Tackling Racism and Promoting Anti-Racism in Education

Conference condemns the organised, planned racist violence that erupted in Belfast and other parts of Northern Ireland in June 2026, which saw homes set alight, families forced to flee, and communities terrorised.

Conference believes that the trade union movement has a duty to condemn all forms of hate crime and to campaign in support of those who are under attack, as well as promoting education to reinforce why such behaviour is unacceptable in a civilised society.

Conference further believes that schools and colleges should be places of safety, welcome, and support for all children and young people, and the education system must play a central role in challenging racism and building a genuinely inclusive society.

Conference commends Congress for its work on tackling racism but calls on all political leaders to show the same solidarity with communities who are under attack.

Conference call of congress to demand that:

1. all politicians are unequivocal in their condemnation when racist attacks occur;
2. the Department of Education and employers develop a contingency framework to protect educational continuity and pupil safety during periods of civil unrest;
3. workers who can’t get to work during civil unrest are not financially penalised;
4. education employing authorities provide mental health and trauma support for pupils who have witnessed attacks on their homes or communities and
5. anti-racist education is part of the new curriculum.