The
National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism
(NCCRI) was established in 1998 and is an independent expert body,
primarily funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform,
focusing on racism and interculturalism. This monthly e-bulletin is
designed to provide relevant and up to date information in the areas of
anti-racism and interculturalism. If you have information
about events, campaigns, initiatives or publications etc related to racism
and interculturalism in Ireland, we would like to hear from you. Please
note that the email bulletin goes out the second week of each month. To
send information or to subscribe/unsubscribe to this email bulletin,
please send email to jacqueline@nccri.ie.
Contents
1. Policy and Legislative Updates
- Government Legislative
Programme
- Call for Submissions
- Rise in Programme
Refugee Quotas
- Establishment of
Inter-Departmental Working Group on Immigration and
Asylum
- Law Reform Commission
Invites Suggestions
- Ireland Report to CEDAW
- Habitual Residence
Condition
- Guidelines to Treat
Muslim Patients
- EU Developments
2. Upcoming funding deadlines
- EU Funding
- Information Grants
Scheme for Voluntary and Community Organisations 2005
- Scheme of Grants to
Voluntary Organisations befriending, supporting and
including Asylum Seekers in Direct Provision resettled locally.
- Supports for Voluntary
& Community Groups
3. Events and initiatives
- World Refugee Day Awards
2005- Award Ceremony
- Follow up on CERD
- NCCRI Anti-Racism and
Intercultural Awareness Training for Trainers
Programme
- The Role of Immigrant
Led Community and Voluntary Organisations
- Immigrant Council of
Ireland Launch of Submission
- Seminar on Housing -
Irish Refugee Council and Threshold
- Democracy Commission
National Consultative Conference
- Winners of the MAMA
Awards 2005
- ENAR Conference
- For Diversity-Against
Discrimination EU Journalist Award 2005
4. Jobs/Tenders
- Work Placement Scheme
with Department of Communications
5. Publications and Resources
Government Legislative Programme
Employment Permits Bill
2005
An
Employment Permits Bill is due to be published before summer recess
(1 July 2005) which will govern the issue of all employment permits for
nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). The Bill will
put the existing employment permit administrative arrangements on a
legislative footing.
Outline Policy Proposals
for an
Immigration and Residence Bill
A
discussion document entitled Immigration and Residence in Ireland has
been published by the Minister. Copies of the document are available
from the Government Publications Office at a cost of €10.00. A
summary document is also available at a cost of €2.00. Both
documents can be downloaded from the Department of Justice, Equality
and Law Reform website - www.justice.ie.
Submissions should be sent by
post in an envelope marked Immigration and Residence in Ireland to:
Immigrant and Citizenship Policy Unit, Department of Justice, Equality
and Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 or email:
immigrationpolicy@justice.ie.
The closing date for receipt of
submissions is Friday 29 July 2005. See www.justice.ie/80256E010039C5AF/vWeb/pcJUSQ6BDERE-en
Call for Submissions
Legal Aid Board Corporate
Plan Review
The
Legal Aid Board has statutory responsibility for the provision of
legal aid and advice to persons of modest means. The Board provides
legal advice and assistance to asylum seekers at all stages of the
asylum process through the Refugee Legal Service located in Dublin,
Cork and Galway. The Legal Aid Board are currently reviewing their
Corporate Plan and seek submissions from interested parties. The
current Corporate Plan and further information is available on their
website at www.legalaidboard.ie.
Submissions may be sent by post, fax
or email to Mr. Eamonn Collins, HR Section, Legal Aid Board, 47 Upper
Mount Street, Dublin 2. Tel. 01-644 1907 or email:
ecollins@legalaidboard.ie
. Closing date for receipt of submissions is
Friday 24th of June 2005.
1. Broadcasting
Complaints Commission
The
Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has launched a public
consultation process on its policy for statutory news and current
affairs requirements for independent radio stations. This
policy
review is being undertaken in light of the Commission’s plans
to
license further radio stations and in the context of its key policy
objective of guaranteeing a diversity of radio services to
listeners. The closing date for receipt of submissions is
Friday
1st July. A copy of the consultation document can be accessed
through the Commission’s website on www.bci.ie
or Tel. 01 6441200.
