News
Foundation hosts launch of European-wide anti-discrimination programme
Thu 24th October 2019
The Rangers Charity Foundation welcomed clubs and organisations from across Europe to Ibrox today (Thursday 24th October) for the launch of a new diversity and inclusion programme.
The European Football for Development Network (EFDN), Chelsea FC Foundation, SV Werder Bremen, Inter Campus, Club Brugge Foundation, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust and Fundacao Benfica will join the Rangers Charity Foundation in a new ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ (SRTRC) initiative.
The 24-month anti-racism and anti-discrimination programme, which is also teaming up with SRTRC Netherlands, will utilise the high-profile status of football to help tackle racism and other forms of discrimination in society. The project aims to raise awareness of diversity, foster social cohesion and reduce physical and verbal violence linked to racism.
The programme’s output includes awareness campaigns in stadiums and in grassroots clubs, educational programmes for schools and workplaces, as well as events to promote diversity through football.
To celebrate the new initiative, a launch event took place at Ibrox on Wednesday 23rd – Thursday 24th with representatives from all programme partners. A campaign video was released and clubs were able receive information about the programme and discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in current society.
Show Racism The Red Card representatives from England and Scotland were also able to present and meet with the group.
Formers Rangers FC player and current Show Racism the Red Card Education Worker, Derek Ferguson, was also on hand to show his support.
Claudia Kreileman, Campaign Manager at Show Racism the Red Card The Netherlands, said: “The power of this programme comes from the eight very different football foundations located throughout Europe, which are uniting to promote diversity.
“The programme hopefully shows that, if we stand together, racism can be fought against and together we will stand stronger. Especially with the current racism incidents in football, it is necessary that we express that this does not belong in stadiums and that football should be a game for all.”
Rangers Charity Foundation Director, Connal Cochrane, said: “We were pleased to welcome all programme partners to Ibrox this week, for the beginning of what will hopefully become a very powerful initiative across Europe.
“The Foundation is committed to promoting diversity, equality and inclusion throughout its community work and, last season, launched two new projects – Diversity Wins and Autism Friendly-Football, as well as supporting other inititaives such as the club’s Everyone Anyone campaign.
“We look forward to working with our peers and Show Racism the Red Card to further enhance this important work.”
The Rangers Charity Foundation was proud to help launch a ground-breaking campaign, ‘Everyone Anyone’ with Rangers FC, which aims to unite people from all backgrounds, cultures and communities. This initiative promotes Rangers as a modern football club through which fans can come together and support a common cause – equality for everyone.
Earlier this month, the Foundation also picked up the ‘Diversity in Sport’ Award at the Herald and GenAnalytics Diversity Awards in Glasgow in recognition of its work to make sport accessible to everyone and educate future generations on diversity and inclusion.
