The History of the COTW-project

The idea behind ‘The Children of the Wind‘ project was born entirely out of CASS WILLIAMSON’S own personal experience as a displaced child and now – a designation, which she owns, a ‘THIRD CULTURE ADULT and GLOBAL NOMAD’.

She arrived in the UK four and a half years ago intending to re-connect with her father after the death of her mother in 1995 and some twenty-six years of non-family interaction, with the idea to investigate her concept of ‘families straddling cultures’. Whilst working at the former, MANCHESTER TRAININING AND ENTERPRISE COUNCIL, she was introduced to the PROGRESS TRUST as an organisation interested in funding innovative projects linked to raising black achievement. A proposal was submitted and after many lengthy meetings and re-writes!!! the funding was granted.

Through further contacts at, MANCHESTER TRAININING AND ENTERPRISE COUNCIL, a number of schools showed interest in the subject resulting in the project as an initiative being lodged in an inner-city Manchester school.

The funding has not only financed a full and part-time commitment from the research co-ordinator, but as also brought countless resources and benefits to the school and pupils, not least of which was a successful conference entitled ‘the MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOM’, which provided a platform and forum for the school to showcase the work carried out in the first pilot year and also an opportunity for expert speakers to debate crucial issues around intercultural and multicultural perspectives.

The Children of the Wind ‘ project has generated a great deal of interest from and forged working links with a number of organisations such as SIETAR UK/Europa [The Society for Intercultural Education Training and Research], the BBC, CSV [Community Services Volunteers], The Dept. of Health, Moss Side and Hulme Regeneration Project, Manchester Museum and SITC [Safe in the City] initiative.