Press Release 17/06/10
The Integration Centre has called for the monitoring of integration worldwide to determine the level of immigrant engagement in society. This information will lead to a targeted response to what is lacking in national systems, and prevent the wastage of invaluable resources. Josephine Ahern, CEO of The Integration Centre, made the call in furtherance of the Stockholm Programme which identified a set of integration indicators, including education, employment and active citizenship, agreed by the EU in Nov 2009. This call coincides with World Refugee Day which is to be celebrated around the world on the 20th June.
“World Refugee Day provides the impetus for reflection wherein it is questioned whether every person living in Ireland enjoys the economic, political, social and cultural equality and inclusion that we all deserve. We at The Integration Centre hope to promote this environment through acting as a forum wherein statutory, non-statutory, business, academic, civil society and international sectors can come together and forge an integration strategy which will be all inclusive.” Ms Ahern said.
MS Ahern explained that the theme of this year’s celebration is ‘A New Home, A New Life’, a theme picked to help everyone understand that refugees are ordinary people who have lost their homes and their families in an effort to stay safe from persecution.
The Integration Centre has noted that in 2008 the UNHCR posted that the number of refugees in the world was 42 million; this includes 16 million displaced outside their country of origin and 26 million displaced internally. This number however has since substantially grown due to the displacements in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Somalia. Ireland is host to almost 10,000 refugees.
Ms Ahern maintains that integration is a two way process which will improve the quality of life in society for all. The Centre hopes to achieve its goals through a monitoring system of integration which reflects the EU model proposed through the Stockholm Programme. This system is the first of its kind in Ireland and will inform the integration plans and programmes to be rolled out at local authority level. It also aids integration through an information and advocacy service, wherein it provides advice to all immigrants.
In his comment on the issue Rotimi Adebari, ex-Lord Mayor of Portlaoise stated "Refugees are human beings who deserve to live in the comfort of their families but have been forced to flee their countries for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or membership of a particular social group or political opinion. This is the time of the year when we have to raise awareness, identify with them and ensure they are provided with the love and affection they miss from family and friends back in their home countries".
The Day is now celebrated in a variety of ways around the world from conferences to sporting events. In Australia prominent public buildings will be lit up in the UNHCR blue spotlight every day this week, concerts are to take place in New York and Hong Kong and large scale exhibitions are taking place in Jordan in order to garner public support for one of the most vulnerable groups in global society.
The Integration Centre calls on everyone to use this International Day of celebration to open their eyes and hearts to the plight of refugees, and reflect on what it is to lose ones home and adjust to a new society.
-Ends-
Contact: Wale Mogaji, Head of Communications & Integration, on 01 645 3087/ 085 733 4367; wale.mogaji@ris.ie, or Helena Clarke Communications Executive, on 01 6453082; helena.clarke@integrationcentre.ie; www.integrationcentre.ie
Editor’s note
The Integration Centre is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland. The Centre specializes in planning, monitoring and advocacy at city, local, national and international levels and provides regionalized information, advice and training services. The Centre conducts evidence-based research to influence positive changes in legislation, policy and practice and proactively engage with all sectors of society to achieve this. We have more than 250 affiliated organisations as part of our national network.