Intercultural and Anti-Racism Week 7-14th April, 2008
This year ‘Intercultural and Anti Racism Week’ will take place from the 7-14th April 2008. The theme this year is ‘Education’, focussing on all aspects of both formal and non-formal education. The NCCRI have produced a practical toolkit for all primary and secondary schools, including VECs and community colleges. This publication aims to assist in the co-ordination of practical school based activities, public awareness initiatives and a virtual city twinning exercise. For calendar of events and copy of the education publication see www.nccri.ie
Also as part of the Week, the NCCRI is pleased to announce:
- Over 90 events taking place across Ireland, North and Southin schools, universities and local communities throughout the country
- Please refer to the attached calendar of events for more information
- A local radio awareness campaign will be launched to promote the week this weekend
- A new production of ‘Through a Film Darkly’ Directed by Bisi Adigun (previous productions/interpretations of Playboy of the Western World; Kings of the Kilburn Highroad) will be performing until the 19th April with special school matinees. www.project.ie
- We are also wish to acknowledge and thank RTE which has recently announced a range of TV and radio programmes linked to the week and the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. Please go to www.rte.ie/diversity for more information
- The first Eastern European Business Forum in Ireland on 12 April in Dublin
- Poetry and short story competition for all schools north and south- winners announced on 9 April by the distinguished poet, Michael Longley in Belfast’s Linen Hall
- An international conference on religion and belief in changing and diverse organized by NUI Maynooth with the OSCE (attached)
Philip Watt, Director of the NCCRI stated ‘The key focus of the week is on education. Our schools are becoming more diverse particularly as a consequence of inward migration into Ireland. This diversity is to be welcomed but brings additional challenges for both schools and parents including:
- Sufficient number of schools and school places
- Recent events highlighted in Balbriggan and Blanchardstown serve as a warning on this issue
- Equality of access in school admission policies and avoiding the problems seen in Balbriggan last year
- Further supports for children for who English or Irish is not their first language and the appointment of intercultural liaison teachers
- Supports for teachers and schools including resources and training for new challenges arising out of increased diversity
- The need for more intercultural and multi faith schools including the new community primary schools and Educate Together schools as a choice to existing schools with one religious ethos
The Week is also part EU Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008. The week is funded by the National Action Plan against Racism/Office of the Minister for Integration. Events are taking place in Ireland North and South with our colleagues in the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.
For further information contact Philip Watt, Director NCCRI: or Kate Morris:
ENDS
