Local pupils meet prejudice head on

The annual “Prejudice:Face On” programme is an initiative of Derry City Council’s community relations officers and has been a phenomenal success in getting young people involved in issues that affect them in their everyday lives.

A total of eleven local post primary schools in the Derry City Council area participated in the 2009/10 project.

Pupils from participating schools completed a series of workshops on the themes of sectarianism, racism and homophobia and also had a face-to-face encounter with a community representative from a different background to the majority of the pupils in their school.

The finale event also includes a presentation from Headliners (Youth Media Group) and a musical performance from Beyond Skin (Multi-cultural band) and was attended by the City's Mayor, Cllr Paul Fleming.

The Mayor, endorsing the initiative, said it was a very worthwhile project that encouraged young people to engage with each other on a wide range of social issues that affect them in their everyday lives.

He thanked everyone who participated in the programme and said he was confident it was effective in assisting the participants in overcoming any prejudices they may have had.

Betty Doherty, Community relations officer with Derry City Council said: "The programme has successfully encouraged pupils to think about their own perceptions and prejudices and to challenge themselves and others to combat prejudice."

The initiative is part of Derry City Council's Good Relations Strategy and is funded through the District Council's Community Relations Programme (CRU)

Schools represented included Lumen Christi College, St.Joseph's Boys School, Oakgrove Integrated College, St.Cecilia's College, Lisneal College, St.Mary's College, Foyle and Londonderry College, Thornhill College, Immaculate Conception College, St.Peter's High School and St.Patricks and St.Brigids Claudy.