This notice was first published on the 14^th of June, 2007.

Anti-Racism Training Programme delivered to local Secondary Schools

Over 300 schoolchildren from 3 Secondary Schools in Monaghan Town have recently completed an Anti-Racism Programme. In recent weeks students from St Macartan’s College, St Louis Convent and Monaghan Collegiate undertook the hugely successful training. The training was funded by the County Monaghan Partnership through its Education Coordinator Ms. Shauna Farrell.

The Programme was delivered jointly between County Monaghan Partnership, Monaghan Family Home School Liaison Service and members of St Patrick’s Accommodation Centre. The aim of the training was to get students thinking about issues relating to racism and to challenge certain stereotypes that have emerged.

The structure of the training was delivered in three sections. Firstly, Ms. Audrey Wilson, Home School Liaison Officer asked questions about the various nationalities currently residing in County Monaghan. While the questions provoked much debate, they nonetheless served to highlight the point that various stereotypes have emerged in relation not only to foreign nationals but also to members of the traveling community.

This was followed by practical group exercises delivered by Mr. Gerard Callan from County Monaghan Partnership. These exercises challenged student’s beliefs and attitudes towards foreign nationals. It was clear that once students were taken into practical exercises they became more confident in talking about the issues.

Rounding off the Programme, Ms. Stella Ofosu Antwi, an asylum seeker based in St Patrick’s Accommodation Centre gave an overview of life in Monaghan since arriving. She told students that she had been in Monaghan for the past 5 years. Originally from Ghana, she outlined the difficulties associated with being an asylum seeker. Students were somewhat shocked to hear that she gets a basic weekly payment of €19.50.

However, Ms. Antwi thanked the people of County Monaghan for the welcome she had received since her arrival and now proudly calls Monaghan her home. She went on to say that “the key message that students should leave the Programme with is not to judge people solely by the colour of their skin or where they come from”. She urged children to get to know the person before they make a judgment.

Speaking at the training Mr. Gerard Callan, County Monaghan Partnership said “it is widely accepted that the most effective means of challenging racism is through working with our young people. They are ideally placed to promote tolerance and integrate with all newcomers. Indeed, we were greatly impressed with the levels of integration shown in the schools that undertook the training as all three had foreign national students who got on very well with other students. This certainly augers well for the future of integration within the County.”

For further information on the training you can contact the County Monaghan Partnership on 042 97 49500.