Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Equality Office & Local Authority Integration Team have launched the ‘dlr Together – dlr Le Chéile’ campaign to promote understanding and awareness of inclusion and integration, in addition to providing resources and information on reporting racism and combating prejudice in the county.
The campaign includes a varied programme of training including;
An online and social media awareness campaign ‘Know Your Rights’;
Launch of the Irish Network Against Racism’s (INAR) iReport Portal and Responding to Racism Resources;
Launch of the Equality Office information on our website, hosting all of the resources and additional information around accessibility, equality, diversity and inclusion.
Speaking at the launch Leas Cathaoirleach, Kazi Ahmed said:
“I am delighted to support the dlr Together – dlr Le Chéile campaign, which is an invaluable initiative that aims to educate, empower and signpost our community, county council staff and Elected Members in relation to responding to racism, and gaining insight into integration throughout Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown; I am pleased to hear that this campaign is part of a long-term plan to continue to build the capacity for understanding and inclusion throughout the county.
“Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown is striving to make a difference where everyone, irrespective of their background, is respected and valued.”
A new Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT) has also recently been established in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council who will:
Co-ordinate dlr’s support and assistance to new arrivals to the county,
Administer the Department of Rural & Community Development’s Community Recognition Fund and;
Carry out research and providing training and support in promoting integration and inclusion across communities in dlr.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Chief Executive, Frank Curran added:
“I am very pleased to support the establishment of both the Equality Office, and the Local Authority Integration Team here in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council; the dlr Together- dlr Le Chéile campaign highlights the importance of both education, and providing resources, as a vehicle for understanding and supporting our wider community.”
The ‘dlr Together – dlr Le Chéile’ campaign is part of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s participation in the EU funded SALAAM Project (Sustainable Alliances Against Anti-Muslim Hatred) – a research and pilot training programme for Local Authorities led by Dr James Carr from the Department of Sociology in University of Limerick.
SALAAM utilised legislative and policy developments designed to combat racism in Ireland, as a springboard from which to fight anti-Muslim hatred through training and education; improved supports for those who experience anti-Muslim hatred; the development of sustainable participation platforms and public awareness campaigns.
Additionally, this month, Government of Ireland has begun a new public information campaign to help people find out more about migration and to better understand how our immigration system works.
This will also feature on our social media in the coming weeks.
Immigration is complex, but talking about it shouldn’t be, and it can be difficult to know where to go to find reliable information.
This social media campaign shares clear facts, and encourages people to visit Gov.ie/migration to learn more.