2. Barriers Facing Ethnic
Minority
Enterpreneurs
EMERGE
is a partnership of several organisations interested in
enterprise support, who have come together to support ethnic minority
entrepreneurs who wish to establish or develop businesses in the Irish
market. They are currently developing a pilot action programme to
address the various barriers facing EME's and are seeking submissions
from interested parties. Submissions should be made on or before Friday
24th June 2005. More information on www.activelink.ie/ce/active.php?id=1692
3. Arts Council Draft
Strategy
The Arts
Council new strategy will be published in September. This
month the Council provided a draft of its strategy. The draft draws
extensively on the findings of a series of themed meetings and
discussions with the arts community and with individuals working
outside the arts. A public call for views, advertised on 26 February
also resulted in 96 written submissions being made to the Council on
the theme: the arts in Ireland, what do you think? As part of a second
phase of the process, the Council is calling for views on the draft and
its policy papers by 1 July 2005. A series of small meetings will also
be held in Dublin, Sligo and Cork in June to look at the draft. Copies
of the draft are available to download from www.artscouncil.ie
or by
contacting Mary Ellen Greene on 01 6180 230.
4. Review of Employment
Agency Act
1971
On foot
of an undertaking given in Sections 18.5,18.6 and 18.7 of
"Sustaining Progress-the Social Partnership Agreement 2003-2005"
concerning the Review of the Employment Agency Act 1971 a Discussion
Paper was circulated in May 2004 and submissions received on it from
interested persons and organisations. Taking account of the submissions
received a White Paper has been prepared on the Review of the
Employment Agency Act 1971 and this White Paper is available on the
Department's website at:
www.entemp.ie/emplovment/rights/index.htm.
Submissions on the
White Paper are herby invited from interested persons and
organisations. Submissions should be sent electronically act@entemp.ie
or by post to Employment Agencies Section, Department of Enterprise,
Trade and Employment, Davitt House, 65 A Adelaide Road, Dublin 2.
Submissions should be made by 15th July 2005.
Rise in Programme Refugee
Quotas
The
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform gained approval from
Cabinet to increase the number of refugees taken into Ireland under a
UN resettlement programme. 40 Programme refugees are taken in at
present and it is expected that this will rise to 200. Programme
refugees are pre-selected refugees accepted into the State under UN
resettlement programmes as distinct from Convention refugees who are
granted refugee status after having applied for asylum having made
their own way to Ireland. Programme refugees have already established
they are refugees in need of international protection.
Establishment of
Inter-Departmental
Working Group on Immigration and
Asylum
The
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform gained approval from
Cabinet to establish an interdepartmental working group to oversee the
arrival and integration of new refugees into Irish society. The working
group will work with existing immigration and refugee agencies
including the Reception and Integration Agency and the proposed
immigrant integration unit to be set up in the context of the planned
establishment of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
(INIS). For more information see www.justice.ie
Law Reform Commission
Invites
Suggestions
The new
president of the Law Reform Commission has called for members
of the public to suggest areas of law that should be overhauled or
amended. Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness said she wanted to ensure
that the commission's work was "relevant'' to people's lives. Mrs.
McGuinness took over as president of the Law Reform Commission (LRC) in
March 2005. The LRC has produced more than 70 reports since its
establishment in 1975 and many of its recommendations have been
incorporated into civil and criminal legislation. For more information
on the LRC see www.lawreform.ie
Ireland’s Report to
CEDAW
The
Committee of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women (CEDAW) will examine Ireland's combined fourth and fifth
report on Wednesday, 13 July 2005. To view Ireland’s report
see
www.justice.ie
Habitual Residence
Condition
The
European Commission has raised concerns about the Habitual
Residence Condition which denies people social welfare unless they have
been habitually resident for two years. The Minister for Social and
Family Affairs, Mr. Seamus Brennan, ordered a review of the HRC in
February following reports of hardship amongst migrant workers from the
accession states. It was reported in the Irish Times in June that the
European Commission plans to visit Ireland in September to investigate
the HRC.
