Calendar of Events for EU Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008

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January:

Launch of the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 by President of Ireland, Mary McAleese

Location: The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

Fundraiser Event for Intercultural Club in Cork including table quiz, music, comedy, circus acts and poetry. Entry is €5 at the door. Venue: An Spailpín Fánach Bar, South Main St, Cork 19hrs.

Intercultural Sports, Health and Recreation Day including Sports challenges, club connections, treasure hunts and lots of fun. There will also be information stands and a meeting of key sports and recreation players in the area. Venue: Royal College of Surgeons, York Street, Dublin. Time 11- 17hrs. For further information please contact Des Tomlinson on 086 8590524 or des.tomlinson@fai.ie

Women from Minority Ethnic Communities in Ireland "Having Our Voices Heard" - this is the third of a series of roundtable discussions which are taking place nationwide to discuss issues and concerns faced by women from minority ethnic communities. Location: Mullaghmatt Family Resource Centre, Monaghan,Co Monaghan 10:30-13hrs. For further information contact Fionuala Cregan, fionuala@nccri.ie or 01 858 8000

Belfast Carnival Seminar: "The changing context for Carnival in Belfast." The seminar, which will discuss the role of carnival as a means of creating multicultural and intercultural space in the city, is organised by the Beat initiative, Belfast City Council, South Belfast Roundtable and Community Arts Forum. Venue: The Equality Commission, 7-9 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast. 13:45 - 16hrs. For further information contact Helen at beatadmin@mac.com or 90460863

Youth Festival for young people and youth groups in Bluebell, Inchicore and Rialto organised by the Canal Communities Project Regional Youth Service. The festival this year has an intercultural focus and new community families are particularly welcome. For more information contact CCRYS on 01 4738439

Intercultural BBQ - a cook off with teams representing different countries competing for hte title of Best BBQ Griller in the West. For further information contact Ernest Bishop at Galway City Partnership

"Killarney Le Cheile" Intercultural Festival The event will feature songs, music and dance from Ireland and other parts of the world; Stalls from various countries displaying their respective food, costumes, handicrafts, etc.; an exhibition hosted by Concern of families from different parts of the world; Sports and games, bouncy castle, face painting. As part of "KIllarney Le Cheile" Intercultural festival, a five day "Global Children's" Summer Camp will also be held from 30th June - 4th July - please book in advance as limited places available .For more information contact Marilyn Catapat-Counihan on 064 20705.

July:

BBQ and Art Picnic organised by the Irish Chinese Culture and Sport Organization in collaboration with the artists of the Ni Hao-Dia Dhuit cross cultural art project. Venue: Irish Museum of Modern Art's studios, Royal Hospital Kilmainham 13-17hrs

FESTAFRIQUE 2008 includes Art Exhibition, an African market, live music and a discussion forum on Integration of Africans and Irish of African descent within the Irish workforce with an emphasis on youth integration.

Flavours of Home

The Social Inclusion Unit, South Dublin County are currently working with poet, fiction writer and journalist Eileen Casey with a view of publishing ‘Flavours of Home’ in November, 2008.

A number of creative writing workshops will be organised, facilitated by Eileen Casey at:

• Tallaght Library: Tuesday, 15th July: 2:30-4pm
• South Dublin County Council Offices, Clondalkin Village: Wednesday, 16th July 11.00-2.00pm
• Lucan Library - Tuesday, 22nd July: 2.00-3:30pm

Flavours of home will be a cookbook with a difference. Together with delicious recipes from various parts of the world, memories connected to the preparation and eating of the food will be included. Through these intimate family portraits, the unique cultural and spiritual wealth of each individual community will emerge. Food is a great source of communal sharing of ideas and customs and is a great starting point for dialogue.

A selection will be made from the material gathered arising from these workshops. The cover of book will be drawn from open competition through schools so that young members of our communities will also be able to explore this theme.

We will be delighted if you could bring a small sample of the food which generates memories of home and the recipe.

If you are interested in attending any of these workshops please email mfinn@sdublincoco.ie or Tel: 086 3803060/01 4149000 ext 3366.

