Let’s talk about (anti)racism seminar

Theme:

“We need to talk about racism. And we need to act. It is always possible to change direction if there is a will to do so. I am glad to live in a society that condemns racism. But we should not stop there. The motto of our European Union is: ‘United in diversity’. Our task it to live up to these words, and to fulfil their meaning”.

- President von der Leyen, European Parliament, 17 June 2020

The motto of the European Union is: ‘United in diversity’ and the Commission’s EU Anti-racism Action Plan for 2020-2025 aims to step up action against racism and achieve a Union of Equality. Research has shown that racism has wide-reaching negative effects on individuals, families, communities, and entire societies. Racism has an impact in areas you may not have considered including healthcare, education, employment, and housing.

Then why is the struggle for racial equality not over, and seems that it is just starting now in many places through important, big movements, like “Black Lives Matter”? What is (anti-)racism and how can YOUth work address it is important question that we want to tackle with this seminar.

Anti-racism is a process of actively identifying and opposing racism. The goal of anti-racism is to challenge racism and actively change the policies, behaviours, and beliefs that perpetuate racist ideas and actions. Anti-racism is rooted in action. It is about taking steps to eliminate racism at the individual, institutional, and structural levels. It is not a new concept, but the Black Lives Matter movement has helped increase the focus on the importance of anti-racism. Anti-racism requires looking at your own beliefs and actions critically.

We want to create space for reflection and putting our own, social and organisational attitudes, beliefs and practices under the magnifying glass. To be able to better understand the power structures and dynamics, we’ll analyse the roots and mechanisms of the racial discrimination, but we, as professionals will have to examine our own biases and powers too. Are our projects and structures really accessible and built on equality and fairness? How can we challenge ourselves and power systems in order to create the change and what role international programmes have in this?

The seminar will be accompanied and follow up with the ID Talks webinar(s) and study visits in Finland in Jun and in Austria in October 2022.

Aim of the seminar

To develop professionals 'diversity management’ skills in order to create better opportunities for young people faced with or at risk of discrimination and racism.

Objectives:

• To gain better understanding of what is racism, its mechanisms and effects
• To reflect on our own biases, structural issues and organisational practices
• To raise awareness on why is anti-racism important and how to promote antiracist behaviours
• To exchange strategies and variety of ways of combating racism and discrimination.
• To strengthen anti-racist and anti-discriminatory behaviours and practices among youth professionals

Participants' profile:

Max 35 professionals working directly with young people on a regular basis. This includes youth workers, youth leaders, teachers, coaches, social and health workers, employment officers, local authorites, policy makers, researchers…

• Participants who work with young people with a minority racial or ethnic background and/or or migrant youth, will be given priority.
• Participants who have agency to make & implement changes in organisation
• Interested in developing their diversity management skills and anti-racist behaviours and practices 
• International experience is not a must. 
• Able to work in (international) English.
• From E+: YiA Programme countries & partner countries

Team:

Seminar is co-organised by SALTO Inclusion & Diversity and the Romanian National Agency for the E+ programme.