Guidelines to Treat
Muslim Patients
to be Distributed
Guidelines
for treating Muslim patients are to be distributed to
hospitals in the State. Protocols will go online through Our Lady of
Lourdes Hospital while also being distributed to nursing heads
nationwide. The guidelines are entitled Care of the Muslim Patient and
are edited by Philip Larkin. For more information on the guidelines,
contact the Islamic Foundation of Ireland on Tel. 01-453 3242.
EU Developments
2007 to be "European Year
of Equal
Opportunities for All"
The
European Commission has designated 2007 as 'European Year of Equal
Opportunities for All' as an effort to promote equality and
non-discrimination in the EU. The European Year is the centrepiece of a
framework strategy designed to ensure that discrimination is
effectively tackled, diversity is celebrated and equal opportunities
for all are promoted. The strategy is set out in a Communication
adopted by the European Commission. The Year's proposed budget of
€13.6 million will cover preparatory actions in 2006 as well
as
the various activities taking place during the European Year itself in
2007.
In
addition to the European Year, new initiatives announced by the
Communication include:
a
feasibility study to look at possible new measures to complement
existing EC anti-discrimination legislation; the creation of a
high-level advisory group to look at the social and labour market
integration of minorities, including the Roma. Gender issues will be
taken on board in the context of the European Year and the
non-discrimination strategy. This will complement the EU's specific
efforts on gender equality and sex discrimination, including the
proposed Gender Institute and the Communication on gender equality
planned for 2006.
For
further information see
europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/index_en.htm
New Commission
Communication on
Non-discrimination and equal
opportunities for all - A framework strategy
One of
the key challenges facing the enlarged European Union is the
need to develop a coherent and effective approach to the social and
labour market integration of ethnic minorities. Enlargement has
increased the EU’s diversity in terms of culture, language
and
ethnicity. This trend is set to continue with the accession of Bulgaria
and Romania in 2007, as well as the planned opening of negotiations for
membership with Croatia and Turkey. In order to support policy
development in this area, the Commission plans to establish a
high-level advisory group on social and labour market integration of
disadvantaged ethnic minorities. This group, which should meet for the
first time in early 2006, will bring together a limited number of
eminent personalities from the world of politics, business, civil
society and the international community.
New EU Fundamental Rights
Agency
The
European parliament has approved a plan to set up a new EU
Fundamental Rights agency amid concerns about its duplication with
other bodies. MEPs voted overwhelmingly on 26 May in favour of a
strong, independent, effective and cost-effective agency. The agency
has been promoted by the European Commission as a body which would help
to monitor and promote protection of human rights, mainly with the
prospects of Charter of Fundamental Rights becoming a legally binding
document, included in the EU constitution. However if the new European
Constitution is not ratified by the required number of EU states, it
has been argued that the proposed new agency will lose some of its
political significance. The European Commission will present its
legislative proposal on the political and geographical scope and tasks
of the new body by the end of June. The agency is expected to start
operating in Vienna, incorporating the European Monitoring Centre on
Racism and Xenophobia, at the beginning of 2007.
Framework Decision Placed
on the
Backburner Again
The
European Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs did not reach an
agreement on the Framework Decision on Combating Racism and Xenophobia
during their meeting in Luxembourg on June 2 2005.
ECRI Annual Report On
Activities 2004
The
European Commission on Racism and Intolerance, Annual report on
Activities 2004, is now available at www.coe.int.
ECRI's second
report on Ireland was adopted in 2001. Ireland's third report
will be completed in 2007. The third round reports focus on
“implementation”. They examine if ECRI’s
main
recommendations from previous reports have been followed and
implemented, and if so, with what degree of success and effectiveness.
The third round reports deal also with “specific
issues”,
chosen according to the different situations in the various countries,
and examined in more depth in each report. ECRI this week released five
new reports on racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and intolerance of its
third monitoring cycle on Albania, Croatia, Poland, Sweden and the
United Kingdom.
