NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL

To: POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

From: CHIEF EXECUTIVE

AGENDA ITEM No, -.Zlin....

Subject: TACKLING SECTARIANISM IN SCOTLAND

REPORT

Ref: JL108 I Date: 20 May2005 I I 1.

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Purpose of Report

The purpose of this report is to advise Committee of the findings and recommendations of the ‘Summit on Sectarianism’ hosted by the First Minister and held on 14 February 2005.

Background

The Scottish Executive is committed to addressing sectarianism in all its forms across Scotland. In February of this year, the Executive held a summit, the first event of its kind, which brought together representatives from a range of sectors including: 0 education; 0 the police; 0 local authorities; 0 churches and religious organisations; 0

0 media representatives. the Scottish Football Association, individual clubs and supporters groups; and,

The aim of the summit was to recognise achievements to date, at both a national and community level, in addressing sectarianism and discuss how bigotry and religious intolerance could be tackled through co-operation, joint initiatives and understanding. During the seminar the First Minister also published the Executive’s statement and commitment to end sectarianism - ‘A Nation of Opportunity, Not a State of Fear.’ The statement is attached as Appendix One to this report and it summarises what the Executive has done over the last two years to challenge bigotry and tackle sectarianism. Council Leader, Councillor Jim McCabe represented North Lanarkshire Council at the summit.

Key Discussion Points and Recommendations

Those attending the summit expressed a clear desire to work with the Scottish Executive across a range of different areas of life and work to tackle sectarianism. It was agreed that activities and initiatives should be concentrated under the following key themes:

0 lnterfaith work; 0 Education; 0 Sports; and, 0 Marches and Parades.

Delegates made suggestions for work that could be taken forward in each of the above themes and these are detailed in the ‘Record of the Summit on Sectarianism’ which is attached as Appendix Two. The Scottish Executive is anxious to build on the enthusiasm and commitment voiced at the summit and will publish an Action Plan in August of this year setting out specific tasks with measurable outcomes. The Executive is keen to continue working in partnership with those attending the summit, together with other parties interested in tackling sectarianism.

JL/ACE/CorPol/O8/Jun 05 - Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland

5. Recommendation

The Policy and Resources Committee is requested to: i) note the Scottish Executive’s initiative to tackle sectarianism in Scotland and the

record of its summit held on 14 February 2005 and attached as Appendix Two to this report; Request the Chief Executive to write to the Scottish Executive Minister for Justice, Ms Cathy Jamieson, MSP reaffirming North Lanarkshire Council’s commitment to work in partnership with the Executive on this issue; and, Otherwise note the contents of this report.

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Chief Executive For further information on his report please contact Jennifer Lees, Senior Policy Planning Officer on extension 2442.

JL/ACE/CorPol/08/Jun 05 - Tackling Sectarianism in Scotland

Scotland is a great country, with a proud history and an exciting future.

But there are still some aspects of our national life that hold us back, not least the sectarianism which has been a shameful fact of Scottish life for generations.

In December 2002 the First Minister, Jack McConnell, signalled the government’s determination to stamp out the bigoted behaviour and attitudes that characterise sectarianism in Scotland.

When launching the report of the Cross Party Working Group on Religious Hatred he said:

Since then the government has made significant progress towards realising the First Minister’s ambitions.

Ending sectarianism will not be easy. It will take strong national leadership and, where necessary, changes to the law as well as cultural shifts.

The solutions to ridding our country of the negative effects of bigotry will not be found from one section of civic life. We need to promote mutual respect and understanding between all religions and faiths, as well as those of no faith.

Young people are the future of Scotland and we cannot betray their future by condoning or ignoring the actions and words of bigoted adults. Our education work with young people is crucial to achieving our goals.

Sadly, we continue to see unacceptable expressions of religious intolerance at our football grounds, where some supporters use different clubs' traditions as a vehicle for violence and bigoted behaviour.

Scotland has a rich tradition of marches and parades, but we cannot ignore the fact some people use parades and marches as an excuse for abusive and sectarian behaviour.

Introduction from the First Minister

For far too long bigoted sectarian behaviour has been a scar on Scottish life. The images of abusive and violent behaviour that result tel l the world that Scotland is not yet free of past prejudices. But it doesn’t need to be like this. Our small country has a big future. Devolution has given us a historic opportunity to build a strong, healthy society, one where every Scot, regardless of their background, can be confident of success. We must make the most of that opportunity.

