Click here to see an archive of stories featured: 29/06/2004 - 29/06/2005

The second archive of news stories that have appeared on the CRN:UK

29th June 2005 - 31st December 2005

Read past news articles by clicking here or browse the index below:

Stadium plan for Maze jail stirs anger it is aimed at resolving
news.telegraph (External Source)
Tom Peterkin, Ireland Correspondent
28 December 2005

The Maze prison, which became infamous as the scene of the deaths of 10 IRA hunger strikers, is at the centre of a storm over Government plans to transform it into a £85 million sports stadium.

The jail that held Northern Ireland's most dangerous paramilitaries closed more than four years ago and the plan is to develop it into a national stadium with a capacity of 42,000 outside Belfast. The intention is to bridge the religious divide and unite sporting traditions.

The plan would include an international centre for conflict resolution in one of the H Blocks and the hospital wing where republican prisoners, including Bobby Sands, starved themselves to death in 1981.

That aspect has raised unionist fears that the development could be hijacked by republicans who might turn the stadium into an IRA shrine celebrating terrorism.

Click here for the story in full.

Union in festive anti-racism plea
BBC Online (External Source)
24 December 2005

Scotland's largest teaching union has urged schools to use festive season goodwill to help combat racism.

The plea came from the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS), which said the holiday was the ideal time for youngsters to reflect on inequality.

The union said society's attitudes could be changed through young people.

It also announced the launch of an anti-racism competition for schools, in partnership with the charity Show Racism the Red Card.

The competition runs until 17 February and the prize-giving will take place at Hampden Park in March.

Click here for the story in full.

Regions unite to demand race recognition in equalities body
BLINK (External Source)
Lester Holloway
22 December 2005

Umbrella groups representing ethnic minorities across Britain are demanding race is not sidelined in a single equalities body.

The main BME organisations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have come together to demand a race committee as part of the proposed Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR).

They are among almost 200 organisations and individuals who have signed a statement calling on the government not to sideline the fight against racism when the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) is abolished to make way for the CEHR.

The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM), the All Wales Ethnic Minority Association (AWEMA), and BEMIS (Black and Ethnic Minorities in Scotland) are all demanding changes to plans being piloted through Westminster by equalities minister Meg Munn.

Click here for the story in full.

Call for New Body to Mediate in Areas of Racial Tension
Financial Times (External Source)
Jimmy Burns
November 30 2005

A new commission with a remit to promote conflict resolution in race and ethnic relations must be created by the government if it is to meet the integration challenge facing the UK, Trevor Phillips, the chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, said last night.

Mr Phillips admitted that the structure of his own organisation meant it did not have the "resources, powers and mandate" to deal with the challenge "coherently and properly".

Click here for the story in full.

Now Blacks Rally to End Colour-Blind Race Model
The Times (External Source)
Adam Sage
November 28, 2005

The French political tradition of racial colour-blindness is facing an unprecedented challenge after the launch at the weekend of France’s first black consciousness movement.

The Conseil Représentatif des Associations Noires (CRAN) - the Representative Council of Black Associations - held its inaugural meeting in the National Assembly, and aims to break the taboo surrounding the issue of race in French public life. “We want to make sure that the black question cannot be ignored any longer,” Louis-Georges Tin, its founding member, said.

Click here for the story in full.

Compassion Is The Only Route To Peace
News Letter (External Source)
Lesley Walsh
Tuesday 22nd November 2005

Compassion is the route to peace and reconciliation, the Dalai Lama said yesterday.

During the second day of his visit to Northern Ireland, the Buddhist leader was in Belfast to open the new Mediation Centre on University Street.

The Mediation Centre provides training in mediative skills and conflict resolution.

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon cutting, the Buddhist spiritual leader gave an address on "overcoming the negativity that stops people talking".

Click here for the story in full.

Give Peace a Chance
ICCoventry.co.uk (External Source)
Helena Markovic
22 November 2005

COVENTRY'S international reputation as a city of peace and reconciliation makes it the perfect place for the world's first peace centre.