Public Hearing on the
Green Paper on
Managing Economic Migration 14
June 2005
The
European Commission Hearing on Economic Migration took place on the
14 June 2005 in Brussels. The press release and speech by Commissioner
Spidla are available at
europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/news/intro/news_intro_en.htm
The
Commission is still in the process of putting online the
submissions received under the consultation process. Some can already
be found on this website:
www.europa.eu.int/[shortened
link].htm
EU-Funding
- Support towards the
operating cost of a European level
non-governmental organisations representing and defending the rights of
Roma people
europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/fundamental_rights/callspt/calls_en.htm
- Integration for
Third-Country Nationals - Call for Proposals 2005 -
INTI Preparatory Actions
www.enar-eu.org/en/funding/calls.shtml
- The EUMC has published a
call for expression of interest for experts
in the field of equality and non-discrimination, racism, xenophobia,
antisemitism and other related topics
http://www.eumc.eu.int/eumc/[shortened
link]
Information Grants Scheme
for
Voluntary and Community Organisations 2005
Comhairle
is the national agency for supporting the provision of
information, advice and advocacy on social services. The Grants Scheme
for 2005 will promote innovative measures to target groups that may
experience social exclusion. Particular consideration will be given to
projects that address the information needs of older people. Comhairle
invites applications from voluntary and community organisations for
grant aid for projects that respond to emerging information needs and
provide access to information for groups who may not be using
mainstream services. As this is a national scheme, priority will be
given to projects which have a national dimension or application and
are linked to national or regional networks. The maximum grant payable
is €20,000. A small number of once-off grants will be awarded
to
projects which meet the criteria. Application forms and further
information on the criteria are available on line at www.comhairle.ie
or from Information and Advice Manager Tel: 01 6059000. Email:
informationgrants@comhairle.ie.
Closing date for receipt of completed
applications is Thursday 30th June 2005.
Scheme of Grants to
Voluntary Organisations befriending, supporting and
including Asylum Seekers in Direct Provision resettled locally.
The
Small Grants Scheme 2005 provides funding to voluntary
organisations or individuals which assist asylum seekers, living
locally in direct provision centres, to settle in the area and which
seek to promote intercultural events and activities between asylum
seekers and the local community. Groups may apply for funding (on
separate application forms) for a number of projects. As the amount of
funding under this scheme is limited, the maximum grant available to
each qualifying applicant is 70% of the cost of the proposed project up
to a ceiling of €6,000.
Individuals
or voluntary groups applying for assistance under this
scheme do not have to be a limited company or a registered charity.
However, they must provide the following a completed application form
and a current Tax Clearance Certificate (obtainable from your local
Regional Tax Office) or a CHY No., if the group is a registered
charity. For further information contact Reception and Integration
Agency, Integration Unit, Block C, Ardilaun Centre, 112-114 St.
Stephen's Green West, Dublin 2. Telephone: 01 - 4183200; Fax: 01 -
4183271 or Freefone: 1890 77 77 27
Supports for Voluntary
&
Community Groups
Applications
are now invited from Community and Voluntary Groups for
funding under the 2005 Programme of Grants for Locally-Based Community
and Voluntary Organisations. The Programme offers two schemes of
once-off grants to local community and voluntary organisations for
Equipment and Refurbishment of Premises and/or Education, Training and
Research. Grants will be made to a range of local voluntary and
community organisations/groups with a focus on addressing disadvantage
in their communities.
Application
forms and further information are available from the
Department's website at www.pobail.ie
or Tel. (01) 6473236/ 6473237/
6473238/ 6473239. The closing date for receipt of applications is 4th
August 2005.
World Refugee Day Awards 2005 – Award Ceremony
The
World Refugee Day Awards in Ireland publicly recognizes and
highlights the vital contribution made by refugees, asylum seekers and
local communities who actively promote a positive model of integration
and who work for the protection and promotion of the rights of new
communities. The Awards play a crucial role in reflecting often
unrecognized interaction and work of many groups and individuals from
both communities, whilst acknowledging the difficulties and
uncertainties faced by many asylum seekers and refugees.
