This report explores the experiences of young people taking part in programmes which aim to challenge and change racist attitudes and behaviour.
Government policies on citizenship education, community cohesion and criminal justice all seek to change young people's attitudes and behaviour to racism and towards people of other races. This report looks at five projects in Peterborough, Stafford, Tower Hamlets, a young offender's institution and in Rochdale. Each project is considered from the perspective of the young people who took part. In all over 600 young people between the ages of 11 and 21 took part in quantitative and qualitative research approaches. These projects were undertaken by the police, schools, a community group working on informal education, the probation service and two housing associations.
The context and objectives of each of the five case study projects is described, along with a brief description of the agency that delivered the project and the methods they used. The young people who took part were asked firstly about their attitudes to their own racial identity and to the people from other backgrounds who live in their town or city. Finally they were asked how they felt about the project. In the analysis, their views on the project are compared with the attitudes to race and racism they have earlier expressed. By making this comparison the report evaluates whether the project has brought about beneficial change.
The report will be of interest to practitioners working on citizenship education, social landlords and local authorities seeking to improve community cohesion, and youth and community work agencies and criminal justice agencies such as youth offending teams and the probation service working with young racially motivated offenders, or young people at risk of racially motivated offending.
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