Diversity Awareness Training
Rationale
Northern Ireland society has changed significantly over the past ten years. In the past our experience was of people moving from Northern Ireland to other parts of the world due to the availability of work and pushed by reasons of unemployment, poverty and the Troubles. A number of factors such as the Peace Agreement, expansion of the European Union and active recruitment by employers in NI have meant that this trend has reversed and we now live in an increasingly culturally diverse society. In this context racism and Hate Crimes have increased with over 1000 incidents reported in 2009/2010 (PSNI Annual Statistics Report 09/10). Bullying and racial discrimination are experienced by Traveller children (NICCY, 2005) WheelWorks believes that respect for cultural diversity is the basis for an inclusive and peaceful society. In understanding and acknowledging the nature of our preconceptions and prejudices we can foster safe, inclusive environments where everyone is treated with respect regardless of cultural identity, race or belief. The WheelWorks RESPECT and Multiple Realities programmes demonstrate a real commitment to tackling difficult issues that are relevant to young people from marginalised communities such as the Traveller and minority ethnic groups.
Participants
The training offers Youth Workers and Arts Facilitators an opportunity to explore the area of difference in relation to diversity and race. These workshops are particularly useful for youth workers given the YCNI Core Values of Equity, Diversity and Interdependence.
Length of Workshop
This is a one day workshop of approximately 6 hours (including lunch and evaluation) for 5-20 participants, including both arts and youth workers who work with young people.
Aims
This is an interactive workshop where youth workers and issue based arts facilitators come together to explore some existing training models and look at best practice in a range of contexts to address racist attitudes and behaviour.
Approach
The programme incorporates a mix of facilitator input, group discussion, scenarios and a demonstration of WheelWorks arts projects and resources. Overall the trainers aim to create a positive and non-threatening environment where participants feel comfortable to share experiences and ask questions.
The trainers feel it is important to start with the context of principles of cultural diversity work and to look at the hate crime escalation process. This would then be matched with the EDI (Equity, Diversity and Interdependence) principles in the Model for Effective Youth Work and the principles of community arts work.
Learning Outcomes
- An understanding of preconceptions and prejudices that everyone holds.
- An understanding of the context of cultural diversity work.
- Consideration and discussion of the principles of youth work and principles of community arts work.
- Exploration of several diversity training models and consideration of individuals own circle of diversity.
- Participants will have viewed a number of WheelWorks case studies of diversity arts models including working with single identity and multiple identity groups.
- Participants will have discussed a practical art based project with youth work lead-in and follow up planning exercise addressing a hate crime incident.
- Increased knowledge of the range of resources and support services.
Sample Training Activity
'The Escalation Process in Hate Crime' - a discussion exercise looking at hate crime and including some local examples demonstrating how low level verbal abuse can escalate. The way prejudice manifests itself is a five part process (Allport, G, 1954) and in understanding this model awareness is increased.
Resources: Power point slide and a number of case studies including local examples
Activity: The facilitator presents definitions of prejudice and discrimination to ensure participants have an understanding of these terms. Examples are given where there is a prejudice (holding an opinion or bias which is not based on facts, reason or firsthand knowledge). When power is added to prejudice the result is people being in a position to discriminate against someone on the basis of their race, ethnicity etc. The facilitator presents the slide demonstrating the process of escalation in relation to prejudice and hate crime. The initial process begins with derogatory language (name calling) followed by harassment (saying 'they' are not wanted in the area), then threats are made (if s/he does not leave, then something bad will happen) and the fourth stage is a physical attack.
Discussion: A key outcome from the discussion is an understanding of the importance of tackling prejudice at the initial stage of derogatory language. It is important that individuals do not use derogatory language themselves and that they try to stop others using it. There is evidence that early intervention can be very effective. Sharing ideas around ways in which people can challenge derogatory language used in a number of situations, assists skills development.
Summary
The participants found the exercises highlighting diversity were extremely useful, and offering practical ideas that could all be put into their working practice; the examples of arts projects were felt to be very interesting, as was the detail of the Youth Work Curriculum and overall, participants felt this enriched their learning.
This project was supported by the YCNI Short Term Programme.
Training can be tailor made to suit your group/organisation. You can commission a single topic or the complete set of three sessions. For further details and costs please contact lucy@wheelworks.org.uk
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