The
World Refugee Day Awards is an initiative of the African Refugee
Network, the NCCRI, Reception and Integration Agency, Dublin City
Council, Integrating Ireland, CREATE, SPIRASI and the UNHCR
representation in Ireland. The Lord Mayor of Dublin will present the
awards to the winners on Thursday 16th of June at 7pm in the Civic
Offices, Dublin City Council, Woodquay, Dublin 8. Free parking is
available. The key message of this year’s World Refugee Day
is
“It Takes Courage to be a Refugee”. To find out
more about
World Refugee Day log onto www.unhcr.ch/wrd
Follow up on CERD
The
National Traveller Women's Forum, Galway Refugee Group, and the
Community Workers Co-0perative are organising a seminar to look at the
outcomes from the CERD meeting and to develop future actions. The
seminar will take place on the 7th of July in Galway – venue
to
be confirmed. For further information contact Cathryn Mannion, NTWF at
cathrynmannion@eircom.net
NCCRI Anti-Racism and
Intercultural
Awareness Training for Trainers
Programme
The
Anti-Racism and Intercultural Awareness Training for Trainers
programme is a two-day training programme targeted at people who have a
background in training and facilitation and who can demonstrate an
interest and knowledge of anti-racism and interculturalism. There are
15 places available on each training programme. Due to the significant
demand for the programme, participants will be selected through an
application process. The cost per participant for two days is
€150. The training will take place on the following dates:
|
July
2005:
|
Tuesday 19th and
Wednesday 20th
Tuesday 26th and
Wednesday 27th
|
|
August
2005
|
Tuesday 9th and
Wednesday 20th
Tuesday
23rd and Wednesday 24th
|
For
further information contact Kensika Monshengwo, Training and
Resource Officer, NCCRI at 01-858 8000 or kensika@nccri.ie
The Role of Immigrant-Led
Community
and Voluntary Organisations
The
launch of a research report “Diversity, Civil Society
&
Social Change in Ireland: A North-South Comparison of the Role of
Immigrant-Led Community and Voluntary Organisations” will
take
place on Thursday 23rd of June from 11am to 12.30pm at the Royal Irish
Academy Office, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. The research report was
conducted by Alice Feldman, Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa, Ann Nolan
&
Carmen Frese (University College Dublin). Speakers include: Rory
O'Donnell, Director of the National Economic & Social Council;
Robin Wilson, Director of Democratic Dialogue, Joanna McMinn, Director
of the National Women's Council, and Rotimi Adebari, Elected member of
Portlaoise Town Council. RSVP essential to facilitate arrangements.
Please contact Ruth Henry (716 4615; ruth.henry@ucd.ie)
by Friday, 17
June.
Immigrant Council of
Ireland Launch
of Submission
The
Immigrant Council of Ireland is having a public discussion on the
Government proposals for a new Immigration and Residence Bill in
Ireland. It will take place on Thursday 30th of June from 10.30am to
1.30pm in the Westbury Hotel, Grafton Street, Dublin 2. At the event
the ICI will be launching a briefing pack which provides an analysis of
the Government’s recent proposals, an outline of the
ICI’s
response to Government proposals and a glossary of migration related
terms. www.immigrantcouncil.ie
Seminar on Housing -
Irish Refugee
Council and Threshold
The
Irish Refugee Council and Threshold will be holding a seminar on
housing with a particular focus on the private rented sector on
Wednesday 6th July 2005. The purpose of the seminar is to inform
participants drawn from organisations working on behalf of immigrants
and individual immigrants themselves, on their housing rights
and
responsibilities under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004. Threshold
staff will be available to individuals seeking advice immediately after
the seminar. For further information please contact Nichola Clancy at
Threshold on 01 678 6310 / nichola@threshold.ie
or Itayi Viriri at the
Irish Refugee Council on 01-873 0042 / itayi@irishrefugeecouncil.ie.
Democracy Commission
National
Consultative Conference
The
Democracy Commission is holding National Consultative Conferences
in Dublin on June 29th and in Belfast on July 1st. At these events it
will present its key findings and perspectives on a range of issues,
prior to finalising its conclusions and recommendations. The
major themes it will address include Active Democratic Citizenship and
Citizenship Education; Strengthening Local Government; Issues
influencing voter turnout; the role of the media in protecting and
enhancing democracy. The Commission has entered the last phase of its
work programme and will be launching it final report and
recommendations this autumn. This conference will take place in Liberty
Hall, Eden Quay, Dublin 1 and will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm. A light
lunch will be provided on the day. To book a place at either event
please contact Phil McCaughey on democracycommission@tascnet.ie
or on +
353 1 6169082. Submissions to the Democracy Commission are now on line.
