Latest news with #decolonisation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Vikings were not all white, pupils to be told
Vikings were 'very diverse' and not all white, according to a guide to teaching schoolchildren. Tutors placed in schools by The Brilliant Club, an educational charity, have been urged to ditch 'Eurocentric' ideas in favour of a 'decolonised narrative' that moves subjects away from a Western focus. A guide produced by the charity suggests ditching the idea that the Vikings were a 'homogenous community of blonde Scandinavians'. Instead, tutors are told to consider teaching that 'Vikings were not all white'. The guidance, intended to make lessons more 'relatable' for pupils, adds that Vikings were 'a very diverse group of people' with 'diverse religious beliefs' and urges the tutors to consider that 'some Vikings became practising Muslims'. This claim appears to rely on Islamic goods being found in the graves of some Vikings, who traded with the Islamic world. The last large-scale study of Viking DNA, conducted by the University of Cambridge in 2020, suggested that diversity in Scandinavian genetics came from other parts of Europe and what is now Russia. The Brilliant Club runs a scholarship programme that places PhD students in more than 800 schools to tutor underprivileged pupils and help them get to university. Schools can apply to receive tutoring, and PhD students can apply for paid placements in Brilliant Club schools. It has created two 'decolonising your course' toolkits to help tutors with the courses they will deliver when working within schools. The guides present them with a preferred 'decolonised' approach narrative which is contrasted with a 'Eurocentric and colonised' version of history. It states that there is an 'imperative to provide material to students that they can relate to and connect with … part of this should be presenting them with courses where they can see themselves represented positively'. The guidance also stresses that making courses more relatable is not simply about 'adding token Black figures into courses'. Guidance for arts courses suggests tutors should not only teach Romanticism by referencing the great Romantic poets – including Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley and Byron – but find writers who are not just 'upper-class white men'. Tutors are also asked to consider the decolonised narrative of the spread of democracy across the world, which is defined as: 'Parliamentary democratic rule, a form of Western democracy, was exported and enforced on colonial subjects for the purpose of exploitation and domination.' The guide makes several other suggestions for tutors, including being aware of the controversial nature of the term 'Anglo-Saxon'. It states: 'This was not the term the people then used to refer to themselves' and adds that 'the term has 'a long history of being used in a racially charged manner'. Alfred the Great was referred to as 'Rex Angul-Saxonum', the king of the Anglo-Saxons, in the 10th century. The Brilliant Club has said that it is not a leading expert on decolonising, but encourages tutors to reflect on inclusive and thoughtful teaching practices. Its guidance to tutors is in line with other 'decolonising' work, which seeks to move away from Western accounts of history and science, and away from artistic canons that are seen to privilege the creative work of Western figures. William Shakespeare's birthplace is one of a number of sites to be 'decolonised', and the practice can also include addressing imperial history and ideas of national identity that are seen to be potentially controversial. In 2024, the University of Nottingham removed the term 'Anglo-Saxon' from its leading course over fears that the ethnonym could play into 'nationalist narratives'. In 2023, it emerged that Cambridge taught students that Anglo-Saxons did not exist as a distinct ethnic group, as part of efforts to undermine 'myths of nationalism'. The terminology of 'early medieval England' is the preferred replacement for 'Anglo-Saxon' by academics concerned that the latter has become a phrase surrounding white identity used by racists, principally to describe those in the US descended from white early settlers. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Vikings were not all white, pupils to be told
Vikings were 'very diverse' and not all white, according to a guide to teaching schoolchildren. Tutors placed in schools by The Brilliant Club, an educational charity, have been urged to ditch 'Eurocentric' ideas in favour of a 'decolonised narrative' that moves subjects away from a Western focus. A guide produced by the charity suggests ditching the idea that the Vikings were a 'homogenous community of blonde Scandinavians'. Instead, tutors are told to consider teaching that 'Vikings were not all white'. The guidance, intended to make lessons more 'relatable' for pupils, adds that Vikings were ' a very diverse group of people ' with 'diverse religious beliefs' and urges the tutors to consider that 'some Vikings became practising Muslims'. This claim appears to rely on Islamic goods being found in the graves of some Vikings, who traded with the Islamic world. The last large-scale study of Viking DNA, conducted by the University of Cambridge in 2020, suggested that diversity in Scandinavian genetics came from other parts of Europe and what is now Russia. The Brilliant Club runs a scholarship programme that places PhD students in more than 800 schools to tutor underprivileged pupils and help them get to university. Schools can apply to receive tutoring, and PhD students can apply for paid placements in Brilliant Club schools. It has created two 'decolonising your course' toolkits to help tutors with the courses they will deliver when working within schools. The guides present them with a preferred 'decolonised' approach narrative which is contrasted with a 'Eurocentric and colonised' version of history. It states that there is an 'imperative to provide material to students that they can relate to and connect with … part of this should be presenting them with courses where they can see themselves represented positively'. The guidance also stresses that making courses more relatable is not simply about 'adding token Black figures into courses'. 'Anglo-Saxon' controversy Guidance for arts courses suggests tutors should not only teach Romanticism by referencing the great Romantic poets – including Wordsworth, Keats, Shelley and Byron – but find writers who are not just 'upper-class white men'. Tutors are also asked to consider the decolonised narrative of the spread of democracy across the world, which is defined as: 'Parliamentary democratic rule, a form of Western democracy, was exported and enforced on colonial subjects for the purpose of exploitation and domination.' The guide makes several other suggestions for tutors, including being aware of the controversial nature of the term 'Anglo-Saxon'. It states: 'This was not the term the people then used to refer to themselves' and adds that 'the term has 'a long history of being used in a racially charged manner'. Alfred the Great was referred to as 'Rex Angul-Saxonum', the king of the Anglo-Saxons, in the 10th century. The Brilliant Club has said that it is not a leading expert on decolonising, but encourages tutors to reflect on inclusive and thoughtful teaching practices. Its guidance to tutors is in line with other 'decolonising' work, which seeks to move away from Western accounts of history and science, and away from artistic canons that are seen to privilege the creative work of Western figures. William Shakespeare's birthplace is one of a number of sites to be 'decolonised', and the practice can also include addressing imperial history and ideas of national identity that are seen to be potentially controversial. In 2024, the University of Nottingham removed the term 'Anglo-Saxon' from its leading course over fears that the ethnonym could play into 'nationalist narratives'. In 2023, it emerged that Cambridge taught students that Anglo-Saxons did not exist as a distinct ethnic group, as part of efforts to undermine 'myths of nationalism'. The terminology of 'early medieval England' is the preferred replacement for 'Anglo-Saxon' by academics concerned that the latter has become a phrase surrounding white identity used by racists, principally to describe those in the US descended from white early settlers.
