Roy ‘Shows Racism the Red Card’ at Tallaght awards  

FOOTBALL legend Roy Keane was on the Southside last week where he took part in an awards ceremony for the ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ campaign.

The assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland Senior Men’s International Team was in Tallaght Stadium where he joined Integration Minister, David Stanton and the Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Guss O’Connell, at the presentation of awards to young people who developed creative ways to tackle racism.

Navan Educate Together scooped the top prize, for a video project developed jointly by pupils from fourth, fifth and sixth class.

As part of their project, the pupils produced songs, poems and raps, and worked through Show Racism the Red Card’s school programme with their teachers.

Show Racism the Red Card is a charity that uses sports and the high profile of sportspeople to tackle racism.

The organisation holds an annual creative competition, calling on young people to develop creative messages about racism and integration.

Three hundred young people from youth groups, Youthreach services, and primary and secondary schools attended the awards ceremony last week.  

Other groups that received awards included young people from St Paul’s CBS Brunswick Street in Dublin city centre; the CBS primary school in Dundalk, Co Louth; and Youthreach Progression in Navan, Co Meath.

Speaking at the event, Minister Stanton said: “Show Racism the Red Card does excellent work in educating young people throughout Ireland about the importance of challenging racism and building positive intercultural relationships.

“This is an area to which the Government is strongly committed,” he stated.

“In recent months alone, the Tánaiste and I published the Migrant Integration Strategy to provide a framework for Government action on migrant integration from now until 2020.

“We launched the Communities Integration Fund to assist community-based organisations to promote integration.”

“There is also a national scheme of funding to promote integration, as well as the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund with anti-racism measures eligible under both of these.”

Garrett Mullan, Executive Director of Show Racism the Red Card, said it was “more important than ever” for governments to show leadership in tackling racism.

“Political developments over the past year have shown why it is hugely important to educate our young people about the need for tolerance, intercultural understanding and respect for differences,” he said. “Now is a really crucial time for investment in anti-racism measures. Governments worldwide need to tackle the rise of extremist and anti-migrant views.”

Mr Mullan said it was heartening to see the highest number of entries ever for the Show Racism the Red Card creative competition.  

“Three hundred young people are here today,” he added. “Educating younger generations to stand up to racism is the most effective thing we can do to ensure Ireland remains a tolerant, welcoming and fully integrated society.”