To view see www.democracycommission.ie
Winners of the MAMA
Awards 2005
The
Winners of the Metro Eireann Media and Multicultural Awards 2005
were announced on May 29 in Cork. The MAMA Awards gives special credit
to media, groups, projects and individuals that reflect and raise
awareness of Ireland’s changing multicultural society.
Winners
included the Drogheda Independent, Palmerstown Community School and
General Practice in a Multicultural Society Project. Information on the
seven award winners can be obtained by Tel. 01-869 0670 or email:
awards@metroeireann.com
ENAR Conference
European
Network Against Racism (ENAR) will hold a conference on
Strategic Litigation: A Tool for Strengthening Anti-Discrimination
Legislation on 1-2 July 2005 in Greater London Authority, City Hall,
the Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA. For further information
contact
Jean O Connor, at jean@enar-eu.org
or log onto www.enar-eu.org
For
Diversity-Against
Discrimination EU Journalist Award 2005
In the
framework of the prize ceremony, Commissioner Špidla
launched the second edition of the EU Journalist Award. This
year’s award features a new award category: photo journalism.
Interested journalists from the fields of online, print and photo
journalism may now submit their entries at www.stop-discrimination.info.
Work Placement Scheme with Department of Communications
The
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources are
running a pilot Equality Work Placement scheme during the summer
months. This scheme offers members of the Traveller community
and
refugee/new citizens in Ireland the opportunity of working in the
Department. There are two places on offer to refugee/new citizens, one
of which requires a basic knowledge of accounts or financial
work. The positions available are all office based in Dublin
and
good computer skills would be useful.
The
duration of the placement will be 10 weeks and commence end of
June/early July.
The pay
on offer is the first point of the Clerical Officer scale which
is €373.58 p/w. If you are interested in applying
for this
placement please contact Ms. Yvonne Joyce, Human Resource Division,
Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, 29/31
Adelaide Road, Dublin 2 or via email mailto:yvonne.joyce@dcmnr.gov.ie
on or before the 24th June 2005.
NCCRI: Submission
to the Department of Foreign Affairs on the Second
Monitoring Cycle of the Framework Convention in relation to the
preparation of Ireland’s Second Report.
May 2005. www.nccri.ie
Comhairle:
Entitlements
for People with Disabilities 2005.
www.comhairle.ie
Amnesty
International Annual Report 2005
www.amnesty-eu.org
Combat
Poverty Agency: Policy Statement:
Ending
Child Poverty. See
www.cpa.ie
Combat
Poverty Agency: Policing and Social
Marginalisation in Ireland.
www.combatpoverty.ie
Ruhama: Next Step
Initiative Report.
www.ruhama.ie
Department
of Education and Science: Introducing
Your Second
Level
School. www.education.ie
Department
of Education and Science: Delivering
Equality of
Opportunity
in Schools (DEIS) Programme. www.education.ie
City of
Dublin Vocational Educational Committee/Pavee Point Travellers
Centre/Roma Support Group: Roma
Educational Needs in
Ireland. Available
from CDVEC or Pavee Point. www.paveepoint.ie
Irish
Refugee Council: Asyland Issue 11.
Available to purchase from IRC
or Easons. Also exhibition of photographs by Howard Davies entitled
“Asyland” at Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. To
view some
of Davies work see www.exileimages.co.uk
Arun
Kundnani: ID
cards: implications for Black, Minority Ethnic,
migrant and refugee communities www.irr.org.uk/2005/may/ak000010.html
European
Network Against Racism (ENAR): Annual
Report 2004. www.enar-eu.org/en/publication/Annual_ENAR_2004_B.pdf
Websites
Embrace
Northern Ireland (NI)
www.embraceni.org
Residents
Against Racism Ireland
www.residentsagainstracism.org
Migrants
Right Centre Ireland
www.mrci.ie
Pavee
Point Travellers Centre new look website
www.paveepoint.ie
