This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Support for tackling racial discrimination
21/03/2006
New radio adverts and funding for projects tackling racist attitudes and behaviour were unveiled today, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Five new radio ads for the One Scotland Many Cultures campaign have been developed to highlight the impact of racism.
The first two reflect on everyday situations where people may hear others use racist language and pose the question: "If you don't say something about racism, who will?"
Three further adverts, to be broadcast later, have people speaking about their personal experiences of being part of a community and how racism can affect people's lives.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"We must never forget or ignore the reality that racism still exists in Scotland.
"Racism and discrimination deny people their basic human rights. No one should ever live in fear, no child should ever be disadvantaged because of the prejudices and ignorance of others.
"I am particularly keen that young people know that racism and discrimination is simply unacceptable. There is no place for such intolerance and prejudice in a fair, equal, modern Scotland."
Announcing further financial support to extend the work of some of the organisations working at the forefront of Scotland's efforts to raise awareness and confront racism head on, Mr Chisholm said:
"I am proud that the Executive, Parliament and so many organisations never cease to ensure there is a continuing challenge to racism in Scotland.
"Changing attitudes is something which cannot be done alone. I believe that by consistently reminding people of our clear message, and by working with and supporting local and national groups to educate, inform and tackle racism at its heart, we will achieve this."
Show Racism the Red Card, Scotland's campaign against racism in football and society, is to receive £275,000 to continue its work with young people, schools and football clubs around the country.
This will see SRTRC enacting new procedures and campaigns to create a zero tolerance approach to racist abuse in club stadia and the amateur leagues and; implementing new strategies to increase the number of Scottish black and minority players represented at all levels of Scottish football.
Roddy McNulty, Show Racism the Red Card's Scottish Co-ordinator said:
"Although racist abuse finally seems to be on the way out of Scottish football stadia, SRTRC Scotland greatly appreciates this funding boost from the Scottish Executive at a time when the number of racist incidents continues to rise in Scottish society.
"Over the next three years, educationally, we will be expanding our work in schools and informal educational environments, ensuring that we fully utilise both the goodwill and high profile of Scotland's professional footballers to educate young people, and others, that racism is unacceptable.
"SRTRC would like to thank football fans, footballers, and all our partners, including the Scottish Executive, for the support we receive. Our message for the next 3 years remains clear - we all have a role to play in kicking racism out of Scotland."
Heartstone, the Scottish non-profit organisation challenging prejudice and intolerance, is to receive £135,000 to continue its work in schools and develop an exhibition network to ensure people across Scotland are able to access stories and images from the new 'Descendants of All Worlds' programme, which challenges commonly-held perceptions and stereotypes.
Sita Kumari, Director of Heartstone, said:
"The new network is an innovative way to bring together organisations and individuals from a variety of backgrounds to create and display the photo documentary exhibition across Scotland.
"I am so delighted that we have support from the Executive to establish this and a new education project which will use these stories to generate discussion and debate on the issues of racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.
"Together, these new elements of our work will ensure that all age groups can be reached."
The allocation of further funding to tackle racism through the £2 million Race Equality Integration and Community Support Fund will be announced in April.