A special anti-racism event in Midleton Educate Together NS was attended by Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton. The event is part of a Wear Red Day national campaign launched this year by Show Racism the Red Card.
“I am delighted to be supporting this very important initiative by Show Racism the Red Card. Ireland is becoming an increasingly multicultural society and it is of utmost importation that integration is promoted at all level so it is great to see the Wear Red Day being celebrated at local primary school in my constituency.
“Since its establishment Midleton Educate Together has been very active in supporting diversity. The school was the first school In Cork to be awarded a Yellow Flag for promoting multiculturalism and was awarded its second Yellow Flag this year. It also holds an annual intercultural day which celebrates the different cultures of pupils in the schools through art, music and food.
“In my role as Minister for Integration I recently launched a large funding initiative in the Department of Justice which has a total budget of €13.3 million over the next four years for migrant integration and gender equality projects. Projects eligible for funding under the migrant integration strand will help to achieve greater participation in Irish society via anti-racism and cultural diversity initiatives, workplace training schemes, education and other practical supports”, said Minister Stanton.
“Show Racism the Red Card has been encouraging schools, businesses and community organisations to wear red on Friday 25th November and to share their activities on social media using the hashtag #WRD16 to help raise much needed funds for the charity. All funds raised through Wear Red Day will be used by Show Racism the Red Card to continue to challenge racism through providing education resources, programmes and intercultural activities which support integration. Anyone interested in learning more about the initiative can go to http://www.theredcard.ie/
“I know from discussions with Show Racism the Red Card that almost half of all teachers say that they have witnessed racism in the classroom so it is hoped that by holding Wear Red Day events in schools that this will help to raise awareness of racism among young children and so reduce racist comments and incidents in schools and school yards”, concluded Minister David Stanton.
