Southside schools honoured at Yellow Flag anti-racism awards

A TOTAL of four out of 10 children who were honoured recently as part of the Yellow Flag programme for schools say they have experienced racism.

The programme requires each school that gets involved to meet specific targets to create an environment where identity and racism bullying is challenged, and diversity and equality are fostered.

Some 1,772 pupils were surveyed in 11 schools including Queen of Angels PS Wedgewood in Dublin 16, St Mary’s NS Sandyford in Dublin 18 and St Laurence’s College Loughlinstown, in preparation for embarking on the eight-step Yellow Flag programme.
Of those surveyed 83 per cent said they would like their school to provide time to celebrate different cultures, languages, religions and identities.

Established six years ago, the multi-level programme coordinated by the Irish Traveller Movement combines the input of pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community.
Dean Quinn, a third year student at St Laurence’s College, said:

“Being part of the Yellow Flag is something I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved celebrating diversity and difference.

“Our English class wrote short stories around the theme of diversity.

“My short story was about people being equal no matter how different they are. The story’s main point was to show that everyone should be treated equally.

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Student Ryan Campbell of Queen of Angels, added :

“We organised friendship week in the school. Everyone had to be kind and friendly. If there was someone sitting on a bench at playtime, that meant that they had no one to play with so you had to go ask them to play so that they wouldn’t be by themselves.

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Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Aodhán � Ríordáin commended the Irish Traveller Movement on its Yellow Flag Programme.

“It is so important to promote the inclusion of minority ethnic groups and intercultural interaction between different groups in our society based on the principles of equality, cultural awareness and respect,

? he said.

“I want to support the Yellow Flag by providing funding of 49,000 euro towards the programme.

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Paula Madden, Yellow Flag coordinator, said they were delighted with Deputy Ã? Ríordáin’s endorsement.

“We invite other interests at local government to secure the programme for schools in their area,

? she said.

“The Irish Traveller Movement pioneered the initiative and supported it to moderate growth over the last six years through investment from philanthropic groups such as the Community Foundation for Ireland (CFI) and the One Foundation.

“However, these groups are exiting from Ireland and it is timely and necessary that State partners provide alternative investment to secure its future.

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Ms Madden pointed out that 12 per cent of the Irish population are of non-Irish national heritage and cultures and included 40,000 Travellers.

“This presents both challenges and opportunities,

? she added,

“in tackling racism, discrimination and disadvantage, in order to enable all citizens and communities to participate fully and equally in society, as well as ensuring the development of sustainable and integrated communities.

“The Yellow Flag programme which has a proven record of creating whole school change can help support an environment where there is cross-cultural understanding, racial harmony and mutual and equal recognition of all religious and ethnic traditions across the country.

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Politicians representing their constituents among the award recipients were told of the important role local authorities have in supporting the growth and mainstreaming of the programme to schools nationwide.

Presenting awards to the 11 schools were Tura Arutua, Zimbabwean Irish speaker and dancer, Miss Kilkenny 2014, Traveller Sarah Jane Dunne and Leanne McDonagh, Traveller and artist who features in RTE’s Norah’s Traveller Academy.

The colourful and multicultural ceremony featuring visual, musical and narrative presentations by pupils from each school, with some in colourful costumes representing their national dress, was attended by teachers, parents, and political representatives.

It was jointly hosted by presenter of RTE’s Elev8 programme, Diana Bunici and Dil Wickremasinghe, broadcaster, actor, comedian and social activist.