Show Racism the Red Card (SRTRC), an anti-racism project that has operated in Ireland since 2007, is being re-launched under the management of the Immigrant Council of Ireland. The move sees SRTRC winding up as an independent charity, with responsibility for delivery of the SRTRC programme passed to the Immigrant Council.

The SRTRC programme aims to harness the high profile of sportspeople to combat racism. The programme provides educational resources, workshops, coaching sessions and awareness-raising activities for primary schools, secondary schools, youth groups and sporting stakeholders nationwide.

High-profile sportspeople that have supported SRTRC activities in the past include former Ireland internationals Roy Keane, Kevin Kilbane and Curtis Fleming; current Ireland internationals Darren Randolph, Rihanna Jarrett and Séamus Coleman; basketball player Jolie Niland; inter-county GAA players Lee Chin and Sharoize Akram; and table tennis player Sabina Devereux.

Aiming for Sustainable Growth

The re-launch of the SRTRC programme was announced today (20 April 2021) by the outgoing Board of Show Racism the Red Card, along with Brian Killoran, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

“We are delighted to take on the Show Racism the Red Card programme at a very significant time for all those involved in promoting integration and battling racism,” said Brian Killoran. “We aim to build on the excellent work done by the charity over the past 13 years to ensure the SRTRC programme reaches into every community in Ireland, and that young people are educated – from primary school onwards – on how to identify and challenge racism.”

Emer Costello, a member of the outgoing Board of SRTRC, said: “Over the lifetime of Show Racism the Red Card, it was a constant challenge to source funding to achieve sustainability for the organisation and enable it to grow. By winding down as an independent entity and transferring responsibility for programme delivery to the Immigrant Council, we believe we have finally found a solution to this ongoing challenge.

“We know the Immigrant Council does excellent work in combatting racism and promoting integration in Ireland, and – under the Immigrant Council’s guidance – Show Racism the Red Card will now have the capacity to deliver anti-racism work that has never felt more important or urgently needed. We hope the Immigrant Council continues to receive strong support from the Government and wider stakeholders and, crucially the funding needed, to deliver this essential work.”

The relaunch of Show Racism the Red Card is being made possible by the Merger Fund of The Community Foundation for Ireland. Chief Executive Denise Charlton added:

“Strong voices are vital if we are to end racism. This coming together of two fantastic advocacy organisations give’s Ireland such a voice. The Community Foundation wishes the relaunched campaign every success and looks forward to it being a leader on integration, inclusion and equality.”

Wednesday, 15th May 2019
 
Show Racism the Red Card highlights need for young people to be educated about racism
 
The need to educate young people about racism is greater than ever before because of the growth of far-right movements across Europe. That’s according to the anti-racism charity, Show Racism the Red Card, which today (15.05.19) launched an education pack for schools, youth groups and sports clubs across Ireland.

Speaking at the launch, Martina Quinn, Chairperson of Show Racism the Red Card, said: “Across Europe and the world, we have seen a growth in far-right movements in recent years. This has been accompanied by growing anti-migrant sentiments and increasing incidents of racism and xenophobia.

“Here in Ireland, where we pride ourselves on our tolerance and our traditional ‘Irish welcome’, we are starting to see some far-right forces creeping in. Some people in public life are using discriminatory statements about migrants and ethnic minorities to scaremonger and court popularity. And racist incidents still occur on the streets of our cities, towns and villages all too often.

“Against this backdrop, it is more important than ever before that we educate young people about racism and the steps they can take to challenge it. At Show Racism the Red Card, we are delighted to work with people who are in the public eye and who choose to use their position for good – to advocate for tolerance and respect, and to influence young people to speak out against racism.

“We know our new education pack will be used by hundreds of primary and secondary schools, youth groups and sports clubs throughout Ireland. As such, it will have an impact – at the most grassroots level – on tackling racism and discrimination.”

Involvement of Ireland footballers
The new education pack contains online resources and an accompanying video, featuring high-profile sportspeople such as Ireland international footballers Aiden O’Brien, Darren Randolph and David Meyler.

The pack was developed with support from the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration at the Department of Justice and Equality, as well as the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, the Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland, the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, and the Football Association of Ireland. It is available to download, free of charge, from www.theredcard.ie.

Launch by Lord Mayor of Dublin
The Show Racism the Red Card education pack was officially launched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Nial Ring, at an event in Dublin’s Mansion House today.

Speaking at the event, the Lord Mayor said: “Since it was established in 2007, Show Racism the Red Card has done excellent work in educating young people and adults about racism and how it can be challenged. The new education resources will build on all the work done with schools and youth groups over the past decade. I know they will be put to excellent use in classrooms throughout the country in the years to come.”

ENDS
 

This year saw 8169 people from 45 groups participate in Wear Red Day. This is the highest number in the three years of Wear Red Day. We were delighted that a number of workplaces joined the activities on the day. A new and exciting aspect to Wear Red Day 2018 was the lighting up Red of a number of iconic buildings around the country.

Check out the full report on this link