Building Peace - Tackling Racism


- Building Peace in Diverse Britain - 7th May 2011, Huddersfield

Some relevant links
These links (listed alphabetically) are provided as pointers to websites related to our area of work on this theme. We are not responsible for the content of the sites, but hope they will be of interest and relevance.

We would welcome suggestions for additional sites to be included.  
Contact us at: nfpb @ gn. apc.org

NEW: DVD and study booklet from NFPB


Aik Saath - Together As One (Slough)
" ... dedicated to the promotion of peace and harmony through the teaching of conflict resolution skills in Slough and the surrounding areas"

The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP)
organises workshops for people from all walks of life who want to handle conflict well. 

Anti-racist Toolkit
constructed as part of a HEFCE funded Innovations project looking at the question of Institutional Racism in Higher Education, using the University of Leeds as its case study

Asylum Aid
works to secure protection for people seeking refuge in the United Kingdom from persecution and human rights abuses abroad.

Black Information Link
" ... the formal mouthpiece and news portal run by The 1990 Trust that aims to give a voice to Black’s, Asians and Minority Ethnic communities."

Black UK Online
set up to provide a unique blend of local, national, and international news, lifestyle, views, reviews, profiles and entertainment.  Our main objective is to widen thought-provoking editorial beyond the black experience and to reflect more fully, the multicultural Britain that we live in today.

Bolton Interfaith Council 
consists of representatives from all major faith communities in Bolton

Bolton Racial Equality Council
boltonrec@boltonrec.org.uk – 01204 331002

British Institute of Human Rights
Aims to bring human rights to life by producing and shaping human rights tools, public policy and practices that empower people to improve their own lives and the lives of others.

Building Bridges Pendle
An Interfaith organisation and a registered charity in Pendle, Lancashire, which wants to bring a realisation that diversity, is a positive aspect in the make-up of our society.   01282 719303    office@buildingbridgespendle.com

Carnegie UK Trust Inquiry into the future of Civil Society
In 2007, the Inquiry explored the possible future threats to and opportunities for a healthy civil society, looking out to 2025.
The Inquiry futures reports document the findings of this work.  Drawing on the findings of the Inquiry's futures work, the Inquiry is currently exploring a number of 'burning issues' in more depth.
 
Church Action on Poverty
Works with churches in the UK to make poverty a priority. Includes campaigns, news and resources.

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland interfaith pages  
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland provides an ‘ecumenical space' in which these and other issues can be explored and reflected upon.

The Citizen Organising Foundation (COF)
a registered charity whose mission is to create a network of competent, informed and organised citizens who act responsibly in the public life of their communities and are able to influence, for the common good, decisions which impact on their communities

Citizens for Sanctuary
a CITIZEN Organising Foundation campaign to secure justice for people fleeing persecution and rebuild public support for sanctuary.

City of Sanctuary
a movement to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

CohesionBradford
cohesionbradford.org is a website managed by Education Bradford’s Diversity and Cohesion Service, for all those interested in community cohesion in the Bradford Metropolitan District and beyond. 


Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG)
sets policy on local government, housing, urban regeneration, planning and fire and rescue and has responsibility for all race equality and community cohesion related issues in England

Department of Peace Studies
at the University of Bradford

Directory of Participatory Practices (from NCDD's Learning Exchange)
A place to find new ideas or clarify your understanding of a variety of methods.  Participatory Practices are approaches in which people participate in conversation, dialogue, deliberation, reflection, organization development, community renewal, collective intelligence, etc.

Diversity and Dialogue (Save the Children)
aims to build trust, address stereotypes and promote community cohesion between young people from diverse backgrounds throughout the UK through dialogue and social action programmes about controversial and timely issues.

Ekklesia
Independent, not-for-profit think-tank which examines the role of religion in public life and advocates transformative theological ideas and solutions.  Race and identity are one of their policy areas and items on this are listed here:

Equality and Human Rights Commission
The commission is working to eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to participate in society.

