What happened?

Equal Futures: children and young people building racial equality

3rd national conference, 2nd December 2003, SECC Glasgow:
Racial equality starts with each of us

As Scotland becomes increasing multi ethnic with an ever changing diverse population, it is vital we develop an understand of the concerns, expectations and contributions of our diverse society. The 3rd national conference supported Scotland's younger citizens as they networked and engaged in debate and dialogue with professionals from all sectors. We are now working on reports from the conference, which will appear here as soon as they are complete.

Meanwhile here is a report presenting the feedback from an “open-space” type event at the 2003 conference with approximately 50 young people from 12 to 16 years of age from all over Scotland. Click here to download.

Young peoples views on race, racism and education.
National scoping exercise.

Following on from the murder of the black teenager, Stephen Lawrence changes were promised across society. The subsequent MacPherson Report published after Stephen’s murder, has been the single most relevant driver for race equality change in the UK in the last fifty years or so. This report helped bring about the introduction and implementation of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

Many young people continue to see and experience racism, discrimination and prejudice and have requested that it is openly talked about at the Conference.

As part of the third annual conference, 2nd December 2003, SECC Glasgow, there was an informed ‘round table discussion’ with children , young people and Scottish ‘educators’ about : the education system as viewed and experienced by children and young people.

What happened earlier

November 2001 and the first national conference, SECC Glasgow, held on St Andrews Day hosted in excess of 500 delegates. A copy of the report for adults is available to download here, and a copy of the report for young people here.

The second Equal Futures conference on the 27th November 2002 was the single largest event in Scotland that year which looked at race and equality issues in an ever diversifying Scotland. A copy of the conference report for young people is available to download here, and a copy of the report for adults is available to download here.

Equal Futures in the Highlands

The first Equal Futures event to be held in the Highlands on the 29th October 2003 enabled young people to build on their awareness and appreciation of race, diversity, and equality. It was a highly participative day of talks, activities and workshops presented by experts in race equality work.