A centre of peace and reconciliation would unite religions and bring people from all backgrounds together. It would include a museum of shared heritage, explaining the contributions all communities have made to the city, a faith gallery and a children's world for youngsters to play and learn about a peaceful future.

Click here for the story in full.

Cash Boost for Communities to Tackle Gun and Knife Crime
Home Office
Friday 18 November 2005

A quarter of a million pounds seized from criminals will be recycled to support local projects tackling gun and knife crime, Home Office Minister Hazel Blears announced today.

The cash will be made available to groups working in the areas worst affected by gun and knife crime as part of the Government's drive to channel the proceeds of crime back into communities. It will kick-start new initiatives and support ongoing local schemes, such as sport and music activities, to help young people break away from gang culture, as well as supporting victims and mentoring projects.

The next round of the Connected Fund opens today and applications for grants of up to £5,000 are invited. The closing date for bids is 16 December 2005.

Ms Blears said:

"Communities are at the heart of the fight against gun and knife crime. People in all neighbourhoods have the right to feel safe and there is great commitment and energy at a community level to tackle these problems.

"The Connected Fund is a unique, simple source of funding targeted at the areas suffering particular problems with gun and knife crime, which groups can access with the minimum of bureaucracy. It means that small community groups are not prevented from doing valuable work for the want of a small amount of funding.

"It supports the vital work of local projects that are helping to tackle gun and knife crime, such as working with young people at risk of being drawn into gun crime and gangs, working with schools and providing support for victims.

"Seizing criminals' ill-gotten gains and ploughing the proceeds straight back into communities and crime-busting local projects is part of the Government's drive to rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of victims and communities, and to refocus the system on its basic purpose - to cut crime."

To read about projects that have received money or to download an application pack for the next round of funding, please click here.

Anti-Racist Pupils Rap Local Prejudice
EDP24 (External Source)
Isabel Cockayne
18 November 2005

Students yesterday spoke out against the “racism and prejudice” they saw in their Norfolk market town.

Speaking at the first anti-racist curriculum day being held at the town's 680-pupil Charles Burrell High School, students Antony Dorling, 14, and Becky Stronge, 15, said Thetford was “terrible” for not accepting other cultures.

Both believed yesterday's day-long anti-racism event could only have a positive effect on people's attitudes.

Click here for the full story.

Hot Issue: Could the Parisian uprisings ever be replicated in the UK?
Young People Now (External Source)
16 November 2005

YPN asks Khalid Mahmood MP (Birmingham, Perry Barr), Uanu Seshmi (Director, From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation), Jay Blades (outreach worker, Street Dreams) and Reverend Les Isaac (Director, Street Pastors, Ascension Trust), whether they think the Parisian riots could ever be replicated in the UK.

Click here to find out what they think.

Are We Making a Beastly Mistake?
The Herald (External Source)
Beth Pearson
November 15 2005

Biologist and animal behaviourist Frans de Waal is quick to translate human experience into broader primate terms. "A chimp would not tolerate this schedule," he says cheerfully, having flown in from Atlanta, Georgia, to begin a demanding publicity tour for his new book, Our Inner Ape.
What de Waal is demonstrating – tolerance in the face of interviews, lectures, book signings and chaired discussions – indicates an easy-going, peace-keeping nature more associated with bonobos. Both common chimpanzees and bonobos – the two species of chimpanzee constituting the genus Pan – share near-identical DNA with humans. De Waal is interested in how this animal inheritance is manifested in human behaviour.

Click here to find the implications of Frans de Waal's theories for our ideas about human nature and violence.

Stars turn out in force for Football Unites’ tenth anniversary bash
14 November 2005

Football Unites, Racism Divides celebrated its tenth anniversary with a star-studded event at Bramall Lane on Friday 11 th November.

The number of high-profile guests who attended showed how much the project has achieved since its early days when it had to battle to overcome cynicism that such an initiative was necessary.