European Network Against Racism
an EU-wide network of more than 600 organisations working to combat racism in all the EU member states and acts as the voice of the anti-racist movement in Europe 

Faith Literacy UK
Over three-quarters of the UK population describe themselves as belonging to one of the main world religions.   Faith Literacy UK provides an opportunity to explore each of them within a comfortable and informal atmosphere.

The Festival Shop
writes and publishes multifaith, multicultural and citizenship materials which we combine with the best resources we can find from around the world.

HOPE not hate
HOPE not hate was set up to counter racism and fascism in elections and beyond.

Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society
Launched in January 2005, the Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society strategy sets out the Government's commitment to create strong, cohesive communities in which every individual, whatever their racial or ethnic origin, is able to fulfil his or her potential through the enjoyment of equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities.

Institute of Community Cohesion
... work focuses on building positive and harmonious community relations, using applied research to constantly develop practice and to build capacity of all the agencies and individuals involved.

Institute of Race Relations
" ...at the cutting edge of the research and analysis that inform the struggle for racial justice in Britain, Europe and internationally. It seeks to reflect the experiences of those who suffer racial oppression and draws its perspectives from the most vulnerable in society. "

Interfaith Alliance UK
"a family of people united in friendship, from diverse progressive and liberal faith communities, working together to promote the love of the One Same God, witnessed in social justice and parity of esteem for all God's children, regardless of race, gender, creed, disability, orientation, social or economic status."

Inter-Faith Council for Wales
... aims to help build a culture of mutual understanding and respect between the different faith communities living in Wales, and to raise public awareness of what makes each religious tradition different and of what unites them.

InterFaith Network for the UK
founded in 1987 to promote good relations between people of different faiths in this country.  Works with its member bodies to help make the UK a place marked by mutual understanding and respect between religions where all can practise their faith with integrity.

Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
an independent, progressive organisation committed to funding radical change towards a better world.  The JRCT makes grants to individuals and to projects seeking the creation of a peaceful world, political equality and social justice.

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
an independent national voluntary organisation, campaigning for justice and combating racism in immigration and asylum law and policy.

JUST – West Yorkshire
Aims to work strategically with individuals and organisations that reflect all areas and sections of society in West Yorkshire in order to promote Racial Justice and achieve greater race equality and to play a positive role in addressing Racial Justice issues to achieve outcomes and long-term impact.

Kick it Out
Football's equality and inclusion campaign.   Kick It Out works throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change.

Lancashire Council of Mosques

Learnpeace
"The value that underpins this site is the belief that nonviolence is better than violence; that building a culture of peace should be a priority and a part of this process is both to question and to challenge our easy acquiescence in a culture of violence."

Love Music Hate Racism
" ... uses the positive energy of the music scene to fight back against the racism being pushed by Nazi organisations like the BNP."

M.A.D. for Peace
exists to promote universal positive change through the single actions of each and every one of us!  Our mission is to leave a lasting impression, a lasting footprint wherever we go!  Inspired by the experiences of Gill Hicks, survivor of the London tube bombing at Russell Square

Mediation Northern Ireland
Our vision is of a peaceful society where conflict is handled well and there are good relations between citizens and across communities  .  Our Mission Statement ... To contribute to peace and stability by developing the practice of mediation and associated disciplines.

Multicultural Matters 
titles  aimed at all equal opportunity and diversity professionals communicating with or targeting individual communities within the UK

National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns
"Bringing Together Families and Individuals Fighting Deportation"

National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI)
leadership-training organisation, which has been working throughout the world to create productive teams and communities through eliminating discrimination, raising awareness and mutual respect and teaching practical skills to this end

National (US) Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation
online hub for those dedicated to solving tough problems with honest talk, quality thinking and collaborative action, including lots of valuable resources and ideas in their 'Learning Exchange' section

Newham Monitoring Project
an independent community-based anti-racist organisation based in the east London borough of Newham in England.

Newcastle Conflict Resolution Network
aims : to help prevent, reduce and resolve actual or potential destructive conflict;  to support  those involved in doing so;  … and to make a difference

One Scotland
the Scottish Government's anti-racism campaign is designed to tackle racism in this country.

Peace Direct
We fund, promote and learn from local peacebuilders in conflict areas. 