Bigoted sectarian attitudes have no place in aist-century Scotland. The Summit on Sectarianism on 14 February 2005 brought together key representatives, from a broad range of interests, to discuss working together to tackle sectarianism. I was pleased that those who attended welcomed the initiative. Discussion focused on four key themes of interfaith, education, sport and marches and parades. We consider these central to the work that needs to be taken forward. I hope you find this record of the Summit interesting.

The Summit was only the next step in a long-term process. We sti l l have a long way to go. A clear agreement emerged to work together to tackle sectarian bigotry. I gave a commitment to develop, in partnership, a national action plan to tackle sectarianism. This will build on the desire for change and the shared commitment to work to make a real and lasting difference for the benefit of the people of Scotland now and in the future.

Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP

Opening Remarks The First Minister welcomed participants to the first ever Summit on Sectarianism. He encouraged participants to speak freely. The First Minister made clear his commitment to tackling bigotry and religious hatred which risked holding back Scotland. He wanted to see a modern and dynamic Scotland which left behind prejudices of the past. Ministers recognised the importance of leadership and their own role in driving forward work. Changes had been made to legislation. The Summit was an opportunity to recognise progress made and commit to future action.

Discussion of Key Themes to Tackle Sectarianism Discussion focused on four key themes central to tackling bigoted sectarian attitudes and behaviours. Those themes were:

Following opening remarks made by the First Minister, each theme was discussed in turn and it was open to all participants to contribute. This record summarises the points raised and gives a flavour of the discussion. It does not attribute views.

General

Common ground

C h u rc h in it ia t ives

Act of Settlement

Media coverage

Suggestions for areas of work to be taken forward

Anti-sectarian education resource

Education in schools

Education outside schools

Suggestions for areas of work to be taken forward

Genera I

Achievements and ongoing work

m

Football matches

Media

Suggestions for areas of work to be taken forward

General

b

Suggestions for areas of work to be taken forward

Conclusion and Next Steps The Summit recognised the need for leadership. There was a suggestion that the Executive should develop national messages which could be adapted to local circumstances, following the model of community planning. There were a number of common actions across themes, including the need to share good practice and make use of accessible material to highlight and tackle the issue of sectarianism.

The First Minister drew the Summit to a conclusion. It had been a historic event, bringing together a diverse range of participants who were prepared to engage in serious discussion of a difficult issue. It was the next stage in a long-term process. He wanted to give greater momentum to tackling sectarianism. The First Minister gave a commitment to developing a national action plan through a series of smaller meetings involving a wide range of organisations. It was important that the plan was developed in partnership. The plan should be launched later in the year.

Rowena Arshad, Director of the Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland

Tim Blott, Newsquest Herald and Times Ltd

Chief Superintendent Tom Buchan, Association of Scottish Police Superintendents

Councillor lames Coleman, Glasgow City Council

Archbishop Mario Conti, Catholic Church

Jay Crawford, Real Radio Scotland

Alastair Dempster, sportscotland

Kenneth Elder, Scottish Federation of Football Supporters Association

Dr Alison Elliot, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

Jim Divers, Celtic Supporters Association

loan Fraser, YouthLink Scotland

Robert Gordon, Justice Department, Scottish Executive

Donald Gorrie MSP

lane Gotts, Rangers Supporters Assembly

Deputy Chief Constable Ricky Gray, Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland

Mark Hollinshead, Scottish Daily Record and Sunday Mail Ltd

Bi l l Jamieson, Scotsman Publications Ltd

Cathy Jamieson MSP, Minister for Justice

Douglas Keil, Scottish Police Federation

ALison Logan, Sense Over Sectarianism

Maggie Lunan, Church of Scotland Church

Laurence Macintyre, Rangers Football Club

John McBeth, Scottish Football Association

Councillor Jim McCabe, North Lanarkshire

Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP, First Minister

Councillor Anne McGovern, Fife Council

Bernard McLeary, Learning and Teaching

lain McMillan, CBI Scotland

Keith Patrick Cardinal O'Brien,

Peter Rafferty, Affiliation of Celtic

Fred Sheddon, Nil by Mouth

Jim Slaven, Cairde na hEireann

lan Small, BBC Scotland

Bil l Speirs, Scottish Trade Union Congress

Jim Templeton, Rangers Supporters

Cara Urquhart, COSLA

Sandy Watson, SOLACE Scotland

Councillor Pat Watters, COSLA

Sandy Wilkie, Scottish Radio Holdings plc

lan Wilson, The Most Worthy Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland

and Nation Committee

Council

Scotland

Catholic Church

Supporters Clubs

Assembly

0 Crown copyright 2005

This document is also available on the

Scottish Executive website: www.scotland.gov.uk

Astron B40313 4/05

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