Brendon Batson and Richard Caborn MP

The evening was compered by BBC Radio Sheffield presenters Jay and Sam, along with Piara Powar, director of the national anti-racism campaign Kick It Out, and guests were welcomed with speeches from the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Roger Davison, Sheffield United’s vice-chairman Terry Robinson and Sheffield Central MP and Minister for Sport Richard Caborn.

150 guests attended the dinner sponsored by Sheffield United. Several pioneering black footballers were present, including Brendon Batson, now a consultant with the Football Association, Luther Blissett, Gary Bennett, Ces Podd, and United’s own Tony Agana and Trenton Wiggan. They were joined by current Blades stars Paul Ifill, Alan Quinn and Jonathan Forte, whilst Wednesday were represented by director Ken Cooke and Community Manager Julian Winter.

Other guests were no less important to the progress of Football Unites. They ranged from Millennium Volunteers and other voluntary workers, to representatives of the amateur football teams and leagues that Football Unites works with, to researchers and academics, local youth workers and learning mentors, local councillors, representatives of the Football Foundation and FARE (Football Against Racism in Europe), including partner projects from England, Ireland, Germany and Austria.

Entertainment was provided in the form of poetry from Chantwriters, a short film about Football Unites’ work, and live music from band Hanging on to Harry, with guest guitarist Frank Clark, Nottingham Forest’s European Cup-winning player and now vice-chair of the League Managers’ Association.

Awards, sponsored by the Professional Footballers’ Association, were presented to people who’ve been instrumental in Football Unites’ work over the years. Young Volunteers awards were given to Kamran Khan, Keith Ward and Uzma Bibi, while Kevin Titterton, Larry Babs Mohammed and Jama Elmi received Adult Volunteers awards. Brendon Batson and Sheila Leeson were recognised for their contributions towards tackling racism in football nationally, whilst Wednesday’s Julian Winter and United’s Andy Pack were thanked for their support of anti-racist work at their respective clubs

Play Drives Race Problems Home
Peterborough Today (External Source)
14 November 2005

TEENAGERS have taken to the stage to tackle racism in a hard-hitting drama.

The powerful drama, aimed at tackling racism and other prejudices, was written and performed by young people from the Ramsey and Huntingdon Youth Centres.

Entitled Open Your Mind, the play tells the story of a love affair between a black boy and a white girl from different areas of Huntingdonshire.

And, in a bid to really drive the anti-racism message home, the production uses places known to the audience.

Click here to read the story in full.

Chirac admits riots had 'exposed inequality'
The Guardian (External Source)
Jon Henley
Friday November 11, 2005

Jacques Chirac yesterday acknowledged that the urban violence in France had exposed the "undeniable problems" faced by many inhabitants of immigrant communities, and said that they had to be responded to quickly.

The French president said discrimination and inequality were feeding the rebellion of young people in deprived suburbs. "Whatever our origins, we are all the children of the republic, and we can all expect the same rights," he said.

Click here to read the story in full.

The second annual Conflict Resolution Network UK conference took place on 2 November 2005. The event brought together over 100 young people from across the UK to learn new skills in conflict resolution and anti-racism.

The event, organised in partnership with Aik Saath and Breaking Barriers in Burnley, involved workshops from network members REWIND and Geese Theatre Company (in addition to those delivered by the organisers). Aerosol Arabic and Ludus Dance Company also delivered workshops.

Through the above workshops, young people:

• Explored and analysed conflict through sculptures, theatre and dance;
• Explored their identities through hip-hop and graffiti;
• Traced the origins of racism through historical sources and multi-media.

Other highlights of the day included an opening speech by Karin Woodley, Chief Executive of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. In an emotive opening address, she challenged all the attendees to find their common ground and to work together to confront racism and violence.

Polarised, a film by Breaking Barriers in Burnley, was used to inspire a workshop that brought all the attendees together, to look at questions such as ‘What causes racism?’ and ‘How can racist attitudes be challenged?’

