Craig Brown and the Scottish Learning Festival Show Racism the Red Card
Show Racism the Red Card, the UK’s premier anti-racist charity which uses professional footballers as anti-racism models, will be launching its 2010 creative competition at the Scottish Learning Festival in Glasgow on Thursday. Organised by Learning and Teaching Scotland (LTS), the Scottish Learning Festival is being held at the SECC on 23 and 24 September.
Set to be officially launched by ex-Scotland manager and former head teacher, Craig Brown, and supported by LTS, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), the Show Racism the Red Card competition is open to all children and young people from P1 to S6. This year is the first time that students from special schools and further education colleges will also be able to enter.
Billy Singh, campaign manager for Show Racism the Red Card, says: “After a break in 2009 to run an evaluation on the project, our annual competition is back and bigger than ever for 2010, with new categories for further education colleges and special schools. There is a wealth of creative talent out there and we want to use it to show that Scotland is a fair and inclusive society.”
The entrants’ creative work, which does not need to have a football focus, should reflect why racism has no place in Scotland. Creative work could include artwork, poetry, short story / creative writing, music composition, multimedia presentation, dance / drama, research project or T-shirt design.
Bernard McLeary, chief executive of LTS, says: “I’m delighted that Show Racism the Red Card will be launching its creative competition at this year’s Scottish Learning Festival. The charity and its principles support the core values of Curriculum for Excellence, encouraging Scotland’s children to become responsible citizens and show that racism has no place in our society.”
Dr Janet Brown, SQA Chief Executive says, "SQA is committed to supporting the Show Racism the Red Card campaign, helping to get the message to our learners that racism has no place in Scotland. The creative competition is an engaging way to encourage young people to think and act in a fair and inclusive way. I wish them all good luck with their competition entries."
President of the EIS, Helen Connor, says: “Scotland is home to a rich multi-cultural society, and schools across Scotland are proud of the diversity that pupils from many different backgrounds bring into the classroom. It is through education and our young people that we can create a country of which we can all be proud, free from racism and other forms of discrimination. The Show Racism the Red Card Schools' Competition is a terrific initiative that encourages young people to think about what they can do to combat racism and discrimination and sends a clear message that Scotland values all people from all backgrounds.”
Gordon Smith, chief executive of the SFA, says: "This is a fantastic competition run by an organisation that does incredible work. I've always believed that football has the power to inspire our young people to lead better lives. We have much to be proud of here in Scotland and I'm sure everybody who takes part in this competition will be a credit to their country."
For further information on the competition and to register interest, please visit www.sqa.org.uk/redcard and fill in the online registration form by 27 November. Closing date for entries is 29 January 2010.
The Show Racism the Red Card competition will be launched by former Scotland manager Craig Brown and Kilmarnock FC defender Simon Ford at 2 pm on Thursday 24 September at the Scottish Learning Festival. Former Celtic, Greenock Morton, Partick Thistle and Dundee player and current manager of Brechin City, Jim Duffy, will also be presenting an educational workshop at the event along with Gary MacKay, ex-Hearts player and Scotland international. The SPL trophy will also be at the festival for photo opportunities.
To register for a press pass, please log on to www.scottishlearningfestival.co.uk and go to the Media Centre.
Ends
For more information contact:
Kirsten Blackie
Media Relations Officer
Learning and Teaching Scotland
T: 0141 282 5036 E: K.Blackie@LTScotland.org.uk
Notes for editors:
1. Show Racism the Red Card is Scotland’s leading high profile anti-racist campaigning and educational charity. Its aim is to combat racism through enabling role models, who are predominantly but not exclusively footballers, to present an anti-racist message to young people and society. They achieve this through:
- Developing activities to encourage people to challenge racism.
- Developing campaigns and strategies to challenge racism at all levels of football and society.
- Producing educational resources including DVDs, magazines, posters and education packs.
The educational work is delivered by former professional footballers that currently include Derek Ferguson, Jim Duffy, Gary MacKay, Michael Weir and Brian Irvine.
An educational film tackling Islamophobia was recently launched at the Scottish Parliament in the presence of all party leaders. The film does not intend to educate people about the Islamic religion, but to challenge myths and stereotypes and encourage people to think critically about the information that they receive.
Billy Singh
Campaign Manager
T 0141 332 8566
E campaign@theredcardscotland.org
2. Learning and Teaching Scotland is the lead organisation involved in the development and support of the Scottish curriculum and is at the heart of all major developments in Scottish education www.LTScotland.org.uk