SARI Ireland – sport to struggle against racism
by Denise Nanni and Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. In the
following another interview we conducted this week about racism and the way to
struggle against it in Ireland. Before we talked to The
Red Card, then to Ken of SARI, active in
Ireland since 1997, the European Year Against Racism. For ProMosaik racism is
one of the major obstacles of inclusion, tolerance, and social justice in
European societies. Anti-racism is the solution to promote an inclusive
society, accepting diversity. It is also very important that we learn from
other countries and projects to improve our own struggle against racism and
discrimination of all kind in our communities.
following another interview we conducted this week about racism and the way to
struggle against it in Ireland. Before we talked to The
Red Card, then to Ken of SARI, active in
Ireland since 1997, the European Year Against Racism. For ProMosaik racism is
one of the major obstacles of inclusion, tolerance, and social justice in
European societies. Anti-racism is the solution to promote an inclusive
society, accepting diversity. It is also very important that we learn from
other countries and projects to improve our own struggle against racism and
discrimination of all kind in our communities.
Amina and Iesha Moustafa and Fadhila Hajji of Hijabs and Hat
Tricks with the global Beyond Sport award.
Tricks with the global Beyond Sport award.
In which context was your organization founded?
SARI was founded in the context of the European Year Against
Racism in 1997 and the high levels of the mental illness of xenophobia in the Irish
Republic.
Racism in 1997 and the high levels of the mental illness of xenophobia in the Irish
Republic.
How has civil society been responsive to your
initiative so far?
initiative so far?
profile projects and programmes with over 80 volunteers.
We have built up considerable respect from civil society and we are
always struggling to build up a critical mass to fight all forms of
discrimination in our communities and in our
country.
always struggling to build up a critical mass to fight all forms of
discrimination in our communities and in our
country.
What are, according your experience,
most effective strategies in order to promote tolerance and democratic values
among different communities?
most effective strategies in order to promote tolerance and democratic values
among different communities?
Sport is by far
the best medium. There is very high participation in many Sports. The Gaelic
Athletic Association (an Amateur body) has nearly a million members and is the
biggest amateur team sports body in the world.
the best medium. There is very high participation in many Sports. The Gaelic
Athletic Association (an Amateur body) has nearly a million members and is the
biggest amateur team sports body in the world.
Our Socrates-Football
for Democracy pilot programme (borrowed from Corinthians FC of Brazil) has
proved to be a very effective tool to
combat intolerance and promote democratic engagement.
for Democracy pilot programme (borrowed from Corinthians FC of Brazil) has
proved to be a very effective tool to
combat intolerance and promote democratic engagement.
Azeez Yusuff and Abdul Hajji, Sport Against Racism Ireland coaches
and Youth Leaders collecting funds to build a football pitch for girls in Gaza
Do you use other means, apart from sport, in
order to promote the intercultural dialogue?
order to promote the intercultural dialogue?
Yes, all our
programmes and projects are ‘people to people’ involving cultural integration
and social inclusion.
programmes and projects are ‘people to people’ involving cultural integration
and social inclusion.
The workshops for our youth leaders include modules on music, film
and food modules.
and food modules.
Do you cooperate with any
local authority or institution? If yes, how?
local authority or institution? If yes, how?
Yes, we sit on a community participation committee in Dublin City
Council. We are research partners with the
County Council and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council in Northern Ireland.
Council. We are research partners with the
County Council and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council in Northern Ireland.
Academic partners include Alpha College, Dublin, UNESCO Chair at
Tralee Institute of Technology, FIFA Master at De Montfort University,
Leicester, UK and ALBA, All Hallows College, Dublin. We are members of Anna
Lindh Foundation, United for Intercultural Action, European Network Against
Racism, The Council of Europe ‘No
Hate’ Movement, Football Against Racism Europe (founder members) and
streetfootballworld.
Tralee Institute of Technology, FIFA Master at De Montfort University,
Leicester, UK and ALBA, All Hallows College, Dublin. We are members of Anna
Lindh Foundation, United for Intercultural Action, European Network Against
Racism, The Council of Europe ‘No
Hate’ Movement, Football Against Racism Europe (founder members) and
streetfootballworld.
