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INTEGRATION |
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'Living together in Longford' Intercultural Strategic Plan |
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Longford’s Intercultural Strategic Plan 2008–2011 was formally launched by the Minister of State for Integration, Conor Lenihan, TD, on 27 March 2008. It is the first attempt by the County to make a coherent, collaborative and inclusive response to the needs of the increasing cultural diversity of its population. In producing this 3 year plan we acknowledge that there is much to do. The challenge of integration and interculturalism lies both in the tackling of racism, discrimination and prejudice, whilst also creating opportunities to celebrate our difference and diversity. There were four key partners involved in leading the strategic plan:
Three of the partners – LCRL, Longford Women’s Link and the EDI Centre – successfully applied to Pobal, under the Fund for the Integration of Legally Resident Immigrants, to develop Longford’s Intercultural Strategic Plan. We hope that you will support and endorse this plan and that together we can achieve a vibrant, tolerant and inclusive community for all who live, work and visit Longford. |
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Third Country Nationals |
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Inward migration is a relatively new phenomenon here in Ireland, whose historical experience has been that of emigration for many decades. The accession of the eight new European Union countries in 2004 accelerated inward migration to Ireland. Economic growth has now become the overwhelming stimulus for immigration and has been conducive to the development of the Irish economy. Recent figures from the Census find that 10% of the population in 2007 were of non-Irish national origin but made up for 11% of the Irish workforce. The 2006 NESC report on Migration Policy recognises accordingly that integration is a key factor in determining the success or failure of migration in Ireland. Longford Community Resources Ltd has, for a number of years, been involved in promoting and supporting initiatives around integration and interculturalism. Activities undertaken by LCRL have included: organising intercultural awareness training, resourcing groups and workers with asylum seekers, refugees and ethnic minority groups, funding and organising intercultural festivals/events, and provision of support to organisations working with people from ethnic minorities with a consistent focus on the promotion of positive attitudes towards new communities. In 2007, LCRL, in conjunction with Longford Women’s Link and the EDI Centre for the Unemployed, secured funding from Pobal to employ an Integration Worker and to develop an Intercultural Strategic Plan for County Longford. With the support of the Longford County Development Board on its compilation, the Intercultural Strategic Plan for County Longford was launched by the Minister for Integration in March 2008. A full consultation process took place in November 2007 with the New Communities, agencies who work with these communities and the Irish Community also taking part. The findings of this research inform the work now being carried out in this area. Subsequently, LCRL applied and secured funding through Pobal from the Office of the Minister for Integration through the European Integraton Fund to support the integration of Third Country Nationals. This European fund is intended to support migrants from non-EU countries who have entered Ireland legally within the last five years or persons granted leave to remain. The Integration Officer, Noelle Murtagh, is involved in co-ordinating the implementation of actions relating to Third Country Nationals which were identified in the County Longford Intercultural Strategic Plan. The work includes the development of a Guide and Map to Key Services in Longford, civic participation, educational inclusion, various anti-racism initiatives and the establishment and development of a Third Country National women's group. This project is funded until June 2010. |
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East Meets West Women’s Group |
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The East Meets West Group are a women’s group with its main focus being integration. All of the women in the group are originally from other countries and take pleasure in openly sharing and learning about different cultures, religions and traditions. The group meets every second Thursday in the library for different activities. There are about 20 women within this group and they have taken part in many initiatives including the Pride of Place Competition, a religious exchange, a personal development course, learning more about local services and local heritage. If you are interested in joining this group or making new friends please contact Noelle on 043-3345555. |
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Information on Living in Ireland |
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For multi-lingual information on working in Ireland, housing, health, education, welfare, community and culture log onto www.livinginireland.ie. Pour plus d’informations en matière de santé, d’éducation, de protection sociale, de discrimination, etc. rendez-vous sur le site www.livinginireland.ie. Для получения дополнительной информации об охране здоровья, образовании, социальной помощи, дискриминации и так далее зарегистрируйтесь на сайте www.livinginireland.ie. |
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Undocumented Workers Scheme |
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LCRL as part of its work in promoting and supporting initiatives around integration and interculturalism would like to highlight the Undocumented Workers Scheme. This scheme has been introduced by The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) to cater for individuals who are from outside the European Union, who entered Ireland legally and have become undocumented for reasons beyond their control. For most non-EU migrants, legal or ‘documented’ status to live and work in Ireland is tied to the work permit which binds them to a specific employer and job and makes them dependent on staying with a particular employer. Some individuals with work permits have found themselves in unexpected and dire circumstances such as being exploited or suddenly being made redundant. If you know someone who is in this situation, please inform them or refer them to a local information service. For more information please contact edel@mrci.ie or Pablo@mrci.ie regarding any undocumented issues (Migrant Rights Centre Ireland) or log onto www.inis.gov.ie. |
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Work Permits |
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One of the major issues facing people who have work permits is that they are not allowed to freely change employer. Binding a worker to an employer in this way can be a leading factor in exploitation. To counter this exploitation and to ensure a fair playing field for compliant employers, the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland are campaigning to have the employment permits system changed to give employment permit holders the right to change employer in their job sector. For more information on the work permit system and the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland log onto www.mrci.ie |
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For further information contact the Integration Officer at 043-3345555 or email at nmurtagh@lcrl.ie. |
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DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENTS
County Longford Intercultural Strategic Plan 2008-2011 - English version County Longford Intercultural Strategic Plan 2008-2011 - Polish Version County Longford Intercultural Strategic Plan 2008-2011 - Russian Version
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Longford Community Resources Ltd Updated 14th June, 2010 |
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