
Hey everyone!
At Comhairle na nÓg, making sure everyone feels safe and heard is super important to us. Our values shine through everything we do, and when new members join, they agree to our inclusivity pledge below. This is where they acknowledge that they have rights and responsibilities as a member.
We all review this pledge every year to make sure our voices are heard in shaping the values our group stands for.
As part of our bigger efforts, we’ve also come up with an Anti-Racism Policy that we all follow here at Comhairle. Scroll down to read our Inclusivity Pledge and our Anti-Racism Policy.
Cork City Comhairle na nÓg Inclusivity Pledge
- I pledge to learn more through listening and hearing experiences of discrimination including racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia and ableism
- I pledge to always consider how my actions could impact others
As a member of Cork city Comhairle na nÓg I have the right to:
- Be treated with respect and dignity
- Be included as a member regardless of my race, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability
- Be involved in deciding Cork city Comhairle na nÓg goals
- Be given all the information I need about Cork city Comhairle na nÓg
- Give feedback that might help improve any aspect of Cork city Comhairle na nÓg
As a member of Cork city Comhairle na nÓg I have a responsibility to:
- Treat other members of Cork city Comhairle na nÓg with dignity and respect
- Not harm others in Cork city Comhairle na nÓg
- Let staff know if there is a part of Cork city Comhairle na nÓg that I do not understand or am unhappy with
Anti Racism Policy Developed by Comhairle na nÓg Members
Aims of this policy:
- To reduce the number of racist incidents and increase awareness on what a racist incident is.
- Create a safe space for young people
- Prevent future racist incidents
- Encourage an understanding of how our actions affects others
- Stifle racist ideologies
- Generate empathy in others to celebrate their own differences
- Encourage the confidence to stand up to racism
Definition of Racism
Prejudice, discrimination or antagonism by an individual, community or institution against a person or people on the basis of their membership of a particular racial/ethnic group, typically one that is a minority or marginalised.
The UN describes racism as: Any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent or national ethnic origin.
How will Cork City Comhairle na nÓg embed this policy in our work?
- Comhairle will integrate anti-racism training annually into our work for staff and group members
- We will call for other organisations we work with to also adopt an anti-racism policy / code of practice if they do not have one.
Clear examples of racist behaviour
- Use of racist slurs towards minority groups
- Random acts of violence towards minority groups
- Racially charged hateful comments under the guise of a joke
- Micro-aggressions towards a minority group (this includes indirect, subtle or unintentional racism)
- Stereotyping people on the basis of race
- Propaganda with the aim of discrimination
- Refraining from associating with others due to their race