Show Racism the Red Card Summer Summit 2013
Campaign and Education teams from across the UK meet in Gateshead to share best practice and discuss future strategy
“2013 was record year for the campaign which I believe highlights both the skill and dedication of all of our team members, but also the growing need for better anti-racism education across all elements of society.”Ged Grebby, Chief Executive, Show Racism the Red Card
Show Racism the Red Card held its annual Summer Summit at Gateshead’s Civic Centre last week, thanks to the generous hostpitality of Gateshead Council; with over fifty members of staff, coaches and volunteers getting together for a series of updates, presentations and workshops.
In addition to reviewing the successes of the previous year and focusing on targets for the forthcoming period, the topics of immigration and the far right were prominent on the agenda as the teams looked to share their experiences of delivering contemporary anti racism education.
The Show Racism the Red Card Scotland team were well represented by campaign and education workers and shared a new activity that helped to examine the ‘walls’ that support racism and the ‘bridges’ that can help overcome it.
The Cardiff-based team from Show Racism the Red Card Wales also introduced a range of activities designed to challenge stereotypes and deconstruct myths around immigration, before education teams from the North East and South East delivered a workshop demonstrating the dangers of far right attitudes and looking at protecting young people from an increasing rhetoric of hate and Islamophobia.
Those in attendance were then given an overview of the on-going scholars training programme, being delivered in association with the PFA. Show Racism the Red Card is working together with Kick It Out to educate the stars of tomorrow about their influence over young people, the importance of equality and the power of delivering an anti-racism message.
Building on existing work with a focus on equality, Education workers then demonstrated a range of activities which have been developed as part of a successful pilot project to train mangers and employees about the importance of equality within the workplace.
Finally, staff and volunteers across all teams were invited to review the organisation’s strategy and feed in to the enhancement of the future business plan for sustained growth and development.
Speaking about the 2013 Summer Summit, Ged Grebby, Chief Executive of Show Racism the Red Card praised the organisation’s diverse portfolio of training and stressed the ongoing need for effective anti-racism campaigning:
“2013 was record year for the campaign which I believe highlights both the skill and dedication of all of our team members, but also the growing need for better anti-racism education across all elements of society.”
“High profile incidents within football over the last 12 months, as well as the shocking murder of Lee Rigby and the subsequent rise in Islamophobia and immigration scapegoating demonstrate the need for a unified approach to tacking racism through education.”
Vincent Pericard, one of a number of ex-professional players now working with Show Racism the Red Card thanked the organisation for two insightful days, commenting that “the work delivered by the campaign behind the scenes is inspirational”.