Training - October 2008

The Center for Prevention of Hate Violence (CPHV) and INCORE held a Unity Team Conference on Monday 20th October which brought together the Unity Team Members from Foyle and Londonderry College, St Mary’s College and Oakgrove College. The conference aimed to provide the young people with strategies and practical skills for interrupting sectarian and racial/ethnic bias, bullying and harassment, and gave students the opportunity to develop their own projects and initiatives that will address and prevent problem behaviour in their schools.

On 21st - 23rd October CPHV and INCORE delivered Student Leadership Workshops to students who have not been involved in the Unity Project. The aim of the Student Leadership training is to empower students to confront the problems of degrading language, bullying and harassment. The students participated in a full-day, highly interactive workshop that focused on the damaging impact of degrading language, bias and harassment.

In addition CPHV and INCORE organised Controversial Dialogue Sessions with each of the schools. These sessions address the use of sectarian and racial stereotyping and slurs in schools. The aim of the dialogue session is to try to break down stereotypes and to provide students with the skills to reduce harassment in their school.

Student Feedback from Training

"I will try and help other people more when they are being discriminated”

“People treat others differently when they aren't that different at all"

“Treat others with more respect and stop racism and sectarianism”

“I don't stereotype or discriminate people as much as I used to and I like to get to know the person before judging them”

“I now have more knowledge and confidence that I can stand up for victims”

“It made me think about the seriousness of bullying and others feelings. It also gave me confidence I could never really stand up and give my opinion but now I can”

“I would try and prevent bullying whatever type it is"

"I now have a better understanding of bias, prejudice, harrassment and violence and I know how it effects people and why it is wrong"

 

The Unity Project is funded by the Camelot Foundation.