MORE than 100 young people have joined forces with genocide survivors for an international event tackling racism and prejudice.

The United Nations Holocaust Memorial Day – which marks the liberation of concentration camp Auschwitz – was highlighted with a special event at the New Vic Theatre last night.

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Pupils of nine schools from across the county took to the stage alongside those whose lives have been affected by genocide, prejudice and hatred in Iraq, Zimbabwe and Rwanda.

The theme of this year's event was Stand Up To Hatred, and it was hosted by the award-winning New Vic Borderlines team.

It was designed to recognise global intolerance and to explore ways to make communities stronger and safer.

Project co-ordinator Andy Billington said: "This is the seventh year we have run the project here. Since September, we have worked with nine schools and have guided their research into intolerance, hatred and genocide.

"The children have now come together to share their work in the form of drama, dance and music.

"All the work has come from what the pupils have found out about intolerance, hatred and genocide, and their reactions to it. They have spoken with victims of genocide to learn about their experiences.

"The whole point of the project is to explore the theme of standing up to hatred, in order to enable all communities to recognise intolerance and act on it."

The nine schools involved were Clough Hall Technology School in Kidsgrove; Painsley Catholic High School in Cheadle; Sir Thomas Boughey High School in Halmerend; Blackfriars Special School in Newcastle; St John Fisher Catholic High School in Newcastle; Cedars Pupil Referral Unit in Silverdale; Newcastle Community High School; Silverdale Primary School; and Madeley High School.

Deborah Jandles, an asylum seeker from Zimbabwe, who now lives in Shelton, worked alongside the pupils as part of the event.

She said: "I became involved with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in Zimbabwe, and feared for my life.

"I came to England in 2004 with my daughter Connie, who was three months old at the time. We settled in Stoke, and while we wait to hear from the Home Office about our residency, I have been volunteering at the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) and for Staffordshire Buddies.

"It's very important that young people learn about prejudice and persecution, because they can pass on what they have learned to make sure that it stops. And for this I would like to thank the New Vic for helping communities to look at the plight of others."