Balbriggan man is spearheading anti-racism drive

BALBRIGGAN man Garrett Mullan says he is delighted with the response to a major anti-racism initiative being rolled out across Dublin schools and youth services.

Mr Mullan is the executive director of Show Racism the Red Card, an international, anti-racist, not-for-profit organisation that was set up in the UK in 1995. 

It aims to challenge racism through providing education resources and intercultural activity that supports integration. 

Entries have now closed for their anti-racism creative competition and Mr Mullan is pleased with the high level of interest this year.

The competition invited young people to come up with anti-racism messages using written, visual and audiovisual means.

Mr Mullan explained how important the competition is in promoting a multi-racial culture among young people. 

“Our creative competition for schools and youth services is our biggest annual initiative,” he said. “It’s so important to highlight the issue of racism with people from a young age, now more than ever before due to the current refugee crisis and escalating terrorist threats across the world.”

In previous years, the awards have been attended by a host of well-known figures including President Michael D Higgins, former ministers Alan Shatter and Aodhán Ó Ríordán, TV presenter Diana Bunici and former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane.

This year, the FAI will provide two tickets for an Ireland international soccer match to all schools and youth services that submitted entries. 

For further information on the organisation and their work, visit www.theredcard.ie.

Brein McGinn