After record reports last season, tackling faith-based abuse has been central to our work and helped massively by our Antisemitism and Islamophobia working groups. They have been integral to tackling discrimination, while also helping us develop and deliver education and training programmes, providing community-focused insights and supporting our advocacy efforts to influence policy change.
The progress made by our Antisemitism and Islamophobia working groups would not have been possible without the support and leadership of the respective chairs, Lord Mann and Baroness Warsi. But as we enter a new season, we have decided to evolve the make-up and focus of the groups, which will mean both chairs stepping down. Their insight, guidance and vision have been invaluable.
In addition, the following changes made to the working groups will allow Kick It Out to redouble its efforts in tackling Antisemitism and Islamophobia and making football more inclusive for Jewish and Muslim communities:
- Organisational input: Membership will be more focused on organisations, as opposed to individuals, moving away from a chair model. This will allow the working groups to rely on more organisational expertise.
- Strategic alignment: The model, focus and facilitating of the working groups will become more aligned to Kick It Out’s Football United strategy and the work of our policy, education, programme and reporting teams.
- Diverse perspectives: Expanded membership from organisations within and outside of football to ensure that the working groups have a wide range of insight, expertise and appetite for solutions.
- Renewed Focus: With faith-based discrimination rising, we will work with members to refine the aims and mission of the working groups.
We will announce more details about the make-up and changes to these groups in the coming months. Kick It Out would like to sincerely thank Lord Mann and Baroness Warsi for all their efforts in establishing the working groups to the status they hold today.
