22 March 2004
Anti-Racism message scores with Scotland's schools

Scotland’s school pupils have sent a clear message that they are opposed to all forms of racism by participating in record numbers in an Anti-Racism arts competition which was organised by the Educational Institute of Scotland and the charity Show Racism the Red Card.

At today’s national prize-giving ceremony at the home of Scottish Football, Hampden Park, hundreds of pupils from across Scotland helped to drive home the anti-racism message and displayed their support for a peaceful and tolerant multi-cultural society.

Prominent names from the world of football also turned out to promote the anti-racism cause. Scotland national coach Berti Vogts and under-21s coach Rainer Bonhof joined a host of Scottish Premier League stars to drive home the anti-racist message and to celebrate the success of the schools competition and reward the winning pupils for all their hard work. The prize-giving event was compered by BBC Scotland Sport’s Kheredine Idessane.

Among the players scheduled to appear at today’s event were John Kennedy (Celtic), Brent Sancho (Dundee), Barry Nicholson (Dunfermline), Gary McSwegan and David Lilley (Kilmarnock), Marvin Andrews (Livingston), Paul Hartley (Hearts), Alan Hutton (Rangers), along with a player to be confirmed from Partick Thistle.

Speaking at the Hampden event, EIS President Elect Sheena Wardhaugh said: "All the young people here today should be proud of their efforts to combat racism. The winners should be especially proud of the works of art they have produced."

She added, "But the real winner here is Scotland’s multi-cultural society, with so many young people clearly committed to the anti-racism cause and producing such excellent work which really helps to drive home the important anti-racism message."

Ms Wardhaugh went on to add, "It is even more important now, in the context of growing ethnic tensions across the globe , to remember that everyone in our society is equal and deserving of our respect. It is through our young people that we will create a more tolerant, equal and inclusive society in the future and that is why it is so encouraging to see all these young people here today. We owe it to all of our young people to continue to strive towards a truly multi-cultural world where people of all backgrounds are treated equally and with respect by every one of us."

"Only through education and co-operation can we create a global society of which we can all be proud", concluded Ms Wardhaugh.

Highlighting the Scottish Executive’s support of the campaign, Education Minister Peter Peacock MSP, said:

"This competition for schools is a great way of engaging young people in the issues surrounding racism, a key focus of the Executive’s "One Scotland. Many Cultures"Campaign. Judging by previous years, I am sure this year’s entries will be every bit as imaginative and will help to promote the anti-racism message among Scotland’s young people."

Roddy McNulty, Show Racism the Red Card’s Education Development Worker for Scotland, said: "Show Racism the Red Card would like to thank the Educational Institute of Scotland for making our schools' competition a huge success again this year. 10% of schools across Scotland registered and the high standard of entries reflects the thought that thousands of children have put into the issue of racism and its prevalence in society."

He added, "Yesterday was the U.N. Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It is fitting that 250 children have gathered at Scotland's national stadium today to receive fantastic prizes from our top football stars for their contributions to stopping racism in Scottish society."

"The competition goes from strength to strength and we urge more schools to enter next year," added Mr McNulty.

Football clubs across the country have been giving their support to the Anti-Racism campaign and many have donated prizes for the winners.

Hundreds of Schools from across Scotland signed up for the EIS / SRTRC Anti-Racism Arts Competition and the standard of entries was extremely high. Judging took place at EIS headquarters in Edinburgh, with a judging panel comprising EIS equalities convener Margaret Nicol, Livingston FC and Trinidad & Tobago defensive stalwart Marvin Andrews, EIS anti-racist sub-convener Habib Hashmi and Secretary of the Scottish Professional Footballers’ Association Tony Higgins.

The judges decided upon winners in each of the 6 categories and each winner has been invited to today’s Hampden prize-giving ceremony. The judging panel have also agreed on an overall national winner and this will be announced at the today’s prize-giving ceremony. The overall winner will be awarded a cheque for £1000 for their school in addition to their other prizes.

The winners will receive football-related prizes, while the winning schools will receive a range of prizes which include computer equipment, cameras and sports equipment. The overall winner will also receive a cheque for £1000 for their school.

The EIS gratefully acknowledges the following organisations for their generous support of the EIS/SRTRC Schools Anti-Racism Competition:

Bank of Scotland

Buccleuch Printers Limited

Central Digital Solutions

EIS Financial Services

Integrating Technology

Megabowl

Norwich Union

The Scottish Football Association

Western Supplies Limited

The Scottish Executive is funding a Scottish Development Worker at Show Racism the Red Card. Part of his work involves working with the EIS on this annual schools competition.

Source: EIS