Family Day out in Farmleigh including visit to Farmeligh house and garden, picnic and games for children and adults organised by the Canal Communities Intercultural Centre. This is a free event although spaces are limited and allocated on a first come first serve basis. For further information contact clare@canalintercultural.com or 01 453 7239

Irish/Malian Concert - a night celebrating Irish and African musical connections featuring Afel Bocoum and Alikbar, Liam O’ Maonlaí, Paddy Keenan and Tinariwen. The concert will feature music from the documentary “Dambé – the Mali Project” which was screened and came runner up in the audience award at the Dublin International Film Festival 2008. The Filmakers, Luachra Productions and POD concerts and TBCT are staging the concert in meeting house square with both the Irish Musicians from the film and the Malian musicians they collaborated with. Tickets are €10 and on sale only at the Temple Bar Information Centre, 12 Eustace Street, Dublin 2. All Profits will go towards the Tuaret fund for development Taghreft Tinariwen and the Hospital of Niafunké (hometown of Afel and Alikbar). The concert is supported by NCCRI and DEIS/Arts Council of Ireland and Culture Ireland.

Meath Festival of Cultures. Celebrating world cultures, the festival will be host to three international events: the ever popular Min-World-Cup soccer tournament for men, the Mini-Olympics for children and an International Talent Contest for all age groups. Along with the competitions, there will be an array of other activities including ethnic music, dance, drama, arts & crafts, food and children’s entertainment. Festival Ambassador, Paul McGrath will officially open the event and will be present throughout the day to meet the public and to hand out prizes to the competition winners. The festival is organised by Meath Local Sports Partnership and RAPID Navan with assistance from Cultúr and Citizens’ Information Centre. It is funded by Meath County Council, St Stephen’s Green Trust and the Reception and Integration Agency. For more information contact the Festival Co-ordinator, Deirdre Patel on 087 759 2320 or visit the website www.meathfestival.ie

First annual Africa Day Awards organised by Metroeireann. The purpose of the evening will be to promote and celebrate linkages and relationships of solidarity between individuals and organisations in Ireland and in the countries of Africa. As part of this celebration, there will be a lecture on the Contributions of Irish Missionaries to Africa. The proposed Keynote Speaker is Chief Emeka Ojukwu - a well-known Nigerian politician, businessman and former Biafran Leader. Location: Dublin Castle, 18hrs. For further information, please contact Sara Huff on 01 878 3223 / 878 3441

John Hewitt International Summer School, Co Armagh. The theme of this year’s School, “Let there be no Wall” focuses on migration and interculturalism. The event will be opened by Ambassasdor for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue Anna Lo. MLA. For further information go to www.johnhewittsociety.org

Women from Minority Ethnic Communities in Ireland "Having Our Voices Heard" - this is the fourth of a series of roundtable discussions which are taking place in Ireland north and south to discuss issues and concerns faced by women from minority ethnic communities. Location: Donegal Traveller Project Centre, Pearce's Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal. For further information contact Fionuala Cregan, fionuala@nccri.ie or 01 858 8000 or Tinu Achioya 042 9352730 or tinu@nccri.ie

Seminar organised by Donegal Traveller Project: Building positive relationships between the media and Traveller and other ethnic minorities in Donegal. Guest Speakers include Professor John Horgan – Press Ombudsman, Martin Collins – Assistant Director – Pavee Point, National Traveller Organisation and Eamonn McCann – Journalist, Author and Political Activist. Venue: The Radisson Hotel, Letterkenny, Co Donegal 11-13hrs.

August:

Parnell Society Summer School 2008 - this years summer school will concentrate on education to mark the centenary of the Irish Universities Act and includes a number of discussions centering on some of the main contemporary issues in education such as the place of religions schooling, the impact of the "New Irish" on education and the politics of education in Northern Ireland. Speakers include Minister of State for Integration Conor Lenihan TD, Philip Watt NCCRI Director and Professor Aine Hyland, UCC. For further information go to www.parnellsociety.com

1000 Families exhibition organised by Concern Worldwide as part of the Building Unity Through Diversity Project. The exhibition which has been showcased in Dublin and Cork will travel to Belfast in August 2008. A number of events will take place around the exhibition including a Family & Cultural Day, a seminar discussing equality in the workplace and another seminar disucssing the perception of Africa in the media. For more information go to www.buildingunity.eu

