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Activity Pack - Resources Section
Resources This section provides a glossary of terms and references to other useful websites. Websites - www.equalityni.org http://homepage.eircom.net/~racismctee www.equality.ie http://www/unhchr.ch/ http://www.unhchr.ch/ www.irlgov.ie/justice www.cre.gov.uk www.nihrc.org www.blink.org http://www.enar-eu.org/ http://www.racism.org.za/NGOFORUM http://www.hri.ca/racism/ http://ireland.iol.ie/~pavee/ www.itmtrav.com www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie www.refugeecouncil.org.uk http://migration.ucc.ie/immigration The role of the Media See workshop section and the following publications:
Glossary of Terms - What do we mean by racism? Any theory involving the claim that racial or ethnic groups are inherently superior or inferior, thus implying that some would be entitled to dominate or eliminate others who would be inferior; or which places a value judgement on racial differentiation, has no scientific foundation and is contrary to the moral and ethical principles of humanity (UNESCO Declaration, 1978) 'Racism is the belief that some 'races' are superior to others - based on the false idea that different physical characteristics (like skin colour) or ethnic background make some people different from others.' (Edinburgh City Council, Education Department) There are a number of forms of racism evident in Ireland, North and South:
What do we mean by 'race'? The term 'race' has been used in the past to indicate recognisable categories within the human species. The concept has been disproved by many academics as an attempt to rank people according to physical and biological criteria. The acceptance of 'race' as a credible concept has been used as a justification for racism. As a term 'race' is still used in both a legal and other contexts in Ireland, North and South. Human beings are one species. Species is a biological term given to any group of animal or plants that can procreate and produce descendants. Within this species (Homo Sapiens) there is a diversity of physical features: skin colour, facial features, bone structures, hair, height, and so on. Increasingly, the term ethnic group is replacing the outmoded concept of 'race'. What is an ethnic group? Generally speaking an ethnic group shares a common ancestry, culture, history, tradition and sense of belonging and is a political and economic interest group. Ethnicity is a way or categorising people on the basis of self-identity and ascription by others. This has been the subject of judicial interpretation in the United Kingdom What laws apply in the case of racial discrimination? The most important laws in Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) are: Northern Ireland What is unlawful discrimination under the Order? There are three main types of racial discrimination:
What does 'racial grounds' mean? This includes race, colour, nationality (including citizenship) and ethnic or national origin. It also includes the grounds of belonging to the Irish Traveller community defined as: …the community of people commonly so called who are identified (both by themselves and by others) as people with a shared history, culture and traditions including, historically, a nomadic life on the island of Ireland..' Republic of Ireland The Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act promote equality and prohibit discrimination in the areas of employment and the provision of good and services across nine grounds, including 'race' and membership of the Traveller Community. Both Acts have provisions on direct and indirect discrimination. Direct Discrimination Amounts to less favourable treatment. Indirect Discrimination Indirect discrimination is more subtle and harder to prove. In general if a practice or requirement is found to have the effect of excluding a protected group then the employer or service provider will have indirectly discriminated. For information on the equality legislation in the Republic of Ireland see: www.equality.ie or contact the Equality Authority, phone 01 4173333.
SCHOOL CHARTER AGAINST RACISM Charter aims One of the activities that we would recommend for schools or other groups working with young people is the development of a Charter that would be prominently displayed within the school/youth centre. The Charter should be drawn up with the participation of the students, rather than simply replicating what another school/centre has done. The Charter can be undertaken on its own or as a culmination of a range of activities set out in this pack. Age Group - can be adapted to suit a wide range of students Materials - Pens, paper, flip chart and stand. Resources to frame the charter. Time - 45 minutes Method -
Consider the following suggestions -
THE SCHOOLS AGAINST RACISM AWARD Later this year the Equality Commission and the NCCRI will acknowledge the participation of schools in activities to address racism and promote inclusion. To qualify schools should outline below what activities have been undertaken and what the activities achieved. The activities can take place during European week against racism or at any time before the closing date of 30th June 2001. APPLICATION FORM SCHOOLS AGAINST RACISM AWARD Name of School: Address: Phone No: Fax No: E-mail: Contact Person: Description of activities undertaken:
What the Activities achieved
Comments on the Pack/Suggestions for updates
Note: If you have drawn up a school charter against racism, please send us a copy with the application form.
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