Issue - meetings

Theme paper to consider ways to support schoolsin addressing the 2007 Theme – for information and discussion - Denise Chaplin; RE Advisor to SACRE

Claire Barnes from the Equality and Diversity Unit presented a report on the plans for Holocaust Memorial Day 2007. The Haringey event would be held in Bruce Castle.

The theme of the day would be “The Dignity of Difference”. Events would investigate how certain groups of people were excluded and how professionals colluded in this.

In addition to looking at the Holocaust itself, there would also be examination of more recent persecution of people on the grounds of race, religion, sexuality and political belief. 

Ms Barnes informed members that the Council was keen to get involved with other events being organised by other bodies and urged people to contact her at Claire.barnes@haringey.gov.uk or by telephone on 020 8489 2579.

The Chair indicated that she wished SACRE to be involved as in previous years in HMD.

Denise Chaplin, the Advisor to SACRE, enquired as to whether there were any materials that could be given to schools for their collective worship sessions. She also asked if members of SACRE had suggestions for prayers or poems that could be used.

Jennifer James suggested that there be liaison between Equalities and the Youth Service to develop HMD educational events and activities that would bring home to young people the lessons to be learned from that era.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Chair invited Ms Barnes to return to the next meeting of SACRE to update the Committee on developments to Haringey’s plans for HMD.

2.      That the Clerk would write to Committee members who were not present at the meeting to ask if they had any suggestions for prayers, poems and other pieces of writing that could be used in ceremonies to commemorate victims of the Holocaust and in school collective worship on the issue.