Prevention of Right-Wing Extremism, Xenophobia and Racism in ...

suffered by asylum seekers are likely to contribute to problems around their access to school-
ing.
Informal education and racism in the UK
New Labour has also pursued policies aimed at developing the role of other, ‘informal’ educaeduca- tion approaches to dealing with problems around racism in young people. Institutions and
actors not directly participating in the formal processes of education, such as the family, local
community groups, and youth workers, are increasingly given a role in providing pedagogical
approaches to dealing with racism in young people complementing work by both the statutory
and voluntary sectors.
Until relatively recently, most interventions had focussed on the victims of racial crime and
harassment. The diffi culties of focussing on young people with racist attitudes are clear, with
many practitioners concerned about reinforcing notions of divided communities communities (Connections,
(Connections,
1999). However, it is also clear that this approach can be successful. A report published by the
Home Offi ce soon after New Labour’s election in 1997 held up one example of an intervention
aimed at young perpetrators of racist behaviour (Sibbett, 1997). The Otterley Detached Youth
Work Project was funded by the government in response to concerns around the number of
violent racial racial assaults in the Southleigh area of London. The project centred on the work of a
small number of youth workers based in Southleigh who worked very closely to challenge the
racist attitudes of young people in the area. This involved direct contact with young people,
and also educational visits to meet offenders in prison.
Although its success was diffi cult to quantify, representations from local police and young
people suggest that this approach is effective in questioning the underlying assumptions held
by young people around race. It also highlighted the importance of sustaining such interven-
tions over the long-term 32 .
A number of further examples of recent practice are worth noting:
Community Cohesion: This is the main government drive covering many discriminatory strands
like disability, ageism and sexuality. The relevant point for us here is the focus on race and
faith with Local Authorities being encouraged to apply for ‘beacon status’ – this is bestowed
on Local Authorities who demonstrate an overall ability of taking measures to ensure equal-
ity. The pathfi nder programme, as a part of the overall community cohesion strategy, awarded
funds for the delivery of ground breaking work with young people. For examples and more
information please visit: http://communities.homeoffi ce.gov.uk/raceandfaith/community-co-
hesion.
32 The report ends with a rather depressing coda, with the end of the government funding (and hence the
project) compounding, for some of the young people involved, the problems around a lack of long term
security, raising the possibility of reoffending.
Racism and Young People in the United Kingdom
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