Sunderland AFC staff and players have been undertaking training to increase their awareness and understanding around social cohesion and tackling racism and extremism.
Working with North East company Media Cultured CIC, a recent workshop at the club’s Academy of Light training base saw staff and Academy players take part in a 'Preventing Extremism’ workshop.
The club personnel discussed a range of topics, such as how people become radicalised, what to be aware of and to look out for and the collective responsibility of everyone to be aware of signs of radicalisation.Media Cultured provide workshops on Preventing Extremism are delivered under the Kick It Out Equality Inspires anti-racism programme. The workshops aim to:
- Reduce racism, anti-muslim hate (Islamophobia), anti-semitism and radicalisation
- Improve understanding, attitudes and behaviours around immigration and integration
- Demonstrate how 'shared values' can unite diverse communities
- Disrupt traditional and contemporary 'pathways to extremism'
- Understand the threat and risk of online extremism and radicalisation
- Encourage wider social harmony, tolerance and integration.
Don Peattie, head of education and welfare at Sunderland AFC’s Academy, said “We have a responsibility not just to our staff and players, but to the wider community of which we are a part.
“The promotion of inclusion and diversity is essential and as a football club at the heart of its community, we are proud to play our part in supporting activities to raise awareness of the dangers of all forms of discrimination”.