TV & Sports Stars Join Minister for Justice at Show Racism the Red Card Awards Exhibition The Minister for Justice and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, presented awards to young people from throughout Ireland today (10.04.13) to acknowledge their work on combating racism.
Minister Alan Shatter TD was presented with the new Show Racism the Red Card education pack. Kevin Kilbane was presented with a special plaque in appreciation for his support to Show Racism the Red Card The Minister was the special guest at an event organised by Show Racism the Red Card to mark the culmination of the charity’s Creative Competition.The competition called for young people to develop creative messages about racism and integration using written, visual and audiovisual means. Entries included a flash-mob dance, a re-working of the YouTube sensation ‘Gangnam Style’, and an ‘Adam and Eve’ mosaic.Over 140 schools and youth services participated in the Creative Competition this year, and today’s awards ceremony and exhibition – which took place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin – were attended by more than 500 young people from 25 different schools.
A host of well-known personalities also attended the event, and participated in a panel discussion, during which they were challenged to explain their views on racism by the young people in attendance. Panellists and other special guests included: Leinster and Ireland scrum-half Eoin Reddan; former Ireland International Kevin Kilbane; Dublin GAA legends Jason Sherlock, Phil Mc Mahon and Cliodhna O’Connor; Bosnian-born women’s basketball SuperLeague star Indira Kaljo; and Moldovan-born RTÉ children’s TV presenter Diana Bunici.
Speaking at the event, Garrett Mullan, Coordinator of Show Racism the Red Card, said: “While racism is an issue in Ireland, young people are well placed to challenge it. Today’s event showcases the good work that is being undertaken in schools and youth services throughout the country. Young people and their teachers and youth workers have travelled from as far afield as Cork, Limerick, Leitrim, Monaghan and elsewhere to be here today. This is a real testimony to their commitment to the anti-racism message.”
The overall winner of the Creative Competition, as announced at today’s event, was Blakestown Community School from Dublin 15, which also won in the secondary school category. The other prize-winners were:Primary school category: Scoil Choilm, Dublin 15.
- Youthreach category: Navan Youthreach, Co. Meath.
- Youth service category: Involve Youth, Navan, Co. Meath.
- Special education services category: National Learning Network, Limerick.
- Special commendations: Colaiste an Craobháin, Fermoy, Co. Cork; Poppintree Youth Project, Ballymun; Our Lady of Mercy National School, Cahir, Co. Tipperary and Castaheany Educate Together, Dublin 15.
Further information about Show Racism the Red Card, its Creative Competition and today’s prize-winners are available at www.theredcard.ie. ENDS Contact: Garrett Mullan, Coordinator, Show Racism the Red Card, Tel: 086-3927650 About Show Racism the Red CardShow Racism the Red Card is an anti-racism charity, which was founded in the UK in 1995, with a £50 donation from Newcastle United’s Shaka Hislop. The Irish branch was established in 2006. The aim of Show Racism the Red Card is to harness the high profile of sportspeople to combat racism. The organisation works to produce anti-racism educational resources, and to educate young people through workshops, summer camps and coaching activities. Show Racism the Red Card recently launched its new education pack for use in schools and learning environments around Ireland. The pack features top stars of Irish sport and young people relating their views on racism so as to promote an educational message to challenge racism. It was launched at Croke Park with the support of the GAA. Further information is available at: www.theredcard.ie.
