Unions must back members in local efforts to take the Show Racism the Red Card message to young people in their communities and fans on the terracings, UNISON’s John Stevenson told a fringe meeting at the STUC in Inverness.

As Show Racism the Red Card gears up for its launch of ‘Homophobia: Let's Tackle It’ at Hampden Park on 1 May, the meeting debated how best to get the message across at grass roots level.

Ex Aberdeen FC footballer Brian Irvine told of his work in coaching young players in their communities. The time to impress the message of respect and equality was at an early age – with young people doing something that they want to do – before negative influences come to bear.

Chaired by Unite’s Elaine Dougall, the meeting opened up the debate about how to engage people in the anti-racism campaign. The EIS highlighted their longstanding schools programme and NUJ delegates spoke of how they could include the SRTRC focus in their ethics guide for journalists.

John Stevenson, standing in for Eileen Dinning, gave examples from Dundee to Rutherglen, to Ayrshire of how UNISON members had engaged young people in their areas in the campaign.

He spoke of the need to tackle ‘organised racism setting out to corrupt our young people’.

“The focus on taking the message of hope and not hate to young people where they are, has never been more important. That is where Show Racism the Red Card – and the people who give of their time to get directly involved – is achieving something great”.