Equality & Intercultural
We support you to embed equality, inclusion, diversity and interculturalism in your youth work setting
We provide a unique and innovative suite of training programmes, resources, policy development, advice, and networking opportunities. We have carried out research to support youth work organisations to engage more effectively with young people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
Central to our work is hearing the voice of young people furthest from the mainstream. NYCI members are invited to join our Equality and Inclusion Support Network
Our equality and intercultural support includes:
- Delivery of an extensive training programme
- Development and dissemination of resources to support youth groups
- Outreach to develop networks and collect good practice
- Collecting a picture of inclusive youth work regionally and nationally through evidence-based research
- Providing this website with resources, publications, and advice
Trainings
Inclusive Youth Work – Social Justice as a Core Principle E-Learning Course
This e-learning introduces youth workers and volunteers to key aspects of social justice and explains how it is a core principle of inclusive youth work.
Introduction to Transformative and Compassionate Practice in Youth Work e-learning course
This e-learning introduces youth workers and volunteers to a way of working with young people who cause harm or hate through hateful language and actions to those from (or perceived to be from) minority or marginalised identities.
Delivery of an extensive in-person training programme supporting inclusive youth work
Resources
Transforming Hate in Youth Settings Manual and Beyond Hate Activity Pack
This manual outlines an innovative new approach on how to transform hate in youth work settings. A companion to the manual is Beyond Hate, an activity resource for youth workers to use with young people to transform hate in youth work settings.
Access All Areas
This resource is essential for anyone working with young people and invites organisations to examine how they engage with youth from minority or marginalised groups.
8 Steps to Inclusive Youth Work
Broken up into 8 easy-to-follow steps, this resource is designed to help you work towards best quality inclusive practice in youth work settings, and it links directly to your reporting processes.
Inclusive practice bite-sized learning
Here you can find short educational resources supporting your inclusive youth work practice.
Projects and Initiatives
Working with young people in International Protection
In this section you can access information about our current work supporting the sector on working with young refugees and young people in International Protection. Currently we are running a network for those working with young people in IP. We have also developed a map designed to support young asylum seekers and refugees to link in to youth work activities in their area. It is developed in correspondence with the county based leaflets.
Racial Justice
In this section you can access information about our Programme’s work on Racial Justice. We have developed a Racial Justice training for youth workers that is periodically delivered on demand- youth workers can register their interest individually.
Our Networks
As part of our outreach work and capacity building we have created several specialist networks to respond to the needs emerging in the sector, to share and collect good practice.
Research and Advocacy
Here you can read our research reports, position papers and submissions.
News
Managing difficult conversations during Christmas break
Christmas break can be a time where we come together with extended family and community. It can feel overwhelming when people start conversations about people seeking […]
Survey – Working with young people in the International Protection System
The advocacy voice for young asylum seekers isn’t as strong as it should be, and for this reason we are pushing for more resources and focus on youth in IPAS accommodation but we need more data. Can you please take our survey?
We’re hiring: Equality and Inclusion Project Officer
The Equality & Intercultural Programme wishes to recruit a full-time Equality and Intercultural Project Officer.
Deadline to apply: 12pm Tuesday 12th August 2024.
FAQ
Equality is the notion that everybody is of equal value and deserves equal respect, dignity and opportunity. Equality is not always about treating everyone the same – it is about treating people in such a way that the outcome for each person can be the same. Equality of outcome can be achieved by making sure that everyone is supported to have access to resources and decision making and to be recognised, valued and respected.
Want to learn more about equality in youth settings? Check our resources: Access All Areas and 8 Steps to Inclusive Youth Work
An inclusive youth group is where a young person will feel welcome, secure and comfortable and that they can celebrate their identity especially those aspects of their identity that make them different from others such as their culture or ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, gender, health including mental health, education, parental status, involvement in juvenile justice, being a young carer etc.
Inclusion is identifying, understanding and removing barriers that exist to ensure participation and belonging. It focuses on allocating resources to achieve equality of outcome for all. Inclusive youth work is responsive to the needs of all young people. It involves:
- Openness and dialogue
- A willingness to change
- A commitment to equality
Want to learn more about inclusive youth work? Check our resources: Let’s Act on Inclusion – A Video Series and 8 Steps to Inclusive Youth Work
Any action, practice, policy, law, speech, or incident which has the effect (whether intentional or not) of undermining anyone’s enjoyment of their human rights, based on their actual or perceived ethnic or national origin or background, where that background is that of a marginalised or historically subordinated group. Racism carries connotations of violence because the dehumanisation of ethnic groups has been historically enforced through violence (Irish Network Against Racism)
The United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) defines racism as: ‘Any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.’
Want to learn more about impacts of racism and how to tackle hate in youth settings? Check our resources: Transforming Hate manual and Beyond Hate activity pack
If you have a question, concern, request or comment please email Anne Walsh at anne@nyci.ie
The Scheme to Support National Organisations is funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Rural and Community Development
What is social justice?
Social justice is a political and philosophical concept which holds that all people should have equal access to wealth, health, well-being, justice, and opportunity. Social justice has five main principles: Access, Equity, Rights, Participation, Diversity.
Want to learn more about social justice? Enrol into our short e-learning module: Inclusive Youth Work – Social Justice as a Core Principle E-Learning Course