Press Release 15/01/2010
ISICI launches Ireland’s first immigrant youth integration guide
The Integration and Social Inclusion Centre Ireland (ISICI) trading as Integrating Ireland will launch ‘At Home in Ireland: an Integration Guide for Immigrant Youth and Parents’. As the first of its kind, this unique guide provides a much needed resource for young immigrants and their parents by providing user-friendly and accessible information on language learning, family, feeling connected, education, employment and being a part of a community.
The launch will take place at Dublin City Hall from 10.30am-11.45am on Thursday 14th January. Ciaran Cuffe TD, Green Party Spokesperson on Immigration and Equality; Kathryn McKiernan, RTE Presenter and Stazia Costa, Miss Africa - Ireland, will speak at the event to be opened by Pat Montague, Chairperson, ISICI. Highlights will include performances by youth groups the Rialto Jammers and NYP break-dancers.
As a collaborative project informed by the real life experiences of immigrant youth and parents, this rich resource is informed by research commissioned from Trinity College Dublin’s Children, Youth and Community Relations Project and that carried out by Integrating Ireland throughout 2009.
This easy to use guide will also be available online in French, Arabic and Russian and will be an invaluable resource for educators, policy makers and practitioners who work in the field of immigrant integration.
In acknowledging the support from the Office of the Minister for Integration, Pobal Supporting Communities and The European Fund for the Integration of Third Country Nationals, public relations expert, Pat Montague also said “This landmark guide provides a much needed sign post for first and second generation immigrants living in this country”.
Stazia Costa, current Miss Africa – Ireland said ‘At Home in Ireland’ is a significant contribution for ISICI to make as a non-government organisation working towards the integration of immigrants in Ireland. ‘This publication will be hugely beneficial to newly arrived young people and parents as they engage in all the normal aspects of life within their communities’ she said.
Ciaran Cuffe TD praised the practicality of the guide stating ‘This is an excellent, practical handbook that will be of huge value to immigrant families living here. Addressing everyday issues like schooling and employment which confront any family settling into a new and unfamiliar country, the guide is both clearly written and accessible to those for whom English is not their native tongue. In particular, the numerous website links and contact points will also ensure that our new immigrants aren’t left wondering: where can I find out more information?’
‘At Home in Ireland’ clearly fills a gap in the literature. Kathryn McKiernan RTÉ Presenter said “I would like to congratulate the ISICI on this publication. It will prove invaluable for immigrants who wish learn more about integrating into Irish society. The publication is long overdue and I commend the ISICI for taking the initiative to produce such a breakthrough guide. The best of luck to those who are starting a new life here and I urge them to get a copy of ‘At Home in Ireland!’
-Ends-
Contact: Wale Mogaji, Head of Communications & Integration on 01 645 3087/ 085 733 4367; 1st and 2nd Floors, 18 Dame Street Dublin 2 or wale.mogaji@ris.ie, www.ris.ie
Editor’s note
The Integration and Social Inclusion Centre of Ireland (ISICI) was established in July 2009 via the merger of Integrating Ireland – the Immigrant Network (II) and the Refugee Information Service (RIS) both non-government organisations working in the fields of the international system of protection, immigration and integration.
The ISICI also provides specialist information, advice, advocacy and referral services for immigrants including protection seekers and those with protection status. It works with individuals and families, government, other NGOs, the private sector, academia, and international agencies to ensure that immigrants are able to access their legal rights and entitlements. ISICI provides a nationwide training service and conducts research to influence policy and legislation. It includes a national network of more than 230 organisations.
ISICI launches Ireland’s first immigrant youth integration guide
09.08.10
The Integration and Social Inclusion Centre Ireland (ISICI) trading as Integrating Ireland will launch ‘At Home in Ireland: an Integration Guide for Immigrant Youth and Parents’. As the first of its kind, this unique guide provides a much needed resource for young immigrants and their parents by providing user-friendly and accessible information on language learning, family, feeling connected, education, employment and being a part of a community.
The launch will take place at Dublin City Hall from 10.30am-11.45am on Thursday 14th January. Ciaran Cuffe TD, Green Party Spokesperson on Immigration and Equality; Kathryn McKiernan, RTE Presenter and Stazia Costa, Miss Africa - Ireland, will speak at the event to be opened by Pat Montague, Chairperson, ISICI. Highlights will include performances by youth groups the Rialto Jammers and NYP break-dancers.
As a collaborative project informed by the real life experiences of immigrant youth and parents, this rich resource is informed by research commissioned from Trinity College Dublin’s Children, Youth and Community Relations Project and that carried out by Integrating Ireland throughout 2009.
This easy to use guide will also be available online in French, Arabic and Russian and will be an invaluable resource for educators, policy makers and practitioners who work in the field of immigrant integration.
In acknowledging the support from the Office of the Minister for Integration, Pobal Supporting Communities and The European Fund for the Integration of Third Country Nationals, public relations expert, Pat Montague also said “This landmark guide provides a much needed sign post for first and second generation immigrants living in this country”.
Stazia Costa, current Miss Africa – Ireland said ‘At Home in Ireland’ is a significant contribution for ISICI to make as a non-government organisation working towards the integration of immigrants in Ireland. ‘This publication will be hugely beneficial to newly arrived young people and parents as they engage in all the normal aspects of life within their communities’ she said.
Ciaran Cuffe TD praised the practicality of the guide stating ‘This is an excellent, practical handbook that will be of huge value to immigrant families living here. Addressing everyday issues like schooling and employment which confront any family settling into a new and unfamiliar country, the guide is both clearly written and accessible to those for whom English is not their native tongue. In particular, the numerous website links and contact points will also ensure that our new immigrants aren’t left wondering: where can I find out more information?’
‘At Home in Ireland’ clearly fills a gap in the literature. Kathryn McKiernan RTÉ Presenter said “I would like to congratulate the ISICI on this publication. It will prove invaluable for immigrants who wish learn more about integrating into Irish society. The publication is long overdue and I commend the ISICI for taking the initiative to produce such a breakthrough guide. The best of luck to those who are starting a new life here and I urge them to get a copy of ‘At Home in Ireland!’