On 7 April, the Dialogue Society North East Branch was pleased to attend the North East Anti-Racism Coalition’s fifth regional gathering, held at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland A.F.C. It was a privilege to be part of such a meaningful and well-organised conference.
The event brought together community organisations, faith groups, activists, and practitioners committed to working towards a North East free from racism, anti-Muslim hatred, and all forms of hate. The conference provided a safe and welcoming space for open dialogue, shared learning, and collective action.
The programme included community updates and shared actions from inspiring speakers, including Abu Sharma (Sunderland Bangladesh International Centre), Michal and Agnieszka Cielecka (ICOS – International Community Organisation of Sunderland), Theo Adegbie (MICC Chapel of Light), and Justine King (Show Racism the Red Card). A powerful learning session on anti-Muslim hatred was delivered by Amjid Khazir from Media Cultured CIC, offering valuable insights into challenges faced by Muslim communities and the role of media literacy.
Participants also engaged in small-group discussions exploring next steps across four key themes:
Anti-racism accountability and leadership
Community engagement
Education and awareness
Communications
The North East Anti-Racism Coalition plays a vital role in bringing together diverse organisations and voices across the region to address racism through research, collaboration, and community-led action. Their continued work is especially important as research shows that many incidents of racism—ranging from verbal abuse to discrimination in services and workplaces—remain underreported.
Dialogue Society North East Branch is grateful for the opportunity to attend and contribute to this important space. We commend the Coalition and everyone involved for creating a thoughtful, inclusive, and impactful event. This is a movement, not a moment, and we are proud to stand alongside others working towards lasting change.
