Throughout this month, the Unite Against Hate campaign is hosting digital storytelling sessions to educate young chilidren on diversity issues and racial inclusivity.
The prejudice-challenging programme has partnered with Still I Rise - Diversity Storytelling with the aim of promoting social inclusion to children aged 5-11.
Still I Rise – Diversity Storytelling is a project which was set up during the pandemic to encourage reading and sharing of literature which celebrates diversity.
Its founder, campaigner Orla McKeating delivered a pioneering talk on the issues of social stigma, especially around race in Northern Ireland, at the TEDxStormont event in 2019.
Since then, Orla has become an advocate for race inclusion, especially for women and children in ethnic minority communities.
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She said: “In racial inclusion terms, Northern Ireland is progressing. However, the 2019 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey showed 25% of the population still believed themselves to be ‘a little prejudice’ towards ethnic minorities.
"This shows work still must be done to reach out and inform people about tolerance and acceptance of all races. At Still I Rise, our mission is to break down the barriers of race and discrimination in Northern Ireland and work with our communities to promote inclusivity and kindness through words and storytelling.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Unite Against Hate to promote the message of diversity. Through sharing stories and using pictures and drawings to share with children how tolerance and acceptance of people of all races and ethnicities is key to a kinder world, we hope to inspire our children to be better than previous generations.
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“Diversity Storytelling is an excellent way to teach our children about both our differences and what binds us together. Children are never born with hate or prejudice attitudes.
"These are learned behaviours, often taught by society. If we can teach our children from an early age to be open and considerate to all people, then we can really work towards making our communities more open and inclusive, no matter age, gender or race.
“We are encouraging all parents and teachers across Northern Ireland to get involved and be part of the change our society needs. Our children are our future leaders. If we can show them from an early age that difference is something to be celebrated, then the very idea of racial intolerance and hate will be one of the past.”
Diversity Storytelling and its #FriendshipFridays initiative has been supported by Belfast City Council, Community Foundation NI and Irish American Partnership.
To register please go to: www.uniteagainsthate.org.uk/storytelling
