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1 Jun 99

THE HEARTSTONE PROJECT:UNDERSTANDING DIFFERENCE

Pupils in Poole schools are benefiting from their involvement in a national project which helps them to understand difference.

Heartstone is an organisation devoted to building understanding and co-operation between young people aged from 8 to 18 years. It aims to cross different nationalities and cultures and in doing so to challenge and break down prejudice and intolerance.

Eleven schools in Poole are currently taking part in the Heartstone 1999-2000 Project under the guidance of a project manager and with the support of the Borough's Religious, Personal, Social and Health Adviser, Jan Moody.

Pupils are focusing on such areas as racism, ageism, gender difference, disability and bullying. The culmination of the Project will be when work from each school goes forward to feature in a series of national exhibitions, the first one to be held 11th to 16th July in The Great Hall, Winchester. Local residents will be able to share in the project when a Poole exhibition of work is mounted early in the new millennium.

Jan Moody is excited by the scope of this initiative. "It is vital that young people consider the range of differences that exist in our society if they are to take their part as responsible members of the community. There are so many examples of intolerance and prejudice around them that need to be examined. When understood, the hope is that young people will appreciate diversity. This Project helps them to do that and we are already seeing some very thoughtful and imaginative work coming out of their studies"

Jan Moody - tel. 01202 687076