In order to minimise any discomfort to Muslim attendees (the conference took place during Ramadan but before Eid), the conference started at 12.00 and all the attendees broke their fasts together at 4.45. Following this, there was a sharing session in the evening of the skills, ideas and art produced during the workshops. The performances were of an exceptionally high standard given the relatively short period of time the young attendees were given to work together.

To read evaluative feedback from young people who attended the conference or view pictures from the day, please click here.

Traffic Wardens to Keep the Peace
Camden Gazette (External Source)
26 October 2005

PARKING wardens are to be given special training in "conflict resolution" in a bid to cut down on confrontations with angry drivers.

The move was agreed by Camden Council as part of a major review of parking policies.

Click here to read the story in full.

In any crisis, there are facts, rumours and lies. The challenge facing Birmingham is to work out which is which in the wake of clashes between the city's Black and Asian communities.

The story started when a pirate radio station DJ aired allegations that a Black teenage girl had been gang raped by Asian men in a beauty shop near to the Lozells area.

Click here for the full story

Have you read a piece about the situation in Lozells you would like others to read about? Post it on the CRN:UK discussion forum by following the link below:

Black History Month
Peace Pledge Union News
Jan Melichar
21st October 2005

October is Black History Month. The aims of BHM are to: Promote knowledge of Black History and experience. Disseminate information on positive Black contributions to British Society. Heighten the confidence and awareness of Black people in their cultural heritage.

One way you can help further the aims of Black History Month and find out more about the power of nonviolence is by using the PPUs material on Martin Luther King. Known for his leadership of the civil rights movement in the USA, Martin Luther King Jnr. was a champion of nonviolence and the rights of the dispossessed. His qualities - depth and breadth of vision, single-mindedness of purpose, organising ability, the power to move through speeches and writings, his sheer energy - mark him out as exceptional.

The PPU has a CD on Martin Luther King suitable for those who want to read or listen to his speeches - or just to find out more about this amazing man. The CD comes with a selection of materials on King¹s life and his work for peace. Listen to his speeches on a CD player or find much more when used in a computer. Read and listen to quotations, speeches and commentary on King¹s remarkable life.

Teachers and students can follow five Key Stage 3/4 lessons to learn more about the start of the civil rights movement, peaceful but effective responses to conflict situations and how King¹s life was brought to an end. The CD is available ONLINE at http://www.ppu.org.uk/sales

We also have an area of the LearnPeace website dedicated to Martin Luther King where you can find out more about him:
http://www.ppu.org.uk/learn/infodocs/people/pst_mlk.html

Painting for Peace
Peace Pledge Union News
Jan Melichar
21st October 2005

Art is an ideal way in for children to learn about issues of conflict and peace. It has the power to give shape and colour to feelings and hopes, the ability to communicate across barriers and to help understand one¹s own and other people¹s culture.

This summer a group of schoolchildren from two local primary schools came together to develop, design and paint a peace mural on the side of the PPU office.

Find out more http://www.ppu.org.uk/mural

Women among paper tigers
Open Democracy
Maj Britt Theorin
21st October 2005

How to finish what we started - Maj Britt Theorin, formerly of the European Parliament’s Committee of Women’s Rights and Equality, on retrieving the year 2000’s resolutions on women in peace-building, from dusty office drawers.

Five years ago, two important events occurred. The UN Security Council adopted resolution 1325, demanding that member states increase the representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict.

And the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution on the participation of women in peaceful conflict resolution, demanding that member states include at least 40% women in all reconciliation, peace-keeping, peace-enforcement, peace-building and conflict preventive posts – including fact-finding and observer missions.

Click here to visit Open Democracy for the article in full.

Girls Win Di Awards for Conflict Resolution
Greenock Telegraph Online
Mon, 17 Oct, 2005

TWO Greenock High School girls have won coveted Princess Diana memorial awards.

Kayleigh Guiller and Keirene Ashford, both 17, will collect their certificates later.

