The conference, 'Not a Black and White Issue: Promoting Positive Attitudes to Race and Culture with Children and Young People', was organised by the Valleys Anti-Racist Initiative, a recently-formed coalition of representatives from the voluntary sector and local authorities. It highlighted practical ways of tackling the growing problem of racial abuse and bullying in south Wales, where black and Asian children are a very small minority of the population.
Mike Lewis, policy director of Children in Wales, said, 'Robust research has shown that children can put values on different skin colour from as young as two and that they can absorb information before they learn to speak. It's important that they learn from an early age.'
Delegates heard how early years settings can promote positive images of people on jigsaws, posters, and wall friezes. Workshops demonstrated how teaching techniques and group work can be creatively directed at issues relating to ethnic diversity and tolerance through storytelling, word games and drama.
Babette Brown, co-ordinator and trainer for Persona Doll Training, welcomed the conference and the coalition. She said, 'It is promising that this organisation has been established, particularly since 11 September when a lot of racism is being targeted at anybody considered to be Muslim. It's important to start educating at an early age so we are not wasting valuable time.'
