Research

The development of the initiative was greatly influenced by research 'To Young to Notice?' carried out by Professor Paul Connolly from Queens University, Belfast which showed that by the age of six a significant proportion of children (1 in 6) in Northern Ireland are making sectarian and racial remarks.

The programme has been supported by rigorous academic research and a pilot programme of the initial three media messages was evaluated by Professor Connolly. The results are summarised below:-

After just three weeks the pilot programme was found to increase children's:

1. willingness to play with others, including some of those who are different to themselves
2. ability to understand how being excluded makes someone feel
3. ability to recognise instances of exclusion without prompting