Creating a fairer Britain
15/07/2008
Today the Equality and Human Rights Commission launches a new animated campaign film- ‘Your choice’. The film is based on the winning ideas of Year 6 pupils of Coryton Primary School in Cardiff, who entered a competition run by the Commission’s Croeso Project. The launch takes place at the Odeon Cinema, Cardiff Bay and the winners will be in the audience.
The competition was launched in January of this year to find an idea which challenged discrimination and prejudice. It was open to all young people in Wales aged 25 or under. The prize was to have that initial idea brought to life by award-winning Welsh animation company Calon, and to have the animation screened in cinemas across Wales this summer.
National Director for Wales, Kate Bennett met with the children to tell them the exciting news. Imogen Buckley, Cameron Hunter, Ben Davies, Sam Willson and Mathew Johnson, all aged 10 and 11, won the top prize. Their idea beat over 1000 entries from across Wales.
On finding out they were successful Cameron said, 'I felt honoured and stunned that we had won' Ben added 'I was surprised we’d won because the competition was open to a large age group and I thought older children would win.'
Kate Bennett said, 'The standard of the entries was exceptional, and we were so pleased to have such a fantastic response. The winning idea was chosen for the simplicity of its message and including different aspects of equality and diversity. And above all, it communicates clearly that bullying and discrimination are totally unacceptable.'
On the thinking behind their winning idea, Sam said, 'We chose bullying because it is relevant to schools and we thought about the main reasons children are bullied.'
Imogen added, 'I think sometimes I feel sorry for bullies because they have their own sad reasons for behaving like they do. Our animation makes me feel quite sad because this type of bullying is going on in schools and I want to stop it'. Mathew asks, 'I see no point in prejudice, why can’t we all live in peace?'
The animation will be premiered in front of an invited audience including speakers Jane Hutt, Minister for Education, Children and Young People, and BBC Wales television presenter, Jason Mohammad on Tuesday 15 July at the Odeon cinema in Cardiff. You can watch the clip here or on our YouTube site: www.youtube.com/equalityhumanrights.
Ends
For more information contact Sue Dye at the Equality and Human Rights Commission 0781 668 1175.
The premiere takes place at Screen 5 of the Odeon Cinema, Cardiff Bay at 12 noon on Tuesday 15 July. Media representatives are welcome to attend.
Notes to editors
The Croeso Project is a Good Relations initiative of the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Wales, jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Croeso Project aims to promote discussion and understanding between different communities to help all benefit from and enjoy a diverse Wales.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission will enforce equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act. It will also give advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.