Festival of World Cultures Dun Laoghaire - a feast of arts and culture with concerts and club nights, fairs and markets, dance, street events, workshops and much more. For more information visit www.festivalofworldcultures.com

Polish Irish Family Day to coincide with the final game of the 2008 Emerald Hoops International Basketball series. The Family Day forms part of South Dublin County Council schedule for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. There will be plenty of entertainment available for children, with face painting, polish dancing (including classes), and some basketball practice is also on the agenda. It will be an informative afternoon with general information available on Poland and the chance to listen to the excellent Polish bands currently residing in Ireland. The event will provide the perfect build-up to the final game of the 2008 Emerald Hoops International Series, where the senior men from Ireland will take on their Polish counterparts at 16hrs. This year's event will see Notre Dame participating in the inaugural Emerald Hoops international series alongside the senior international men's teams from Ireland, Poland and Iceland. The Notre Dame team will travel to Ireland on foot of another successful season in US college basketball. Venue: National Basketball Arena, Tallaght from 14-16hrs. For further information please contact Maria Finn at South Dublin County Council mfinn@southdublincoco.ie

Intercultural Storytelling Event with music and dance organised by the Africa Centre and the Integration of African Children in Ireland (IACI). A fun and entertaining afternoon for families! Venue: Africa Centre, Methodist Church, Abbey St, Dublin 1. 15-17hrs. For further information contact:nchedo@africacentre.ie or 01 865 6951

September:

Calypso Productions & Tower of Babel present "Fairytaleheart" by Philip Ridley in celebration of European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. A play inspired by young people and the young at heart !

A boy called Gideon is painting a fairytale backdrop in a candle-lit room. His objective is to transform this drab and dreary place into a magical theatre where he can create an alternative imaginary universe for himself; a girl called Kirsty meets him there. Initially they are at odds with each other but gradually the two young people begin to discuss their families and various problems associated with growing up. The play appeals to all age, particularly young people and features Keith Burke a young Irish actor and Joanna Sieracka a young Polish actress and member of Calypso’s Tower of Babel Intercultural Youth Group.

Venue: Project CUBE, Dublin at 20:15. 6 Performance ONLY. Tickets €10/€8 concessions available from Project Arts Centre Box Office: 01 881 9613/14. For more information about Calypso Productions and the Tower of Babel please visit www.calypso.ie or contact Claire McEwen, Company Manager on 01 679 2236.

The Talent Spectrum: Managing across the boundaries. This conference is hosted by the Public Appointments service and the Employer's Diversity Network and will feature key note speakers from public and private sector organizations in Ireland, Canada and the UK. The speakers will provide an overview of how the available workforce is changing and how this will impact on the way in which organizations attract, manage and retain people with the skills and talent that they need. Venue: Clontarf Castle, Dublin. For further information please contact Claire Nolan on 01 8587626 or visit www.publicjobs.ie.

7th North South Intercultural Forum. The theme for this Forum will focus on reporting and monitoring racist incidents and the support for victims. A number of key speakers from Government, agencies and leading NGOs working in this field North and South will make an input. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion. The Forum usually attracts 60/65 participants from across a range of sectors North and South. If you wish to participate in this event please send your details to: Tinu Achioya, Administrative Officer, NCCRI, SYNERGY North South Intercultural Initiative, 2/3 Jocelyn St, Dundalk Co Louth, E: tinu@nccri.ie or from T: 042 935 2730.

Sports Against Racism in Ireland (SARI) SOCCERFEST 2008. This is the 12th annual fun filled event for young people and this year in addition to soccer will include GAA hurling/football,athletics and tag-rugby. There will be male and female tournaments and teams should consist of no more than 10 players. Teams should register for the event by 18th August. For further information and an application form, contact SARI on 01 6688869 or info@sari.ie

Challenge of Change - a major cross border conference examining the challenges for the public and the community and voluntary sectors arising from extensive inward migration to Ireland, North and South. Speakers include Terry Waite. Venue: Park Inn Hotel, Dundalk, Co Louth 9:30-16hrs. For further information please contact Taucher McDonald, Louth County Council 042 9324225 or taucher.mcdonald@louthcoco.ie

