SPPA’s Holyrood seminar a huge success

A very successful and worthwhile Respecting Difference Seminar, hosted by SPPA in partnership with the Peace Initiative Institute (Pii), NIPPA, and Queen’s University Belfast, attracted over 70 delegates to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on June 15.

The Minister for Children and Early Years, Adam Ingram MSP, who opened the seminar in Holyrood, said he would be “willing to discuss the findings with SPPA and consider the project’s relevance in Scotland”. Delegates represented a wide cross section of key policy makers, researchers and practitioners from across Scotland, including representatives of several departments of the Scottish Executive, MSPs and their representatives, education officers from local authorities, early years and children’s charities, community leaders of ethnic minority, anti-discrimination and other equality groups and agencies as well as a delegation of colleagues representingthe Board of directors, staff and members of SPPA.

The scene was set for the morning meeting with keynote addresses given by Paul Harris, Executive director of Pii; Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of NIPPA; and Paul Connolly, Professor of Education at Queen’s University in Belfast.The seminar discussed the findings of extensive research carried out in Northern Ireland and Manchester that has provided evidence of young children’s negative attitudes towards sectarianism, bullying, racism and disability.

Delegates at the seminar also heard how the ‘Media Initiative For Children’ © (which broadcasts 60 second TV programmes on prime time television with associated curriculum material for follow-up discussions in the pre-school setting) has been a very positive and attitude changing experience for many children, parents and pre-school staff throughout Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.

The seminar ended with a commitment to take the debate forward in Scotland with delegates unanimously saying that the project has relevance for Scotland’s preschool children but recognising that a different approach may be required to ensure its success in Scotland. A proposal was accepted by delegates to establish an advisory body to help drive the project forward in Scotland.

The seminar attracted huge media interest much of it not surprisingly focusing on the controversial subject of sectarianism and religous bigotry. There have been many comments already made by commentators, the public and parents, with both favourable and in many cases sceptical views being expressed about the relevance of the programme for young children. Siobhan Fitzpatrick, NIPPAs Chief Executive said that “not everyone was convinced of the need for such an approach with young children especially in the early days of promoting the scheme in Northern Ireland”.

Pictured, left to right, are: Paul Harris, Siobhan Fitzpatrick, SPPA Chief Executive Ian Mclaughlan, and Professor paul Connolly