Representatives from the five Intercultural Cross-border Inclusion Programme partners. Among those pictured are Conor Sharkey of North West Migrants Forum, Kevin Traynor of Rural Community Network, Lilian Seenoi Barr of North West Migrants Forum, Maria Elena Costa of Irish Network Against Racism, Paul Kernan of Donegal Intercultural Platform, Shane O’Curry of Irish Network Against Racism and on screen, Ade Anjorin of Multi-Sports and Cultures NI.
MEMBERS of the public are being invited to the official launch of an exciting new project aimed at building positive relationships in communities experiencing rapid demographic change.
The Intercultural Cross-border Inclusion Programme, supported by PEACEPLUS, has been developed by an alliance of five grassroots organisations – North West Migrants Forum, Donegal Intercultural Platform, Irish Network Against Racism, Multi-Ethnic Sports Northern Ireland and Rural Community Network.
A three-year initiative, the ICI Programme was designed with a geographical focus on rural and urban areas across Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland counties of Donegal, Leitrim and Monaghan.
At a time when towns and villages across Ireland are experiencing population growth and cultural shifts, the project’s overall aim is to foster a more inclusive society while empowering minority ethnic communities and encouraging active participation.
Speaking on behalf of the five-partner alliance, Chief Executive of Lead Partner organisation the North West Migrants Forum, Lilian Seenoi Barr, said, “I have always said that if people look beyond the negative voices and tabloid headlines they will see that migrants strengthen local economies.
“The Intercultural Cross-Border Inclusion Programme is a prime example of that, of how those coming to this country are opening doors of opportunity for others.
“This project was developed with two goals in mind. One of those was to deliver well-paid jobs within our five organisations.
“The second goal was to create the conditions for respect where cultural diversity is celebrated and communities live, learn, work and socialise together without prejudice or hate.
“Work on that second goal will begin immediately after the launch of the ICI Programme on January 21,” Mrs Barr added.
The launch event, which runs from 10.30am to 12.30pm, is open to the public but registration is essential. A bus will run from Letterkenny, stopping to pick up in Derry, before travelling on to Monaghan Peace Campus.
If you would like to attend, simply fill in this short form: https://bit.ly/ICIPLaunch. If travelling from Northern Ireland please make sure your residency status allows you to cross the border.