Global Fair on Culture Night in Dublin. To celebrate European Year of Intercultural Dialogue a global fair will be held in Temple Bar enabling passers by to learn about the History, Culture and Traditions of countries from the Far East and Asia to Africa and Latin America. Stalls presenting crafts, music, books and exhibitions will line Cow's Lane from 17-20hrs. For further information go to www.culturenight.ie

Via Dolorosa - a play by David Hare based on his travels to Israel exploring the landscapes, ideologies and emotions of the region as well as the values and beliefs of Western Civilisation. Venue: Half Moon Theatre, Cork. For further information contact Caroline Sullivan on 021 4905207 or carolinesullivan@corkoperahouse.ie

Opportunities and Challenges: Minority Ethnic Communities and Development Education in Ireland is the theme of the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) annual conference. The aim of the conference is to develop a mutually effective dialogue between the development education sector and minority ethnic communities in Ireland as well as to assess the impact of minority ethnic communities on development education. Keynote speakers are Beni Oburu, Founder of Cultural Links and Eric Yao, Coordinator of the Africa Centre. Venue: Clarion Hotel, IFSC 9:45-16:30. For further information contact info@ideaonline.ie

October:

Towards an Intercultural Education Strategy - A one day conference organised by the Department of Education and Science in partnership with the Office of the Minister for Integration and the NCCRI. Keynote speakers include Mr Batt O'Keefe, TD, Minister for Education and Science and Mr Conor Lenihan, TD, Minister for Integation. Presentations of new research undertaken by the ESRI, the OECD and the Department of Education School Inspectorate will also be made. Places are limited and by invitation only. For further information contact Kate Morris on 01 858 8000 or kate@nccri.ie

Launch and Opening Ceremony of the Iraqi-Irish Society - the event will include food, music, dance, cultural presentations and gifts for children. Venue: The Teachers Club, Parnell Square, Dublin. For further information please contact Hyder Aswad on 085 72789979 or Hyder_Aswad@dell.com

Cork Multicultural Open Door Festival. A one week festival of events celebrating cultural diversity in Cork including art and photography exhibitions, food tastings, singing and dance workshops, film screenings and much more.

Launch of Research Report “Developing Quality Cost Effective Interpreting and Translating Services for Government Service Providers in Ireland.”The report is the result of research funded by the Office of the Minister for Integration and managed by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI). Venue: Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin 14hrs. RSVP to Zoe Thompson – email: zoe@nccri.ie / telephone: 01 8588000. Please inform Zoe of any access or other requirements, including the need for an interpreter.Places are limited

The Challenges of Integration in Post Celtic Tiger Ireland is the theme of a conference, organised by the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Among the speakers will be Mr Nickey Brennan, President of the GAA, Dr Lawrence Lee, ICI Board Member and businessman, Mr Danny McCoy, Director of Policy at IBEC, Mr Jim Power, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist at Friends First and Professor Rita Suessmuth, President of the German Parliament. Venue: Royal Irish Academy, Dawson St, Dublin. For further information, please contact Ruth Evans, communications@immigrantcouncil.ie or 01 645 8048.

Launch of research report "Building Integrated Neighbourhoods: Towards an Intercultural Appraoch to Housing Policy and Practice in Ireland." The report is the result of research funded by the National Action Plan Against Racism and the Department of Environment and Local Government and managed by NCCRI. The report will be launched at the Annual Housing Practioners Conference in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath.

To mark European Year of Intercultural Dialouge, Minorities, Crime and Justice is the theme of the 11th Annual Conference of Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD). The conference will provide an opportunity and a forum to reflect, review and debate the presence or absence of "tolerance and respect" for various categories of minorities who encounter the Irish Criminal Justice System as either victim or offender. The conference will bring together professionals, agencies, practitioners, academics and community workers from a wide range of disciplines from within the the Criminal Justice area whose expertise, experience, work and energies are focused on ensuring equal opportunities and non-discrimination for all. Venue: Tower Hotel Dublin, Tallaght. For further information please contact Geraldine Comerford on 01 6174864 or geraldine.comerford@acjrd.ie.