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
The absurd claim that Britain's Chagos giveaway bolsters national security
SIR – Sir Keir Starmer's ludicrous decision to pay a total of £30 billion to give the Chagos Islands to Mauritius (report, May 23) is anything but 'absolutely vital for our defence and intelligence', as he claims. The sheer obliviousness on the part of the Prime Minister and his Cabinet with respect to the consequences of the deal truly epitomises the chaos within the current Government. Simply put, it is surrendering what is not only British territory, but also a vital strategic asset. Those who claim that Britain should pay vast sums of money to give away this archipelago in the name of 'decolonisation' are blind to the disastrous ramifications that will ensue, at a time when China's geopolitical and economic aggression will only worsen. Perhaps Paul Bérenger, the deputy prime minister of Mauritius, is correct. We are indeed 'living in a historic moment' – namely, one which will leave a permanent stain on Britain's foreign policy for decades to come. We should not be surprised if May 22 2025 goes down in history as the day on which Britain's status changed from a global power to a rapidly declining one. Dr Edward Howell Oxford SIR – The Chagossian people don't want to be ruled by Mauritius. They have said so over and over again, but they have been ignored. Using the specious excuse of anti-colonialism, this Labour Government is paying a country with no valid territorial claim to colonise their homeland. Eddie Lewisohn London N6 SIR – I am in my late 80s, so the future isn't going to affect me too much, but I do have concerns for my children and grandchildren. In this week alone, a flotilla of little ships crossing the Channel to commemorate the Dunkirk evacuation was diverted, so that the Border Force could escort a migrant boat to our shores (report, May 22). What are we doing escorting a boat bringing illegal immigrants to this country? Then Sir Keir Starmer signed away the Chagos Islands, at a possible cost to the taxpayer of £30 billion. Why are we giving up British sovereignty of these islands, let alone paying such a huge amount to do so? A paedophile avoided deportation under the European Convention on Human Rights (report, May 22), after claiming that it would blight his future. When are we going to recognise that those who commit a crime against society automatically lose their human rights? The Prime Minister also gave European Union agencies permission to conduct random inspections at British farms and food production sites, to ensure that they are compliant with the bloc's rules (report, May 22); this in addition to selling out our fishing industry by allowing the EU a further 12 years' access to British waters. Is this what Brexiteers voted for? These are just four examples of 'broken Britain'. Guy Williams Nailsworth, Gloucestershire SIR – Sir Keir Starmer was clear – the winter fuel payment was completely unaffordable and had to be withdrawn, despite the harm it would do to the elderly. Suddenly, however, it can be brought back (report, May 22), not because pensioners' or the country's situation has changed, but in an attempt to reverse the Prime Minister's plummeting fortunes and threatened splits in his party. Jonathan Mann Gunnislake, Cornwall
Times of Oman
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
India welcomes UK-Mauritius treaty on Chagos, reaffirms support for sovereignty
New Delhi: India on Wednesday welcomed the signing of a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. In a press statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India described the agreement as a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region. "We welcome the signing of the treaty between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Mauritius on the return of Mauritian sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. The formal resolution of the longstanding Chagos dispute through this bilateral treaty is a milestone achievement and a positive development for the region. This is further to the understanding between the two sides reached in October 2024, and marks the culmination of the process of decolonisation of Mauritius in the spirit of international law and rules-based order," the statement said. India has consistently supported Mauritius's legitimate claim over the Chagos Archipelago, reiterating its position on decolonisation, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. The statement added, "India has consistently supported Mauritius's legitimate claim over the Chagos Archipelago in keeping with its principled position on decolonisation, respect for sovereignty, and the territorial integrity of nations. As a steadfast and longstanding partner of Mauritius, India remains committed to working closely with Mauritius and other like-minded countries to strengthen maritime security and regional stability and ensure peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region." Earlier in March, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reaffirmed India's support for Mauritius on the Chagos sovereignty issue, stating, "We have supported Mauritius in its stance on its sovereignty over Chagos. And this is obviously in keeping with our longstanding position with regard to decolonisation and support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of our other countries. And its only fitting for us to articulate this support for partners such as Mauritius." Misri emphasised that India had made substantial contributions to Mauritius's maritime safety and security, and highlighted ongoing technical and development cooperation. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's previous visit to Mauritius, several agreements were signed on enhancing maritime security, technical cooperation, ocean observation, and capacity building. India has provided vessels and assistance for maritime surveillance, and supports a range of projects from infrastructure to education, health, and the blue economy. "These facilities have also been assisting Mauritius in its maritime surveillance and patrolling of its vast Exclusive Economic Zone and in safeguarding the assets of its blue economy ecosystem from traditional and non-traditional maritime challenges," Misri said.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What is the Chagos deal between UK and Mauritius?
