Anti-racism activities
All Our Children works to against racism, discrimination and hate speech in Finnish society. Our aim is to promote the well-being of children, to protect children and young people from racism and support those who have been affected by it.
The aim of our anti-racist education work is to provide children as well as professionals working with children with tools to identify, prevent and address racism. We do anti-racism advocacy through children’s workshops, educational materials, training, speeches, events and communication.
All children see, experience and reproduce racism already at a young age. Therefore, it is crucial to talk about it openly with them and to teach them how racism stems from false and unfair principles. Children need to be given tools to combat racism and taught about the importance of treating all people in a fair and equal manner.
For adults, anti-racism begins with recognizing and acknowledging racism, as well as our own prejudices, privileges and attitudes. It requires constant self-reflection and learning new things, as well as learning to put oneself in another person’s shoes.
An anti-racist approach means being proactive. Standing up against racism is not a heroic act; rather, it is everyone’s duty. We encourage courageous and open debate, with room for listening, disagreement and apology.
Be Brave and Fair -workshops
We encourage children and youth to have courage, to be fair and to promote a culture of caring. We offer the Be Brave and Fair workshops for children in early childhood education and first two grades of primary education. The aim of these workshops is to promote understanding, develop an appreciation for diversity, and to strengthen the skills of caring and intervention through art and action-based methods and facilitated discussions. The tools used in of Be Brave and Fair Workshops are art and action based methods, such as creative movement, fine arts, applied theatre and drama, and facilitated discussions.
The Play and Movement Workshop
The Play and Movement workshop is for 4–6- year-olds. The workshop is built around a story of a black and white parrot and a colourful zebra. Both main characters differ from their herd or flock by the colour of their fur and feathers, and they become friends with each other after they are ostracized by their own group. Together, they try to come up with solutions to their challenging situation.
The play aspect is integrated with the fairytale to help children put themselves in another person’s position, and thus help them shape their attitudes and perceptions more openly.
The Drama Workshop
The Drama Workshop is for children 6–9- year-olds. In the workshop, children will get to know two superheroes and will create their own superhero characters. Together, they will journey to the Mount of Power, the residents of which are shocked by wild rumours of a new, monstruous resident. On their adventure, the superheroes join forces and discover that the rumours of a new resident are not true. The workshop uses a drama story to explore prejudice, consideration and friendship, and to strengthen self-esteem and classroom team spirit. The workshop lasts about 60 minutes.
For more information:
Hanna-Leena Ylönen, Coordinator, hanna-leena.ylonen@yhteisetlapsemme.fi, tel. 044 721 1255
Together without Racism
Together without Racism is an EU funded joint project of All Our Children and Life Education Finland. The project is a free-of-charge, anti-racism training for 4th to 7th graders. The training helps to form a broad understanding of racism, its manifestations, and one’s own prejudices and privileges. Participatory lessons and workshops provide everyone involved, children and adults, with new knowledge and ways to deal with anti-racist themes.
The teaching module consists of two key activities: a remote lesson and a workshop, both held by the project worker. The tasks are participatory and motivating. Through group assignments and storytelling, the children delve into a wide range of topics related to racism and how to recognise it in everyday situations and surrounding structures.
If you are interested in a free, anti-racism training module, please contact our project coordinator.
Read more about Together without racism training.
More information: Salla Kallio, salla.kallio@yhteisetlapsemme.fi