Looking Forward Not Back project due to report in March on its bid to end religious hatred

Six research projects across Scotland are working out how youth work can help eradicate sectarianism.

Members of groups from across the country told the recent Looking Forward Not Back national conference in Stirling that so far over 70 young people have engaged with 1400 community members using hard hitting short films, games, campaigning in local supermarkets, workshops in schools, partnerships with radio stations.

Researchers from YouthLink Scotland has been examining youth work's effectiveness in tackling sectarianism.

They are not due to report back until March but Jim Sweeney, chief executive of YouthLink Scotland, has already welcomed the research programme.

He said: “Youth work connects with young people in a more relaxed and individual approach, this approach has proved really successful in tackling youth unemployment, bullying, mental health and right across the spectrum of young people’s issues.

Youth work has a vital role to play in helping to rid us of sectarian behaviour

“Youth work has a vital role to play in helping to rid us of sectarian behaviour and this research being done by the young people themselves will help shape how we continue to play our part in this issue.”

Looking Forward Not Back is funded by the Scottish Government’s Community Safety Unit and administered by YouthLink Scotland.

Paul Wheelhouse MSP, minister for community safety, said: “I strongly believe that communities need to be at the heart of all of our work to tackle sectarianism.

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government has been able to support Youthlink’s Looking Forward Not Back Project, which has examined youth-work’s effectiveness in tackling sectarianism.”

The findings will be externally verified by the University of Dundee.