The word ‘Ekta’ means unity in Hindi which is the theme that lies at the heart of this group, which raises awareness of issues surrounding race through celebrating cultural diversity.
Who we are
A culturally diverse of young people from Kettering.
Where we're based
Kettering
When we started
2001
How we started
The group started in 2001.
Our work
EKTA Kettering (Young People Against Racism) is a group of young people from secondary schools in Kettering Borough, between the ages of 12 and 18. They formed as a group in January 2001, so that they could educate other young people about the effects of racism and provide help, advice and support for victims of racial abuse, racist assault, racial harassment and bullying in schools and the wider community in the Kettering Borough. The word 'Ekta' means unity in Hindi which is the theme that lies at the heart of this group, which raises awareness of issues surrounding race through celebrating cultural diversity. As a group set up and run for young people, its projects include a mosaic arts initiative and an innovative new website
Future plans
Hi, my name is Semina Ali and my group Ekta won a Philip Lawrence Award in 2004. Winning the award has given our group national recognition, which has helped draw attention to the issues that the group is concerned with such as how to build a cohesive community while addressing racial issues. The group since winning the award has engaged in many activities and projects, one of the major events being the local carnival in the summer of 2005. It has been an extremely exciting experience as from winning the award I have had the opportunity to attend a reception at Number 10 Downing Street and meet Tony Blair. I have had an opportunity to judge this year's entrants and was on the final judging panel with Sir Trevor McDonald and other members of the board. It is an experience I will not be forgetting and it is due to Ekta and the Philip Lawrence Awards that this has taken place and enabled me to meet some wonderful and exciting people. By bringing together other youth groups at an event such as the Philip Lawrence Awards, it made us realize that it is not just Ekta members that make a difference in life – we all do! (Article appeared in the Philip Lawrence Awards Magazine 2005)
Project website
http://www.philiplawrenceawards.net
Being in Ekta has enabled me to constructively challenge racism. It has also helped me become a confident person and helped me with public speaking... I am also encouraged now to continue to work with other groups in the future to develop community harmony.
Semina Ali, prokect member, aged 19
