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A Unique Child: A-Z of inclusive practice - X is for xenophobia

'Inclusion is a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down barriers to participation and belonging' - Early Childhood Forum, 2003

Xenophobia is generally understood as a fear of foreigners or strangers. Groups that are vulnerable because of xenophobic attitudes include refugees, asylum seekers, Travellers and workers who have migrated here from abroad. Many families in the UK live and thrive in mixed communities, but in times of economic difficulties feelings of hostility may develop or deepen. People in some groups who are white may experience hostility, prejudice and discrimination in some of the same ways that black people do. This is known as xenoracism.

With the enlargement of membership of the European Community, some people have been coming to Britain to live and to seek work. Most are white and many have never before lived in a multicultural, multi-ethnic society.

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