Training Day: Museums and New Communities

How has the new demographic landscape of Ireland been reflected in Irish Museums and galleries? What are the issues involved in broadening our understanding of community access to include newly arrived, and existing migrant communities? Have we as a sector focused on telling ‘our story’ to the exclusion of other historical narratives? What practical steps can we take to engage new communities and encourage their participation in the preservation of our shared material and intangible patrimony? These and other questions will be discussed at this one day Training for policy makers, educators, curators, tour guides, and anyone interested in advancing intercultural understanding through our cultural institutions. The training costs €15 for members of the Irish Museums Association and €25 for non-members. Venue: Science Gallery, Trinity College Dublin at 09:30. For further information contact Carla Marrinan at 01-6633579 or email ima@nqi.ie.

Cork Festival of Jewish Culture. The two day festival will include a klezmer dance and yiddish song workshop led by London based dancer Vivi Lachs with musical accompaniment by the Klezmer Klub, concerts by Irish based Klezmer groups: The FireFlies, Yurodny and the North Strand Klezmer Band. There will also be a talk on the history of the Jewish Community in Cork by UCC Professor Dermot Keogh and a screening of a film about the Jewish Community in Ireland “Shalom Ireland.” Venue: University College Cork. Concert tickets cost €10/ €15. For further information contact: corkjewishfestival@gmail.com or 086 3037623

Cleraun Media Conference: Facing the Challenges, Professional Integrity. To mark European Year of Intercultural Dialogue, a module of the conference will focus on "Reporting on Ethnic Minorities: Islam, Ireland North and South" with speakers David Gonzalez of the New York Times, Mary Fitzgerald of the Irish Times and Minister Jeffrey Donaldson, MP, MLA. Other modules will focus on Standards, Public Service Broadcasting and Investigative Journalism. Venue: Cleraun University Centre, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin. Prior registration is required. For further information contact 01 2881734, 086 8596052 or media@cleraun.com

Mini World Cup Tournament and Food Fest organised by the Information and Support Unit for New Communities, Waterford Sports Partnership and the Football Association of Ireland. Venue: Villa Grounds, Poleberry, Waterford City. For further information contact Beverly on 051 852564

Intercultural Dialogue and Adult Education - a conference organised by Aontas - the National Adult Learning Organisation. The conference will explore the concept of intercultural dialogue in the context of a rapidly changing Europe and in the Irish context. It will showcase the role of adult and community eduction in promoting intercultural dialogue through examples of good practice. Speakers include Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey, TD and Basy Quraishy, President of the European Network Against Racism. Venue: Grand Hotel Malahide, Co Dublin. 08:30 - 16:30. For further information go to www.aontas.com/conferences

Encouraging Diversity in Volunteering. A one day seminar organised by volunteering Ireland. This one day course is aimed at anyone who involves or plans to involve volunteers in their work. The course is aiming at exploring the issues of diversity and inclusion in volunteering primarily focusing on cultural, educational and social background issues. The course will look at issues such as understanding diversity, its implications and benefits, how diversity in volunteers can strengthen an organisation and look at practical strategies for managing diversity. Venue: Coleraine House, Colearaine St, Dublin 7. The training costs €100/€125/ For further information contact Zsé Varga, Training Programme Manager Volunteering Ireland, 18 Eustace Street, Dublin 2 (01)636 9455

Integration: a process, not a problem, a European Conference on the issues surrounding Migration and the Integration Process in Northern Ireland organisede by the South Tyrone Empowerment Programme. Day one will look at the Political and Practical aspects of Integration and Day two will look at Integration from an academic perspective. For further information go to www.stepni.org or call 028 87729002

November:

Community Development and Intercultural Dialogue - an international conference to examine the role and contribution of community development in the creation of an intercultural society. The conference will feature international and Irish speakers, field visits, a cultural showcase and more. Venue: Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. For further details please email intercultural@combatpoverty.ie

Hard Gospel Intercultural Training - training days for church members interested in acquiring the necessary awareness to understand and meet the challenges associated with living and working in an ethnically diverse society. Venue: Calry Parish Church, Co Slig. 10-16hrs. This is the first of series of trainings organised by Hard Gospel - the next trainings will take place in Down, Dublin and Limerick City. For further information go to www.hardgospel.net.

Shaping Interculturalism in Youth Work. A conference hosted by the National Youth Council of Ireland to discuss the challenges and barriers facing the youth sector as it embraces interculturalism as well as to showcase examples of successful youth projects. Venue: Crown Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin 9. For further information or to register contact Lisa Hyland on 01 4784122 or lisa@nyci.ie

December: