What is Action on Sectarianism?

YouthLink Scotland, the National Agency for Youth Work has set up the first independent public website designed to challenge sectarianism in Scotland, supported by the Scottish Government.

What is in the website?

Accessible on computers, tablets and mobile phones, this website will act as a central gateway to information and resources tackle sectarianism in Scotland by providing tailored user access to four distinct target groups:

1. Children
2. Young people
3. Adults: parents, carers, community groups.
4. AoS Network: teachers, youth workers, academics, policy officers, community activists.

What will it achieve?

The aim of the website is to provide 'information that inspires action' in local communities across Scotland by sharing stories of those affected sectarianism and showcasing the work and resources that are able to address it.

Who's it for?

The website is for everyone, including:
Children, young people and adults in local communities, as well as; Community Groups, Local Authorities, Youth Work projects, Schools, Businesses, Government Agencies and Academics.

What's it like?

Action on Sectarianism looks and feels the same on multiple platforms; computers; tablets and mobile phones. It acts as a one-stop-shop to the best resources, marketing and educational initiatives from across Scotland and includes; Three unique public channels for children, young people and adults with music, videos, stories, practical guides, parental advice and an interactive zone, designed to get folk thinking differently about the issue and sharing their perspectives. The AoS Network, a dedicated secure channel where practitioners and activists can share their work and research and look at innovative ways of communicating this to the public.

Who else is involved?

The Scottish Government has initiated and funded a number of innovative projects and educational resources to support sectarianism over the last few years, including ‘Beyond a Culture of Two Halves.’ In 2012 an independent advisory group was set up, chaired by Dr Duncan Morrow, to inform policy on sectarianism. There are a number of communities and organizations across Scotland currently working together to tackle sectarianism, and the Scottish Government is funding a range of approaches with £9m investment over three years. 

The swift legislative response and investment in local community projects demonstrates the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackle the issue but there is now a need to effect long-term cultural change and that requires a wider, longer term approach. Youth Link Scotland has worked with a range of partner organizations, agencies, communities and individuals to generate content for the website and will continue to work in partnership to achieve the ultimate goal of a Scotland free from sectarianism.

Want to get involved?

The design of the website as an open source platform allows for easy access and editing of their website with this option being open to anyone in the Action on Sectarianism (AoS) Network. Youth Link Scotland has offered training for administrators and editors of the website and will continue to offer this option so that the website stays fresh and is open to all.

Young People

Children and Young people

Adults

Parents, carers, community groups

Organisations taking action

Bridging the Gap

Nil by Mouth

North Kelvin Sports Development Group

Sacro

Sense Over Sectarianism

The Fair Play Foundation

West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC)

Youth Scotland

Get Involved

Get support for sectarianism

If you have experienced or witnessed any form of sectarianism you can get information on the support available in the guidance sections of the young people and adults pages. If you need to report a hate crime you can do so by contacting Police Scotland or through a Third Party Reporting Centre. More information on this is available in our Guidance pages.

Tel 0131 202 8050 Email aos@youthlink.scot

Do something in your community

If you want to take action and do something to tackle sectarianism in your community you can find out how others have been successful in our Directory and Library pages. There is lots of information there to use as inspiration. If you are doing something, tell us about it and we will feature your good news and events on the website and through our social media channels. Also get in touch if you need support or guidance.

Tel 0131 202 8050 Email aos@youthlink.scot

Have resources to upload?

Have you created an amazing resource that helps to tackle sectarianism in your community? Then why not share it with us and let others access it and learn from your good practice. To submit a resource, event or news article email or call us at the details below.

Tel 0131 202 8050 Email aos@youthlink.scot

Thursday, September 13th 2018

September: WSREC Month of Action

In September we will be focussing on the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council (WSREC) and their work in promoting the Mainstreaming Anti-Sectarianism in Equalities Toolkit. 

The toolkit is predominantly intended for public and third sector agencies to assist them in mainstreaming anti-sectarianism within their current practices to meet the requirements of the Equality Act (2010) and the Public Sector Equality Duty.

The purpose of the toolkit is to promote a greater understanding of sectarianism as an intersectional equality issue at both policy and community delivery levels; and translate these issues into matters of interest and concern for both statutory and voluntary agencies within Scotland.

 

The toolkit aims to provide:

• rich, qualitative materials to use for inclusive intra-Christian anti-sectarianism training;

• specific methodological guidelines and considerations;

• guidelines to align anti-sectarianism activities within wider equalities work;

• advice on removing current barriers or difficulties to mainstreaming in the existing equalities frameworks of Scottish local authorities;

• advice on clear pathways to mainstreaming for Scottish local authorities, equalities and community development projects; and

• learning resources; resource guides; and recommendations for policy and practice.

 

The following resources are available to download as part of WSREC's Month of Action: 

 

1. Mainstreaming Anti-Sectarianism (MAS) into wider equalities policy and delivery: 8 myth busters.
2. Critical thinking cards. These are for students and employees in order to help them become more critical about their own and the views of others. 
3. Sectarianism Poster. This is a A SCIP analysis that shows the context where sectarian attitudes and behaviours emerge and are maintained. The issues mentioned are not necessarily bad or illegal but are issues that may contribute to sectarian attitudes and behaviours and therefore they may require to be changed, be more openly discussed, explained. 
4. Allport Scale of Prejudice which measures of the manifestation of prejudice in society.
 

You can access each of the resources here.

For more information please contact  Ben Williams This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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