Peacemaker (Oldham)
The young men who formed PeaceMaker had a simple aim: to create opportunities for young people to meet and befriend other people from different communities and ethnicities.

Programme for a Peaceful City
a network of academics and practitioners who share thinking, research and ideas about how people participate and interact together in Bradford District and beyond. The PPC aims to work with partner organisations to develop shared discussion spaces and support critical reflection. We aim to develop thinking and practice on how to facilitate honest encounters challenging ourselves to hear 'the other'.

Refugee Action
an independent national charity that works with refugees to build new lives in the UK.

Refugee Council
" ...the largest organisation in the UK working with asylum seekers and refugees. We not only give direct help and support, but also work with asylum seekers and refugees to ensure their needs and concerns are addressed."http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/>

Rewind Anti-Racism (Dudley)
REWIND's anti-racism work is based on exposing the myths that have been created around issues of 'race'and racisms using factual and practical evidence to expose these myths

Runnymede Trust
"Our mandate is to promote a successful multi-ethnic Britain - a Britain where citizens and communities feel valued, enjoy equal opportunities to develop their talents, lead fulfilling lives and accept collective responsibility, all in the spirit of civic friendship, shared identity and a common sense of belonging. "

St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace    
Has as its mission: "To inspire and equip people to practice reconciliation and peace-making in their own communities and lives.", focusing on hospitality, diversity, conversation, responsibility and spirituality

Scottish Inter Faith Council
The aim of the Scottish Inter Faith Council is to raise awareness of the different faith communities and to build good relations between persons of different religious faiths through dialogue, understanding and co-operation.

Scottish Mediation Network
site to help you to find out more about the different kinds of mediation available to you, and to help you find mediation services throughout Scotland.

Searchlight
Searchlight opposes racism and fascism in Britain and abroad. It was founded in 1962 and now has three components: Searchlight magazine, Searchlight Educational Trust and Searchlight Information Services.

Show Racism the Red Card
the campaign that uses top footballers to educate against racism.

The Spectrum
A guide to building inter-religious relationships, from St Elthelburga's
Centre for Reconciliation and Peace

Stop Hate UK
Raises awareness of Hate Crime, supports individuals, young people and
communities affected by Hate Crime, runs a 24-hour helpline, provides training and consultancy about equality,diversity and Hate Crime for adults and young people, works in partnership with agencies across the United Kingdom.

Stop the War Coalition

Thinkers Forum (Bolton)
Thinkers Forum is working to resolve social, economic, educational and political problems for which short-medium and long terms solutions need to be found within their communities through collective action and developing pro-active policies. 

Together for Peace (Leeds)
Together for Peace (T4P) is a Leeds-based NGO enabling a wide network of people to work creatively and cooperatively to tackle diverse peace, conflict and justice issues.

Turning the Tide
a programme of Quaker Peace and Social Witness (QPSW). QPSW works with and on behalf of the Religious Society of Friends in Britain to translate our faith into action. We work with Quakers and nonviolent activist groups to advance the understanding of active nonviolence and its use for positive social change.

Unite Against Fascism (UAF)
national campaign with the aim of alerting British society to the rising threat of the extreme right

United Religions Initiative
The purpose of the United Religions Initiative is to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, to end religiously motivated violence and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living things…

Who Do We Think We Are?
The Who Do We Think We Are? educational programme engages primary and secondary school teachers in the exploration of identity, diversity and citizenship with children and young people - in their schools, local communities and nationally.


Some useful publications

Bringing It Home: community-based approaches to counter-terrorism  Rachel Briggs & others - Demos December 2006
http://www.demos.co.uk/publications/bringingithome

Making Terrorism History - Scilla Elworthy & Gabrielle Rifkind     Rider & Co. - February 2006

The Moral Imagination: the art and soul of building peace - John Paul Lederach    Oxford University Press - 2005

The Rules Of The Game: terrorism, community & human rights -  Andrew Blick & others - Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust   - January 2007
http://www.jrrt.org.uk/Rules_of_the_Game_Briefing07.pdf