Regional development work
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An event run collaboratively by Bradford and Shipley colleges to explore diversity
Working collaboratively, two post-16 citizenship champion projects, Bradford College and Shipley College put together a programme for a regionally-based event with a particular focus on citizenship and diversity. The event had initially been conceived as a regional conference that would:
- Inform participants of national developments in citizenship education
- Establish the importance of citizenship education
- Workshop the way issues of diversity can be examined in different educational settings
- Make participants aware of the contribution voluntary organisations can make to citizenship education.
The organisers initially considered that the conference would have three distinct parts:
- National overview of citizenship and talk by Barry Sheerman MP (Education Select Committee on Citizenship) to stress value and importance of citizenship education.
- Workshops on teaching diversity in different settings –school, colleges, youth services.
- Four voluntary organisations will showcase how they can work with young people in different organisations.
Due to proximity of the conference to the main Yorkshire and Humber regional network meeting and exceptional weather conditions and road closures close by it was subsequently decided that a networking and planning event rather than a conference would be more appropriate. The final agreed aims of the event were:
- To develop understanding of issues around the theme of cultural diversity
- To consider ways in which staff in different settings can deliver projects on diversity and identity
- To meet and establish contact with community organisations, particularly those working in areas that deal with issues of cultural diversity and which promote community cohesion.
Prior to the event emails and publicity materials were sent out through Aimhigher, Education Bradford, Connexions West Yorkshire, Connexions South Yorkshire networks as well as through individual contacts.
A broad range of organisations attended the event. Dr Santokh Gill and a colleague presented their current findings about their research project working with young men within West Bolling in Bradford. This provided some interesting insights and a number of pointers for similar community cohesion projects. It also established a potential link for those supporting young people taking on a leadership role. This was followed by a wide ranging discussion on aspects of diversity, links with active citizenship and the role of community groups as agents of cultural awareness.
Sophia Mahmood presented the project which she had been running at Bradford College on diversity and identity, looking at different methodologies. She then ran some of the activities she had used to show how issues of identity and racism could be addressed in the classroom. This provided an interesting and enjoyable session which promoted discussion or practical ways in which these sometimes sensitive issues could be delivered. She also referred to the LSN materials on citizenship and diversity she used as part of her course.
At the end of the day, Heather Crane showed a sixteen minute version of a video she had made with students from Shipley College. The subject of this was an interview with Barry Sheerman, the Chairman of the Select Committee for Education and Skills which had recently produced a report on Citizenship. Heather, with two students from the college, had gone to the House of Commons to interview Mr Sheerman about the report and other aspects of citizenship.
Participants commented that they had really enjoyed the day and that the smaller numbers had a beneficial effect insofar that it allowed for a deeper and more considered discussion.
Lead organisation: Shipley College
Contact: Heather Crane
Email: HCRANE@shipley.ac.uk
Other network member involved: Bradford College
Contact: Umit Yildiz
Email: soreshewal@hotmail.com