The sixth year students were nominated by head teacher Cathie Sorensen for their work with Inverclyde Peace Initiative.

The girls gave up their spare time to help youngsters deal with conflict problems.

Click here to visit the Greenock Telegraph Online for the full story

Radio Show: The Encompass Trust

Encompass promotes understanding and tolerance among young people of different backgrounds, faiths and cultures by means of challenging adventure programs.

Richard Uridge of Radio Four set off on an Outward Bound course around Loch Eil in Scotland - but this one was a little different to the usual set of challenging activities: it aimed to show how the rural landscape of Scotland can facilitate international tolerance and understanding.

Copy from BBC Radio Four:

"Organised by the Encompass Trust, the participants come from trouble spots around the world, and it's hoped that by bringing young people together everyone will gain a valuable insight into previously unknown cultures and beliefs.

The Trust was established shortly after the Bali Bombings of October 2002 in the memory of Dan Braden, one of the many victims. Determined that something positive should come from such a senseless outrage, Dan's family and long-term partner set-up Encompass to provide a forum to promote tolerance and understanding amongst people of different backgrounds, cultures and faiths. Encompass works entirely with young people between the ages of 18 and 23.

Josh Cass, International Coordinator for Encompass, says the aim of the courses they run is to send back motivated young people with a broader view of the world into their own communities to influence others in a positive way. On this course, there are participants from Israel and Palestine, from Indonsia, from America and from the UK - picked from a range of faiths and cultures.

With the anniversary of 9/11 just behind us, and the London bombings all too fresh in our minds, Richard joins in activities like sailing and abseiling, and talks to the young people who're finding their views changing as the week goes on."

To listen to the show on BBC Radio Four, please click here.

Conflict resolution pair wins Nobel economics prize
The Guardian
Donald MacLeod
Monday October 10, 2005

In a decision linking the 2005 Nobel prize for economics with the founder's commitment to peace, two academics have been chosen as the winners for their work on game theory which examined conflict between nations, individuals and companies.

Countdown begins to the largest series of anti- racism activities in Europe

For ten days in October the biggest names in football will come together with fans, their clubs, ethnic minority communities and more than 1 million amateur footballers to send out a united message against racism and in celebration of diversity in the game.
 
The national anti- racism week of action, organised by football’s anti- racism campaign Kick It Out, will take place between the 13th and 25th October.  
 
The week of action is the symbolic focus of anti- racism campaigning in the game and will see the largest series of anti- racism activities ever staged in Europe.

Events will include:
 
•   All 92 professional clubs will hold an anti- racism day at a
home game over the two weekends.
 
•   Leading players giving their views on racism and diversity in
the game.
 
•   Exhibitions, competitions and youth activities exploring the
history of black footballers and Ramadan at libraries,  schools and in
community centres.
 
•   A national Schools competition exploring the theme of ‘Unity
Through Football’.
 
The week of action this year will again coincide with Black History Month and Ramadan, enabling opportunities to celebrate these important periods.
 
Lord Herman Ouseley, Chairman of Kick It Out, today commented,
 
“Less than twelve months ago England’s finest black players were racially abused at the Bernabeu in Madrid in front of millions watching on television. The response from the nation was a unified call for action.
 
“Given that these scenes were once common place in England we felt that this response was one to be proud of and signalled how initiatives such as the Week of Action are essential in continually underlining our opposition to racism and inequality.
 
“Between the 13 – 25 October we call on everyone touched by the game to continue the call for action against racism and to celebrate the contribution ethnic minorities have made to the game.”

More details: www.kickitout.org

Integration: The Big Issue

Perhaps the biggest issue on the race-relations agenda over the last month has been integration. Below there is a collection of articles from a variety of perspectives on integration.

(All external links)

Black Information Link:

Ghetto not so fabulous
September 19: by Karen Chouhan: PUBLIC DEBATE on 'integration' must involve, not blame, Black communities argues Karen Chouhan. So Britain’s inner cities are sliding into New Orleans-style ghettos? Well, actually the racial divide issue has been festering for decades.

