Stronger Than Hate: Anti-Hate Challenge for Exeter Secondary Schools

A powerful challenge which empowers children to tackle hate within their communities and take action for a better future is being launched to secondary schools in Exeter today.

Created by University of Southern California (USC) Shoah Foundation, in partnership with Discovery Education, the Stronger Than Hate Challenge invites pupils to use their creativity to bring communities closer together.

Students aged 13-18 are being asked to submit a project showing why united communities are stronger. This can take the form of a video, poem, song, blog or piece of art – and a first prize of £5000 plus iPads is on offer.

The challenge is being launched to schools across the UK and it’s hoped that schools in Exeter will encourage their students to enter.

Kristina Mjomark, Head of Content at Discovery Education UK said: “We’re delighted to bring the Stronger Than Hate Challenge to schools in Exeter this year. It’s never been more important to give young people a voice against hate and prejudice. We hope that Exeter secondary school students will take this opportunity to display their creativity and bring communities closer together. We’re looking forward to seeing their entries!”

Founded after the making of Steven Spielberg’s film Schindler’s List, USC Shoah Foundation collects audio visual testimonies from survivors and witnesses of genocides around the world, preserving their stories for future generations. Pupils taking part in the Stronger Than Hate Challenge can listen to these stories and be inspired to produce a piece of work which reflects the power of testimony to tackle hate.

Already a high-profile challenge in the US and Canada, Stronger Than Hate is being launched in the UK along with special classroom resources to help teachers and pupils recognise and counter hate and discrimination - freely available at TeachingWithTestimony.com/uk-challenge.

Lesly Culp, USC Shoah Foundation’s Head of Programs for Education said:

“The Stronger Than Hate Challenge empowers youth voices by connecting students with the impact of testimony in overcoming hate. In continued partnership with Discovery Education, we are helping inspire new ideas and spark student imagination to foster a more just and equitable society.”

The Stronger Than Hate Challenge UK winners will be announced in August 2021. First prize is a £5,000 grant, awarded to the winning school to help teachers implement positive change. £1,000 and £500 grants will be similarly presented to the second and third place schools. iPads are also on offer for up to four pupils on the winning team.

Schools should visit teachingwithtestimony.com/challenge-uk to enter.

For more information about Discovery Education’s digital content and professional development services, visit discoveryeducation.co.uk.