New handbook is guide to better integration

SOUTH Dublin County Council has launched a new
handbook to help leaders of diverse communities to interact with their local
communities.

The launch of

‘The Republic of Ireland – A Beginners
Guide to Society, Culture & Politics’ took place recently at Rua Red in
Tallaght.

The handbook, compiled by Dr Elaine Byrne and Ciara
Begley of TCD, is led by the Dublin Employment Pact (DEP) and the New
Communities Partnership, in conjunction with the four Dublin local authorities

South Dublin County Council launched its Integration
Forum last November, which consists of representatives of 20 new communities in
the county. This followed the development of similar structures in Dublin City
and Fingal County Councils.

The handbook forms the basis for an interactive workshop
led by Dr Byrne to give new community leaders an insight into Ireland, its
arts, culture, geography, history, norms and values.

The project is primarily aimed at developing
structures for new communities as well as building the capacity of their representatives
to actively engage in the economic, social, civic and political make up of the
local area.

The Mayor of South Dublin County Council, Cllr
Caitriona Jones, who launched the handbook and the training workshop, said:

“A
sense of place is a vital component in developing citizenship and so it is
important to encourage those of diverse origins to identify with their county
and country.

“The workshop which we are providing today will inform
and train 20 community leaders from different ethnic groups. We believe it is very important to recognise
the contributions made by non-Irish citizens to the creativity, vitality and
prosperity of our city. “

The programme is one of a series of actions in a
three-year plan under which the four Dublin authorities will assist in enabling
third-country nationals to establish a foothold in and integrate with Irish
society.

It is hoped that the successful implementation of the
project in Dublin will pave the way for other local authorities nationally to
facilitate local integration and reduce the sense of civic exclusion among new
communities.

Philip O’Connor, director of the Dublin Employment
Pact and manager of the project, added:

“We are delighted to help build a
superb programme aimed at promoting a greater understanding among new
communities of the history, culture and values of Irish society.

“Last year saw a dramatic increase in the number of
people naturalised as Irish citizens and this will likely double in 2012.

“The programme will enable trained community leaders
to represent the needs of their communities in areas as diverse as housing and
services, community relations and conflict issues.

?

Dr Byrne, who compiled the programme, said:

“The full
participation of migrants in Irish society is an essential part of a successful
integration policy. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to teach about Irish
democracy and citizenship, and hope that this will help facilitate greater
interaction between migrants and the wider Irish population.

?