The Guardian:

Why Trevor is wrong about race ghettos
September 25: Equality chief Trevor Phillips was wrong when he claimed our cities are divided by racial groups, says population expert Prof Danny Dorling. The real threat is the growing divide between rich and poor.

Enter racial divide, centre stage
September 25, Will Hutton: It's easy to detect the faultlines of the new Britain, harder to see who is to blame.

Ghettoes in English cities 'almost equal to Chicago'
September 23: Trend towards 'competing ethnic fiefdoms'
·Younger generation of Britons more exclusive

Clarke sets up commission to overcome barriers to integration
September 22: An official "commission on integration", involving all faith groups, is to be set up following the warning earlier this week from the racial equality chief Trevor Phillips that some parts of Britain are turning into "fully fledged ghettos".

Britain 'sleepwalking to segregation'
September 19: US-style ghetto segregation in Britain "could be getting worse", the former head of the Commission for Racial Equality, Lord Ousley, said today.

The Independent:

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: Trevor Phillips's pessimism is unfounded
26 September 2005: I have been thinking and reading extensively about race and racism, terrorism, inter-ethnic tensions, white flight, integration and multiculturalism since Trevor Phillips flooded the nation with apocalyptic warnings. Katrina still in our mi...
(Subscribers only)

Naseem Khan: We should celebrate diversity, not suppress it
23 September 2005: My experiences have challenged the usefulness of integration from above It sounds so simple, incontrovertible even. Britain, it is argued in the wake of the London bombings, is increasingly turning into a fragmented society. The major culpr...
(Subscribers only)

Ethnic minority 'ghettos' to be investigated
22 September 2005: By Nigel Morris, Home Affairs Correspondent A year-long investigation into the alienation and prejudice suffered by young people from ethnic minorities has been ordered by the Government. Ministers believe the kind of extremism that led to t...
(Subscribers only)

Britain 'is sleepwalking into New Orleans-style segregation'
19 September 2005: By Colin Brown and Terri Judd Harriet Harman, the Constitutional Affairs minister, warned yesterday that some of Britain's black and poor communities were sinking into the same underclass exposed in the United States by Hurricane Katrina.
(Subscribers only)

The Times:

How deep is Britain's racial divide?
22 September 2005: The Home Secretary Charles Clarke has unveiled plans for a 'commission on integration' after warnings from race watchdog Trevor Phillips that parts of Britain are 'sleepwalking toward apartheid'. Are we facing a race crisis? What more should be done to integrate ethnic groups?

United against racism at Toxteth festival
Liverpool Daily Post
Deborah James
Sep 5 2005

THE uncle of murdered black teenager Anthony Walker called for a "centre of enlightenment" to be set up in Liverpool yesterday, as he took to the stage at an emotional anti-racism festival held in his nephew's honour.

Thousands of people of all races and creeds applauded as Shiloh Binns called for people to fight prejudice in their communities, during a rousing reggae set from his band, Jahdeeanko, which re-formed for the Unity Festival.

Click here for the story in full
(External Link)

Breaking Barriers in Burnley Present Polarised

To order a copy of Polarised, please send:

• A donation of between £10 and £20 (Cheques made payable to Breaking Barriers in Burnley);
• A stamped addressed envelope;

to the following address:

Breaking Barriers in Burnley
Burnley Youth Theatre
Queens Park Road
Burnley
BB10 3LB

To read more about Breaking Barriers in Burnley, please click here.

Have you seen Polarised?

On 23 April 2005, Mi Gao Huang Chen, a Chinese takeaway owner was brutally murdered in a race attack by a gang of 22 youths in Wigan.  This tragedy was the culmination of a long period of racial harassment suffered by Mi Gao which the police failed to take seriously until it was too late.

