Major Challenges | For the past 10 years, rapid transition from a largely homogeneous (and emigration) to a multicultural (and immigration) society. Despite this, the Government still does not have a comprehensive policy on immigration, or adequate immigration legislation. Also: Most schools in Ireland still reflect the ethos of the majority Catholic Church, and give preference to children from Catholic families. Integration of the Irish Traveller community. |
Main Interpretations | Building an inclusive and intercultural society by taking into account the significant economic, social and cultural changes that have taken place in Irish society. In the fight against racism, Ireland is regarded by the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination as a ‘pioneer and example of good practice'. According to the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, Ireland is one of the top six countries in the EU in terms of its equality infrastructure, systems and processes in this area. |
There is no coordinating agency or general authority for immigration and integration, although the Government Joint Committee on European Affairs has requested one since 2005.
The Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform
(http://www.justice.ie/)
Coordinating role with regard to integration and anti-racism (ð NPAR).
Policies: ‘Planning for Diversity' - The National Action Plan Against Racism 2005-2008 (NPAR)
(http://www.diversityireland.ie/)
The NPAR originates from commitments given by Governments at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in South Africa in 2001 and underwent a broad consultative process before being launched by the government in 2005. Its key objectives are ‘to promote a more inclusive intercultural society in Ireland and to combat racism', i.e. seeking to develop an intercultural dimension to mainstream public policy, to undertake research in particular sectors and to develop public awareness initiatives. A steering group of key stakeholders from government bodies, the social partners and broader civil society, including representatives of minority communities, oversees the implementation of the plan.
The Department of the Taoiseach (Prime Minister's Office)
(http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/)
EX: In 2006, the Taoiseach appointed the Taskforce on Active Citizenship to, amongst other things, review the evidence regarding trends in citizen participation and organisational experience in relation to levels of engagement in Ireland today. The Taoiseach also coordinates interfaith dialogue.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Integration Policy
Accredited to several Departments of State including the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
(http://www.pobail.ie/)
EYID-coordination body:
National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) (see also 6.)
(http://www.nccri.ie/)
National implementation strategy (http://ec.europa.eu/culture/eac/dialogue/pdf_word/strategies_en.html)
2. Culture
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
(http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/)
The Arts Council
(http://www.artscouncil.ie/)
Policies: A national intercultural arts strategy is currently being developed by the Arts Council, including a specific action plan with a range of initiatives, e.g. the development of an intercultural dimension to some key mainstream Arts Funding initiatives.
The Department of Education and Science
(http://www.education.ie/)
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
(http://www.ncca.ie/)
Production of intercultural guidelines for teachers in primary and post-primary schools. The NPAR (see 1.) foresees the rollout of primary guidelines in schools and will develop post-primary guidelines.
The National Access Office for Higher Education, within the Higher Education Authority
(http://www.hea.ie/)
EX: An Intercultural Campus Concept will be developed in 2008.
Campaign Show racism the red card!
(http://www.theredcard.ie/)
In a partnership of education and sport, involving the main teachers' unions and the most popular sports in Ireland, the campaign is harnessing the profile of sport to educate against racism. Support to programmes that encourage integration and sport.
The Department of Education and Science
(http://www.education.ie/)
Development of an intercultural strategy for youth work, in co-operation with the National Youth Council (http://www.youth.ie/)
Stating a lack of national policy in the sport sector, public authorities may assume it more appropriate to use a ‘bottom up' approach with respect to sport, acting as a cohesive force.
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism
(http://www.arts-sport-tourism.gov.ie/)
The Irish Sports Council
(http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/)
Together with their local sporting partnerships, the Council recently disbursed important grants to encourage migrants to participate in sporting activities through mainstream sporting structures.
Sport Against Racism in Ireland (SARI)
(http://www.sari.ie/)
A not for profit organisation with charitable status supporting and promoting cultural integration and social inclusion through sport. SARI was set up in July 1997 as a direct response to the growth of racist attacks from a small but vocal section of people in Ireland. Besides its cooperation with local sports clubs, it creates highly visible sports events and football tournaments with multicultural teams and festival character, thus creating awareness for the cause.
EX: Under the NPAR (see 1.),
PLUS:
Since 2000, there is run a cross-sectoral campaign against racism in sport and society Show racism the red card http://www.theredcard.ie/, acting as a charity and being supported by a vaste range of public and private partners and sponsors, including trade unions, city councils and sports clubs.
The National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI)
(http://www.nccri.ie/)
National consultative body working towards a more inclusive society, provides advice and technical assistance to government and NGOs and is core-funded by the
Office of Social Inclusion
(http://www.socialinclusion.ie/)
Has overall responsibility for developing, co-ordinating and driving Ireland's National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007 - 2016 which, amongst others, promotes the integration of migrants.
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment
(http://www.entemp.ie/)
One key theme of the NPAR is economic inclusion and equality of opportunity, including focus on employment, the workplace and poverty.
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
(http://www.environ.ie/en/)
Under the NPAR, local authorities are also encouraged to develop Anti Racism and Diversity Plans (ARD).
National Police Service
(http://www.garda.ie/)
Maintains Garda Racial and Intercultural Unit.
Equality Authority and Equality Tribunal
(http://www.equality.ie/)
Independent body that was set up under the Employment Equality Act, 1998. It addresses discrimination in employment, vocational training, advertising, collective agreements, the provision of goods and services and other opportunities to which the public generally have access on nine distinct grounds.
Policies: ‘Embedding Equality' - (Third) Strategic Plan of the Equality Authority for 2006 to 2008.
Irish Human Rights Commission
(http://www.ihrc.ie/home/default.asp)
Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI)
(http://www.immigrantcouncil.ie/)
National, independent NGO that promotes the rights of migrants through information, legal advice, advocacy, lobbying, research and publications, as well as training work.
EX. for Community Activities:
The City of Dublin has taken a lead role in CLIP, a network of Cities for Local Integration Policies, through which 25 large European cities support the development and implementation of integration policies and facilite the sharing of promising integration practices across Europe. Launched in Spring 2006 and funded by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Condition, a EU body based in Dublin.
PLUS: A comprehensive list of articles and books related to interculturalism in Ireland can be found on NCCRI's website: http://www.nccri.ie/useful-publications.html#5
7. Trans-border / International ICD programmes
Department of Foreign Affairs
(http://foreignaffairs.gov.ie/)
Culture Ireland
(http://www.cultureireland.gov.ie/)
Established by the Government in 2005, Culture Ireland promotes deeper mutual understanding between Irish and other cultures and communities through artistic and cultural exchange. One of its priorities in the period 2007-2010 is to support artistic and cultural exchanges with the countries of origin of new communities resident in Ireland, for example China and Poland, with the aim of promoting deeper intercultural understanding within Ireland and between Ireland and other countries.
