in people of colour being maltreated and excluded. Discrimination is also a form of racism triggered by prejudices. People may also be discriminated against on the basis of: age, sex, mental ability, marital status, race, sexual orientation, economic level, and religion.
Our aim as trainers is to promote racial harmony through the articulation of new ways of recognizing and living with differences. Increased knowledge, confidence, leadership and presentation skills of youth volunteers will enable them to train youths from diverse ethno-cultural backgrounds on how to conduct conflict resolution and anti racism workshops. An added bonus is this will also broaden the minds of those employed in school settings. Now is the time to have these workshops in your community. Get your organization involved, and make a difference.
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