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
- Recruitment of Ethnic Minorities into An Garda Siochana
- Residency Granted to Families of Irish Born Children
- Call for Submissions
- EU Developments
2. Upcoming funding deadlines
- EU Funding
- Accessing Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
- Anti-Racism Soccer Grants
3. Events and initiatives
- International Conference: Providing public services to minority ethnic groups
- A Traveller's Ireland: National Photography Competition
- Diversity in Broadcasting
- SARI Annual Soccerfest
- Conference on Diversity and Volunteering
- Conference – Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice
- Conference on Racism: Challenged by Difference: Threat or Enrichment?
- Debate: How Welcoming Does Ireland Want to Be?
- Irish Human Rights Commission Conference
- Gallery Talk: Just who do you think you are?
- Dublin Fringe Festival
4. Jobs / Tenders
- NCCRI: Information & Communications Officer
- Volunteer Vacancies with Migrant Rights Centre Ireland
- Vacancies with PICUM
5. Publications and Resources
Government Legislative Programme
Immigration and Residence Bill
The closing date for receipt of submissions to the Immigration and Residence in Ireland (April 2004) was Friday 29 July 2005. To view some of the submissions made to the Irish Government on the issue see:
NCCRI www.nccri.ie/policy-submissions.html#2004
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland www.mrci.ie
Immigrant Council of Ireland www.immigrantcouncil.ie
Irish Refugee Council www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie/
Irish Council for Civil Liberties www.iccl.ie
Amnesty International www.amnesty.ie
Irish Business and Employers Confederation: www.ibec.ie
Irish Human Rights Commission www.ihrc.ie
National Women's Council of Ireland www.nwci.ie
Employment Permits Bill 2005
The Employment Permits Bill was published at the end of June 2005. It governs 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. To view Minister Martin's Press Release and a link to the Bill see www.entemp.ie/press/2005/20050629b.htm
Recruitment of Ethnic Minorities into An Garda Siochana
The Government is to launch a recruitment campaign to increase numbers joining the Garda from ethnic minorities. A working group to examine the recruitment project is being set up with representatives from Garda management, the Public Appointments Commission and the NCCRI. An information campaign involving media advertisements, distribution of promotional material among ethnic minorities and internet-based promotions will be launched next month. It is anticipated that educational standards for applicants will be changed to cater for recruits who don't speak Irish. In future they will have to speak two languages, of which English or Irish must be one. It is anticipated that all Gardai will still be required to have proficiency in the Irish language before they complete training/probationary period, so the commitment to the Irish language will continue to be a key part of being a Garda officer. There will also be residency requirements for applying to join An Garda Siochana, details of which will be published shortly. The final details of the proposed changes are still being finalised and are due to be brought before the next meeting of the Cabinet for approval in September. An information campaign involving advertisements and distribution of promotional material among ethnic minorities will be launched in September. For more information contact the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office on Tel. 01-666 3150 or view www.publicjobs.ie or www.garda.ie
NCCRI will be organising a public information day for those interested in joining the Gardaí. The provisional date for this meeting is Friday 7, October, 2005 (to be confirmed).
Residency Granted to Families of Irish Born Children
More than 10,000 non-EU national parents of Irish-born children have been granted permission to remain in the State for at least the next two years, with around 100 refused permission. The Department of Justice confirmed that of 18,000 parents who applied for leave to remain, 10,600 had been successful. The new scheme was introduced following the citizenship referendum in June last year where the law was changed so that children born to non-national parents were no longer entitled to automatic citizenship.
The system requires applicants to provide personal details, their immigration history and details of their Irish-born children. The form also includes a statutory declaration to the effect that if granted permission to remain, the applicant will not engage in criminal activity and will make every effort to become financially independent and accept there is no entitlement to family reunification. Those permitted to stay can remain for an initial two-year period and are entitled to work. The renewal of permission, which may be for three more years, will be subject to their being economically viable. After this five-year period, the person can apply for full citizenship.
