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21 June 2011

Young people have an important role to play in tackling hate and prejudice in society, a conference at City Hall heard on Monday 20 June.

The ‘Youth Unite’ event was organised by Belfast City Council in partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College and Unite Against Hate.

It was the first conference of its kind and is aimed at giving young people a forum to make their voices heard. It focused on giving the students and those working in the youth sector an opportunity to explore the issues of hate and prejudice and the impact they have on victims, as well as helping to promote a welcoming and inclusive city.

Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, said it was important to recognise the difference young people can make, and praised the students who attended the conference for their contribution.

“I feel very privileged to be the youngest mayor of Belfast and during my term of office I want to be a champion for the youth of this city and be a positive example of how age shouldn’t be a barrier to achieving your goals,” said Councillor Ó Donnghaile.

“As a city, I believe we need to reach out and engage with our young people and let them know that they are being listened to, and that their voice is an important one. Tackling hate crime, and supporting communities in doing so, is something the council is committed to as part of its ‘Safer Belfast’ plan; but I believe that in finding any solution, first we must understand the causes.

“The event was aimed specifically at students and youth organisations so that the council and others can hear what valuable feedback they have to offer. Really the aim of the conference is to look at the problem of hate and prejudice with a fresh pair of eyes and see how we can take ideas and initiatives forward.”

The conference examined how best to promote understanding and acceptance between those with different backgrounds or beliefs, as well as coming up with tangible solutions to promote inclusion.

Marie-Therese McGivern, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Metropolitan College, said: “It is a fundamental part of the college’s remit to provide an educational environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and actively demonstrates its intolerance of prejudice and hate.

“Belfast has a rich and diverse community and the college reflects this richness through its students and staff population. This conference was a great opportunity for the college and its students to help build a more open, welcome, culturally diverse and vibrant city.”

Unite Against Hate project manager, Eva Grossman, said: “Partnership is crucial to building better community relations at all levels in society. The ‘Youth Unite’ event was particularly significant as it gives us a platform to engage with young people, and to gain their perspective on prejudice and hate crime. This will enable us to explore how best to embrace and promote understanding, acceptance and diversity.”

Monica Fitzpatrick from the ‘Challenge Hate Crime’ project added: “The inclusion of young people in this level of discourse is most important. Not only will this event leave them better informed, it will also give them a public voice.”

Guest speakers at the event were Suzanne Wylie, Director of Belfast City Council’s Health and Environmental Services, Marie-Therese McGivern, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Metropolitan College, Gerry Skelton, lecturer at Belfast Metropolitcan College, and Duncan Morrow, Chief Executive of the Community Relations Council.

Belfast City Council has developed a number of initiatives to help tackle hate crime including a tension monitoring programme.

Richard McLernon, community safety co-ordinator with the council, said: “It encourages the council and other agencies to share information on any tensions that might exist within communities, for whatever reason, so that we can intervene and try to nip things in the bud before they escalate.”

Other initiatives which form part of the council’s ‘Safer Belfast’ plan include the annual ‘Unite Against Hate’ convention, providing training and raising awareness on all aspects of hate crime as well as encouraging reporting among victims.

For more information visit the council’s website www.belfastcity.gov.uk/hatecrime