The Integration Centre is currently involved with a number of integration initiatives nationwide. Details of the specific initiatives are listed below.
Southeast:
Kilkenny Integration Forum
- This covers Kilkenny city and county.
- Members include Local Authority, statutory and non-statutory agencies, and representatives of ethnic minority communities.
- Its key objectives are to raise awareness about information provision services in Kilkenny; advocacy on policy issues; to promote active civic and volunteering; and to promote the benefits of cultural diversity through events and training initiatives.
Arklow Intercultural Network
- Covers Arklow town in County Wicklow.
- Members include County Wicklow Partnership, some statutory agencies and a number of non-statutory groups involved with ethnic minority communities.
- It's key objectives is to provide a forum around the changing needs of migrants; to ensure a space for agencies, groups and organisations to meet and cooperate, to take action on recommendations of existing research and reports of migrants needs and issues; to share information and resources; and to support each other in trying to improve the lives of migrants.
Wicklow ARDS Planning/Monitoring Committee
- County-wide across Co. Wicklow.
- Members include Local Authority, statutory and non-statutory agencies and representatives of ethnic minority communities.
- It's key objectives are set out in “Recipe for Harmony – An Anti-Racism and Diversity Strategy for County Wicklow 2009-2011” and are as follows:- to support an intercultural approach from an education perspective; to promote integration; to improve access to information; to raise awareness of the health status of ethnic minorities in County Wicklow; to strengthen the influence of ethnic minorities within the context of policing in Co. Wicklow; and to ensure increased social, cultural and educational opportunities for residents of Direct Provision Centres in Co. Wicklow.
Waterford Integration Forum
- County-wide across Waterford city and county.
- Membership is open to all members of new communities and to any groups or agencies engaging with members of new communities. Most members to date are from the non-statutory sectors with increasing involvement from members of new communities.
- The key objectives are - to create a coherent, representative voice for those advocating for integration; communication of interests and issues; to network and collaborate on issues raised at forum meetings; to support practical initiatives and responses by new community groups; and to ensure that recommendations for broader action are channelled through appropriate structures at local, regional and national levels.
South-West
Cork Integration Forum:
- This is an ethnic –led, Cork City Forum which has evolved out of the CNC (Cork Networking Committee) It meets bi-monthly, and consists of Local Authority, statutory, NGO, and voluntary groups. The group was officially launched by Minister Mary White in September 2010.
- Its key objective is to provide a platform where issues concerning the integration and social inclusion of immigrants in Cork City can be addressed and progressed. It promotes sharing information and skills, celebrating culture and diversity, promoting communication by bringing issues of concern to statutory, civil and community bodies in order to overcome barriers to integration.
Cork City Integration Strategy (CCIS)Advisory Group
- This advisory group is composed of Local Authority, Statutory, NGO, and voluntary groups.
- The aim of this group is to monitor the progress of “Connecting Communities”, The Cork City Integration Strategy (CCIS), 2008-2011.The group presented a mid-term report to TD Mary White, Office of the Minister for Integration, at the Millenium Hall, City Hall, Cork, in September 2010.
- The group is currently writing a brochure to alert the citizens of Cork to the work of the current Integration Strategy, and to encourage participation in the development of a new Cork City Integration Strategy by the end of 2011, to be launched in early 2012.
The Limerick Integration Working Group (IWG)
- This group operates under the Social Inclusion Measures (SIM)Committee of both City and County Local Authorities, and is also composed of statutory, non-statutory, NGO, and voluntary groups.
- The IWG was responsible for the development of “Integrating Limerick”, The Limerick City and County Integration Plan, which was launched in March 2010 at the Limerick Hunt Museum.
- The IWG is currently monitoring the City and County Integration Strategy, and has developed a website which can be reached at the following link: http://www.limerick.ie/integration/interculturallimerick/
The Kerry Integration Strategy Monitoring Group
- The Kerry Integration Strategy, 2010-2012, was launched in September 2010. This was driven by the Integration Task Group (ITG), and was supported by the County Development Board, Kerry County Council, and was composed of Local Authority, statutory and non-statutory groups as well as NGOs.
- In 2011, a new Monitoring Group will be established to monitor the actions set out in the Integration Strategy.
Steering Committee of the TIRC
- Based in Tralee
- This is an interagency group that was convened by the HSE in early 2009 to address the lack of services to immigrants in the Tralee area following the closure of Tralee Refugee Support Services (TRSS) in 2008
- Following work by this committee, the Tralee International Resource Centre was opened by TD, Mary White, Minister for Integration, on 19th August 2010. The work of the committee continues.
West
The Clare Intercultural Strategy
- County Clare.
- Members include a mixture of statutory and non-statutory groups.
- The goals of this strategy are divided into five themes: 1. Communications - to increase the capacity of immigrants, and to enhance public service communication systems. 2. Education - to enhance communication and language supports, and improved access to information. 3. Health - to improve access to health information, and to improve access to health services. 4. Work & training - to facilitate pathways to employment and enterprise development. 5. Community participation and social support - to build local support for immigrant communities, to enhance the personal safety and security of immigrants, and to provide support for young people.
The Galway County Integration Strategy
- The Galway County strategy is currently in the development process.
- The strategy and action plan will focus on four themes - Health, Employment and Training, Community Participation, and Education and language.
- A committee has been established led by the Galway Rural Development Company.