The police have charged six white youths with murder. Unbelieveably, they have also charged Mi Gao's partner, Eileen Jia, for daring to defend herself while attmpting to save her partner.

Min Quan is appealing for the DPP to drop all charges against her.

Support Eileen by signing our online petition letter asking for the charges to be dropped. Min Quan will then deliver this letter with your signatures to the DPP.

To sign the Takeaway Racism ePetition, click here. (External Site)
To read more about Min Quan please click here.

CrisisWatch N°25
CrisisWatch (External site)
1 September 2005

Eleven conflict situations around the world deteriorated in August 2005, according to the new issue of CrisisWatch released today.

For a complete round up of developments in conflict situations around the world, over the last month, please click here.

Derry parades mediator is to step down
Belfast Telegraph (External site)
Tuesday 30th August 2005
Clare Weir

The man who spearheaded groundbreaking parades talks between loyal orders and residents groups in Londonderry is to step down from his mediating role after ten years.

Leading north west businessman Garvan O'Doherty chaired the first ever discussions between the Apprentice Boys of Derry and the Bogside Residents Group in the mid 1990s.

The hotelier was spurred into action by the violent scenes which had routinely followed Apprentice Boys parades in the city.

To read the full article, please click here. (External Site)

Vicar asks satanic vandals in for coffee
IC South London
Friday, 26th August 2005
Katie Archer

Teenage vandals who scrawled satanic carvings in a Sutton churchyard have been forgiven by the vicar, who instead of reporting them to police invited them in for coffee. The gang have caused problems with their littering, noise and scattering of broken glass, particularly late at night. But things came to a head last week with the scrawling of the satanic signs. Rev Sarah Goacher said: "At first I was offended, annoyed and frustrated.” Ironically, Ms Goacher was giving a sermon on Sunday about conflict resolution when some of the youths asked if they could come inside and listen to the service. The vicar then invited them to stay behind for coffee and she now hopes the chat they had may be the first step to resolving their own conflict.

Click here for the full story.

Analysis: Practice - Can youth work drown out call of extremism?
Young People Now (External Link)
03/08/05
Emily Rogers

Youth workers in Leeds are waking up to the fact that extremism is growing among young people in the city. Emily Rogers looks at what can be done.

"We pledge to work with you and your families, to look to the future and to help our communities grow harmoniously together."

These words were among numerous statements issued by Leeds City Council following the news that the city had been home to two of the four London suicide bombers of 7 July.

Click here for the artcile in full (External link).

I Power I Anti-Bullying Conference for Young People

Brief Press Report

On Monday 18th July 2005, over 300 young delegates from around the country attended Actionwork’s second annual I Power I Anti–Bullying Conference for Young People and voted unanimously on a petition calling for parliament to ‘provide intensive anti-bullying training for all new teachers as part of their teacher training, and to existing teachers through intensive short programmes.’

The conference was organised by Actionwork in partnership with a unique young management group, the ‘I Power I Crew’, making it truly an event for young people by young people, along with Stoke Newington School and Project Wolf.

Special guest speakers/performers included:

• Beverley Hughes (Minister for Children, Young People and Families)
• Lyrickal (Rapper, vocalist, beatboxer)
• Nobsta Nutts (Welsh Rapper and Glastonbury performer)
• Lhamea Lall (Teenage award winning singer)
• Ian Whybrow (Children’s Author, over 100 books published)
• Dr Sue Jennings (Pioneer of Dramatherapy with over 25 books published)
• Vanessa Cooper (Head of Anti-Bullying Alliance)
• Dr Lance Kwesi Lewis (Ex World Karate Champion)

The Damilola Taylor Young Achiever of the Year Award winners were: Lhamea Lall from Birmingham and Jamal Msebele from London (bottom left).

Each received a cheque for £300, a silver trophy and framed certificate. Both winners have overcome extreme bullying and gone on to achieve great things in their lives.

Where you there?

