Human Rights & Equalities Charnwood (HR&EC)

Work with young people

HR&EC has been directly involved in organising youth conferences, training programmes and exchanges, and engaging youths to participate in similar events all over Europe and the UK.  Most conferences involve at least 14 to 15 countries with participants of around 28 to 30 youths and team leaders.  We involve local youths from Charnwood, local agencies and partners in these conferences including staff and volunteers from Charnwood Borough Council, Charnwood Arts, Voluntary Action Charnwood, Loughborough Council of Faiths, community centres and religious centres.  We have build extensive contacts with students from local schools, the colleges and the University and other individuals.

Also HR&EC has been directly involved in promoting community cohesion by sending youths from the different communities and backgrounds in Charnwood to projects/conferences/exchanges hosted by other partner countries all over Europe including Portugal, Spain, Azerbaijan, Germany, Poland to name a few.

This work opens up a whole new world for the youths of Charnwood to experience the cultures, traditions and ways of countries in Europe.  It gives them an opportunity to visit other countries, compare how things are done there and share their experiences of way of life in Britain.

Over the years, we have had excellent feedback from participants, both from the UK and other countries informing us of how they have valued this opportunity to attend these conferences and training programmes.  It has helped young people to gain experience, be more confident, tolerant of other cultures and lifestyles, learn new skills and promote citizenship.

These conferences were held in Charnwood organised by HR&EC. 1st conference Anti Racism – August 2006

Intercultural Learning – May 2007

Equality Project – Aug 2007  (in Partnership with Youth Across Frontiers)

Interfaith Dialogue – Sept 2007 (in Partnership with YAF)

British Youth Council project – LGBT Rights – July 2008

Media and Paparazzi – Sept 2008 (in partnership with Charnwood Arts and involvement from the local media/press)

Azerbaijan Project – Jan 2008 (in Partnership with YAF) This project was applied for by HR&EC on behalf of an Azerbaijani organisation.  It was organised with involvement from young people from Charnwood and hosted in Azerbaijan.