Call for Submissions
The Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen TD recently launched the Report of the Expert Advisory Group on Workplace Bullying. The report is available from Government Publications or on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website on www.entemp.ie/employment/osh/bullying.htm The Minister invites the views of interested parties on how best to implement the Expert Advisory Group's recommendations. You can submit your views by email to reportonworkplacebullying@entemp.ie by 30 September 2005.
EU Developments
European Year of Equal Opportunities for All
ENAR's 21st Fact Sheet concerns the European Commission's June 2005 proposal to designate 2007 as 'European Year of Equal Opportunities for All'. This follows on from similar initiatives such as the 2003 European Year of People with Disabilities and marks the tenth anniversary of the 1997 European Year against Racism. The initiative is a response by the Commission to the call for enhanced public awareness initiatives during its consultation on the Green Paper on equality and non-discrimination in an enlarged EU. The designation of the 2007 Year is part of the overall Framework Strategy on non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all, which outlines the core activities currently planned by the Commission. Access the ENAR Factsheet on
www.enar-eu.org/...Long Link...
European Commission Initiatives Related to Migration
The Commission this week presented several new initiatives related to migration issues. A proposal for a Regulation on Community statistics on migration and international protection is available on
europa.eu.int/rapid/...Long Link...
A proposal for a Directive on common standards for return and a package of three Communications: on 'A Common Agenda for Integration: Framework for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals in the European Union', on Migration and Development, and on Regional Protection Programmes available on
europa.eu.int/...Long Link...
EU Funding
The Community Action Programme in the field of Education SOCRATES - General Call for Proposals 2006
www.enar-eu.org/en/funding/calls/2005-11-01.shtml
Mapping study on existing national legislative measures – and their impact in - tackling discrimination
www.enar-eu.org/en/funding/calls/2005-09-12.shtml
Accessing Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Ireland is a signatory to many legal instruments that protect economic, social and cultural rights, yet it is clear that many communities and people in poverty do not have equal access to these rights. Little direct link was made between the world of human rights and access to basic social and civic services for people experiencing poverty. The Combat Poverty Agency is funding anti-poverty groups to create spaces to develop a rights-based approach to accessing such rights and entitlements. The deadline for applications is 23 September 2005. For further information contact Elaine Houlihan, Tel: (01) 602 6642 email: houlihane@cpa.ie
Anti-Racism Soccer Grants
Funding is available to community groups in Ireland and the UK from funds raised as part of the sale of Stand Up Speak Up wristbands. The funding is being distributed by the King Baudouin Foundation to support anti-racism projects across Europe. The Football Foundation charity has been awarded 1.46 million euro from the King Baudouin Foundation to give to Irish and UK groups to tackle racism. For more information see www.footballfoundation.org.uk and deadline for applications is October 28 2005.