NORTHERN IRELAND

Where do you begin? The IRA has formally ordered an end to its armed campaign and says it will pursue exclusively peaceful means. There are hundreds of news stories to choose from on the Internet- here are three but at CRN:UK we want to know what you find interesting. Post any stories you think are interesting or offer a particular insight in the discussion forum under the heading 'An End to the Armed Campaign':

Demilitarisation begins as IRA statement sinks in
4NI Northern Ireland on the Internet
29 July 2005

After 35 years of bombs and blood a quiet voice ends the IRA's war
The Guardian
July 29 2005
Angelique Chrisafis, Ireland correspondent

Viewpoint: Only actions will show if history is being made
Belfast Telegraph
29 July 2005

Daimhohk dance class
Willesden and Brent Times
27 July 2005

Youngsters from Queen's Park had the chance of a sneak preview of a dance company who were appearing at the Royal Opera House.

The Daimohk dancers, from Chechnya, performed at the Beethoven Community Centre after giving workshops for schoolchildren and residents.

The dance group, who are themselves aged between eight and 18, was formed in Chechnya during a lapse in the civil wars, and conflict resolution is an important part of its performance aims.

Click here for the original story.

Protester takes tax fight to High Court
East Anglian Daily Times
25 July 2005
Juliette Maxam

An article regarding a peace protestor and six other conscientious objectors' battle in the High Court to establish the right to pay taxes without contributing to the military.

Click here for the story in full.

Mother whose cry touched hearts around the world

Articles regarding Marie Fatayi-Williams, the loss of her son during the bombings of the London transport system and her reaction to it, including the Anthony Fatayi-Williams Foundation for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

[All external sites]

Straight from the heart
The Guardian
July 13, 2005

Mother whose cry touched hearts around the world
The Times
24 July 2005
Stuart Wavell

Victim's mother renews call for end to violence at Westminster funeral
The Telegraph
24 July 2005
Adam Lusher

Mother is beacon of light
The Good News
24 July 2005

Schools let down pupils with mental problems, says Ofsted
The Telegraph (External Link)
John Clare, Education Editor
22 July 2005

One pupil in 10 has "clinically defined mental health difficulties" but most schools do not know it or do anything about it, Ofsted said yesterday.

Most secondary schools exacerbated the problem by having behaviour policies that "created stress or tensions for pupils", the inspectors said.

The minority of schools that did promote their pupils' "emotional health and well being" valued and respected every individual.

They provided a caring and supportive ethos, developed pupils' self-esteem, listened carefully to pupils' views, taught anger management and conflict resolution and made sure that pupils were not bullied and had friends to play with at breaktime.

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Philip Stephens: No quick fixes
ft.com Financial Times (External Link)
July 7 2005
Philip Stephens

An interesting and balanced response to the bombings of the London transport systems, advocating, "nation-building, mediation, conflict resolution, sustained aid flows, political courage and a willingness, sometimes, to compromise. It means sacrificing what may seem like today’s strategic and commercial interests to tomorrow’s imperatives – the spread of freedom and democracy among them."

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Israelis, Arabs See Groundbreaking Film
The Guardian (External Site)
Sunday July 3, 2005 12:31 AM
Steve Weizman

In a groundbreaking cooperative venture, Israeli and Arab TV stations on Saturday simultaneously broadcast the first part of a documentary exploring possible solutions to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Program's producer Search for Common Ground, a conflict resolution foundation, hopes that by presenting the dispute in graphic human terms and focusing on the need for territorial compromise by both sides, then the series could have a greater impact than previous documentaries, which centered on the conflict's history.

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157 South Asian women nominated for Nobel Prize
OneWorld.net (External Site)
01/07/05

The names of a thousand women from over 150 countries including 157 women from South Asia, who have been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize, were announced on June 29, 2005.

For over two years, a global group of women under the ‘1000 Women for Peace’ project, has been working to identify women working for peace in different parts of the world. They have submitted the names to the Nobel Committee in Oslo in February, 2005.

To read this article in full, please click here.
For more information: www.1000peacewomen.org