The UK has signed a £3.4bn ($4.6bn) deal to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while retaining control of a UK-US military base on Diego Garcia - the largest of the islands. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says the 99-year agreement to lease back Diego Garcia will cost the UK £101m a year, and is necessary to protect the base from "malign influence". Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said the agreement completed "the total process of decolonisation". But UK opposition leaders - and some Chagossians now resident in the UK - have criticised the deal. The Chagos Islands - officially known as the British Indian Ocean Territory - are located in the Indian Ocean about 5,799 miles (9,332km) south-east of the UK, and about 1,250 miles north-east of Mauritius. The islands, also known as the Chagos Archipelago - comprised of seven atolls with about 60 individual islands - were separated from Mauritius in 1965, when Mauritius was still a British colony. Britain purchased the islands for £3m but Mauritius has argued that it was illegally forced to give them away as part of a deal to gain independence from Britain. In the late 1960s, Britain invited the US to build a military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands, forcibly removing thousands of people from their homes in the process. Some of those Chagossians ended up in Mauritius and the Seychelles, but others settled in the UK, mostly in Crawley, West Sussex. The UK has handed sovereignty of the archipelago to Mauritius, but will lease use of Diego Garcia for a period of 99 years - at an average cost of £101m a year. The UK will pay £165m in each of the first three years. From years four to 13, it will pay £120m a year. After that, payments will be indexed to inflation. Sir Keir said continued use of Diego Garcia as a military base had been signed off by members of the five eyes alliance - the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The US will pay for "running costs" of the base, he said. The agreement also includes a £40m trust fund to support Chagossians. Under the deal, although Mauritius will control Diego Garcia, it will not be allowed to resettle the island. Bernadette Dugasse is one of two Chagossian women, born on Diego Garcia, who brought a last-minute legal challenge over the deal to the UK's High Court. She told the BBC: "I don't belong in the UK, I don't belong in Mauritius, I don't belong in the Seychelles. I belong in Diego Garcia." Their legal challenge had temporarily blocked the deal when a court injunction was granted, but the High Court went on to dismiss the challenge. Diego Garcia is the largest of the Chagos Islands. Since the early 1970s, the UK and the US have jointly run a secretive military base there. The government says its facilities include an airfield and deep-water port, as well as advanced communications and surveillance capabilities. There are no commercial flights to the island. Access is granted by the military facility or, previously, the British authority that ran the territory. Diego Garcia is seen as having high strategic important because of its location in the heart of the Indian Ocean. During the US "war on terror" after the 9/11 attacks, aircraft were sent directly from the island to carry out missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. What I found on the secretive tropical island they don't want you to see The Conservatives have criticised the deal. Party leader Kemi Badenoch called the deal an "act of national self-harm". "It leaves us more exposed to China, and ignores the will of the Chagossian people. And we're paying billions to do so," she said. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said the deal was "not necessary" and played "into China's hands". The government, however, said the continued use of the military base on Diego Garcia would have been untenable without signing the deal. Defence Secretary John Healey said: "Without this deal, within weeks, we could face losing legal rulings and within just a few years the base would become inoperable". US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a post on X, said Washington "welcomed" the agreement which secured the "long-term, stable, and effective operation of the joint U.S.-UK military facility at Diego Garcia, which is critical to regional and global security". Why did the government sign the Chagos deal now? Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said the deal was a "great victory for the Mauritian nation". Mauritian Attorney General Gavin Glover told the BBC: "Our country is elated that this 60-year struggle is finally over, especially for our brothers and sisters who were forced to leave their homes." Although Chagossians have differing views on the deal, one elderly woman at the headquarters of the Chagos Refugee Group headquarters in Mauritius, celebrated it. "Now I can finally go there… and die in peace," she said.
