The International Fund for Ireland is to provide just over £1.1m/€1.6m for an innovative new pre-school project aimed at helping young children to develop positive attitudes to diversity. Developed and run by Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children, the ‘Respecting Difference’ Programme will deliver mutual understanding and diversity training and resource packs for teachers, parents and pre-school management committees across Northern Ireland. Teachers will then deliver the Programme to pupils, with ongoing support from Early Years’ specialists. There will also be a series of TV cartoons complementing and supporting the classroom-based Programme. These will be screened three times a year by UTV, RTE and Channel 4. It is hoped that 240 pre-schools across Northern Ireland, Co Louth and Co Donegal will take part in the Programme over the next three years.Confirming the funding for the Programme at the Fund’s recent Board meeting, Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “Research has shown that children as young as six have sectarian attitudes and are making sectarian and racial remarks. If we want to move forward in our society towards lasting peace and a shared future, we have to find ways to help our children to embrace diversity and difference. The ‘Respecting Difference’ Programme provides an innovative and proven way of helping young children to understand the need to be inclusive and respectful of others. We are delighted to be able to support such an initiative.”Siobhan Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive of Early Years – the Organisation for Young Children said: “Today’s announcement by the International Fund for Ireland to support the Early Years Respecting Difference Programme will make a significant contribution in changing sectarian attitudes and the behaviour of young children in Northern Ireland and the Southern Border Counties.  The funding will ensure the roll out of the Programme over the next 3 years to pre-school children providing the materials, training and skills for pre-school teachers to tackle issues of sectarianism, racism and inclusion.  The IFI is making a significant investment in our children and our future.“The Respecting Difference Programme is a unique media initiative for children using cartoons and interactive play materials to help young children understand and respect those who are different and encourage inclusion in a very simple child-friendly way.  The Programme, backed by research and evaluation from Queen’s University Belfast, has been effectively tested and piloted to ensure it delivers an effective Programme for young children - what is good for children is good for everyone.”The Respecting Difference Programme is also being funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies and the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. The International Fund also approved a further £1.97/€2.88 million for a range of community regeneration and reconciliation projects across Northern Ireland and the Southern border counties.

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