International Conference: Providing public services to minority ethnic groups
The NCCRI, in association with the Centre for Cross Border Studies, the Institute for Conflict Research, and Organization and Social Development Consultants Ltd, will be organising a major international conference on intercultural service provision in Belfast on 24 March 2006. This conference will present the preliminary findings of a transnational research project on Providing public services to minority ethnic groups which examines how public authorities provide services for ethnic and immigrant groups within the prescribed legal framework in three jurisdictions: Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. This research commissioned by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (Northern Ireland) from the Centre for Cross Border Studies, is being carried out by the NCCRI, the Institute for Conflict Research (Belfast) and Organization and Social Development Consultants Ltd (Edinburgh) Further information about the project is available at
www.nccri.ie/north-south.html
A Traveller's Ireland: National Photography Competition
Pavee Point Travellers Centre is holding a National Photography Competition, to capture in a photo the everyday lives of Travellers in Ireland. Winning entries will be exhibited in Filmbase, Temple Bar as part of Traveller Focus Week which will happen from December 3rd to 10th 2005. Competition is open to all photographers, digital and analogue. Competitors must complete online entrance form before submitting entry / sending in work. Closing date is 11 November 2005. For more information see www.paveepoint.ie
Diversity in Broadcasting
A cable television channel for the greater Dublin area is to broadcast the country's first dedicated Polish programme. City Channel hosts a show entitled "Oto Polska" to give viewers a chance to catch up on political, cultural, entertainment, news and sports events from Poland. The Channel are planning other programmes for ethnic groups such as Filipino, Russian and Chinese programmes. The City Channel is due on air by the end of this month. For further information log onto www.city.ie
SARI Annual Soccerfest
Sport Against Racism in Ireland annual soccerfest will take place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September 2005 in the Phoenix Park sports grounds Dublin city centre. This year's event will be limited to 32 teams and will have the same format as last year. For further information contact Frank Buckley Co-ordinator on Tel. 087 2445154. www.sari.ie
Conference on Diversity and Volunteering
"Diversity and Volunteering – How to enrich your volunteer programme by embracing diversity" is the theme of a conference which will take place on 14 November from 9.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. in the Clarion Hotel, Cork City. Further information available from Volunteering Ireland, Tel: 01 8722622 www.volunteeringireland.ie or email: info@volunteeringireland.ie
Conference – Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice
The Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice will hold a one-day conference on "The Future of Europe – Uniting Vision, Values and Citizens?" on Tuesday 27 September 2005 in the Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin. Speakers include An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, Peter Sutherland, Brigid laffan, Davis Begg. The conference chair will be John Bowman, broadcaster and historian. For further information contact David O Gorman, EU Project Co-ordinator, CFJ at Tel. 01-855 6814 or email: dogorman@cfj.ie
Conference on Racism: Challenged by Difference: Threat or Enrichment?
The conference will take place on the 18-19 November 2005 in the Dromantine Conference Centre, Newry. The conference will focus on listening to the experiences of minority ethnic people, acknowledging the issue of racism, learning and sharing about anti-racist initiatives and committing to action. The keynote speaker is Dr. Sahr Yambasu. It is organised by the All-Ireland Churches' Consultative Meeting on Racism (AICCMR) for the Irish Inter-Church Meeting. The conference is by invitation only and limited to 100 delegates If you are interested in attending or finding out more about this conference, please send an e-mail to: scott.boldt@btconnect.com or contact Scott Boldt 028 (048 from republic) 90 66 31 45 ext. 27.
Debate: How Welcoming Does Ireland Want to Be?
The Economic and Social Research Council are hosting a debate on Wednesday 7th of September 2005 from 6 to 8pm in the National College of Ireland, Dublin on how to achieve an effective and sustainable labour immigration policy in Ireland. For more information email esrc@vistaevents.co.uk. For more information about the ESRC see
www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk
Irish Human Rights Commission Conference
The Irish Human Rights Commission and the Law Society of Ireland are hosting a joint annual conference on Migrant Workers and Human Rights on Saturday 15th of October at Blackhall Place, Dublin 7. It will address the challenges and issues facing migrant workers in Ireland, how Ireland is responding to those challenges and the extent to which the rights of migrant workers and their families are respected in our legislation and migration policies. Speakers include Mr. Prasad Kariyawasam chairperson of the UN Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families, Bruce Morrison, Cathryn Costello and Piaras MacEinri. For further information see www.ihrc.ie
Gallery Talk:Just who do you think you are?
Temple Bar Gallery and Studios in collaboration with CREATE asks the question "Just who do you think you are?" in a panel discussion of that title on Thursday September 8th at 6.30pm. The talk will probe whether Irish society is actually embracing the concept of a more pluralistic, open and accepting culture. The discussion is a parallel event to artist Mark Clare's exhibition Know Thyself, which is showing at Temple Bar Gallery and Studios until 1st October. Panellists for the evening include Dave Connolly, director of the Dublin Inner City Partnership, Alice Davis of the LIR Anti-Racism Programme, Mercy Ebun Peters, director of the Association of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Ireland (ARASI) with Katrina Goldstone of CREATE acting as chair. Artist Mark Clare will provide an introductory overview of his artistic practice within the context of the talk. Admission to Just who do you think you are? is free of charge and open to the public. However booking is recommended as spaces are limited. Please contact info@templebargallery.com or Tel. 01 671 0073 to reserve a place or for further information.
