Inspiring next generation to positively counter hate

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Latest news in Yorkshire: September 28, 2018 04:52:39 PM

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Inspirational speakers, poets and performers motivated school children to
recognise the “harms of hate” at a special event this week.

The event, which has been organised by Rotherham Council, took place in
front of around 600 pupils from across Rotherham’s secondary schools at
Magna Science Adventure Park.

The event, on Thursday September 27, featured survivors of hate recounting
their personal stories and lived experiences of coming through hate,
extremism and terror.

They spoke to the young people about their experiences, in a bid to get them
to challenge hatred when they see it and to work together and be united in
the fight against hate.

Cllr Emma Hoddinott, Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety
and Chair of the Safer Rotherham Partnership said: “Rotherham Council is
fronting this event in order to send a clear message about challenging
hatred. We wanted this event to empower and support young people in
Rotherham to think about some of the issues in society today.

“We want the next generation to lead the way in standing up against hatred
and to help each other. This is especially important here in Rotherham in
terms of the legacy of the child sexual exploitation scandal and the hate
issues which arose as a result. Only by challenging bigotry will things
change for the better. Educating young people to be at the forefront of this
change will ensure Rotherham becomes a better place for everyone.”

The Council’s aim was for the audience to be inspired by the stories and go
away with a sense of hope that things can change if positive action is
taken.

This work builds on the work of the Council’s community cohesion strategy,
working with partners to support residents and groups across the town.

Those speaking included Ahmad Nawaz, who experienced unbelievable tragedy
when members of the Taliban stormed his school in Peshawar in December 2014
when he was just 14 years old.

Cllr Sarah Allen, Cabinet Member for Cleaner, Greener Communities and
Cohesion added: “It is vital that our young people hear these powerful
stories first hand to help build a community ethos and resilience around any
forms of hate in the town.

“By inviting powerful speakers like Ahmad we hope to demonstrate that the
Council is firmly standing up against hate and taking a lead in showing that
through courage and determination we can increase the resilience of
Rotherham young people to make positive decisions about their futures.

“Ahmad was just 14 years old at the time of the attack and instead of
battling against the perpetrators, chose to fight back by campaigning to
motivate young people to think critically about the importance of rejecting
hateful thoughts and channel energies into creating a peaceful prosperous
society.

This is exactly the message that the Council is keen to promote to ensure
that every child is making the best start in life, and every adult is
secure, responsible and empowered.”

The event was funded by the Home Office and will be used to create an
educational video to be shared across all schools in the borough.

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