Dublin Fringe Festival
The 2005 Dublin Fringe Festival has a rich and exciting programme of events selected from hundreds of submissions, celebrating excellence and diversity of artistic expression across all disciplines. It runs from the 12 September to 2 October 2005. Calypso Productions presents the Irish premiere of "I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady from Rwanda." which runs in Liberty hall Theatre from Wednesday 21 September to Saturday 1 October 2005. For more information see www.fringefest.com
NCCRI : Information & Communications Officer
The NCCRI is currently recruiting an Information and Communications Officer. This job involves the provision of a high quality, relevant and efficient information service for the NCCRI, to organise the production of a high quality newsletter and e-mail bulletin, to ensure that the information on the NCCRI website is updated on a regular basis and to assist in the development of public awareness initiatives among other tasks. The salary is circa 40,000 with a contributory pension scheme. Application by application form only, CV's will not be accepted. Applications must be received by NCCRI before 4pm on Friday 30 September 2005. E-mailed or faxed application forms will not be accepted. Application forms and Job/Person Specification available from Sinead Cullinan. Sinead@nccri.ie or phone 01 8588000.
Volunteer Positions with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI)
The MRCI wish to recruit a Receptionist and a Caseworker on a voluntary basis for a minimum six month period. Basic expenses plus 20 euro per day. Please send a copy of your CV with a covering letter to info@mrci.ie, F.A.O. Orla O'Flanagan / Case Worker Internship. If you have any queries regarding this position contact Orla O' Flanagan on (01)8883155 or at info@mrci.ie. Please send a copy of your CV with a covering letter to info@mrci.ie.
Vacancies with PICUM
Freelance Project Manager for 30 days/ year
PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants) is looking for a freelance project manager for 30 days/ year starting on October 1st 2005., offering a contract for one year, renewable for a second year. The task of this new staff member is to optimalize the development of a project on access to health care for undocumented migrants in Europe.
Relevant experience in project management and evaluation, and proficiency in English are needed.
Project Officer (temporary full time) for the office of PICUM in Brussels
PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants) is looking for a full time staff member, starting October 1st 2005, offering a contract for one year, renewable for a second year. The task of this new staff member is to run a research/networking project on access to health care for undocumented migrants in Europe. Relevant experience in research and networking, and proficiency in English are needed.
Project Assistant (temporary half time) at the office of PICUM in Brussels
PICUM (Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants) is looking for a half time project assistant, starting on October 1st 2005, offering a contract for one year, renewable for a second year. The task of this new staff member is to assist the project officer in running research/networking project on access to health care for undocumented migrants in Europe. Relevant experience in organisation and administration, and proficiency in English are needed.
For more information, please contact Nele Verbruggen, PICUM, Gaucheretstraat 164, 1030 Brussels. T: +32 (2) 274.14.39/ F: +32 (2) 274.14.48/ E-mail: info@picum.org. More detailed position descriptions can also be found on www.picum.org
Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister: A Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland 2005-2010. Tel. 00 44 289052 2293 or see
www.ofmdfmni.gov.uk/index/equality/race/race_publications.htm
Combat Poverty Agency: Ending Child Poverty in Ireland. www.cpa.ie
Area Development Management Ltd.: Annual Report and Accounts 2004. Available from ADM at www.adm.ie
Social Welfare Appeals Office: Annual Report 2004.
See www.welfare.ie/press/pr05/pr290805.html
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI): Trends in Welfare for Vulnerable Groups, Ireland 1994-2001. www.esri.ie
