#participate

Boosting political participation of migrants: #Participate!

A new campaign has been launched in Ireland to remove barriers which prevent migrants from participating in civic and political life.

As part of the Participate project, funded by the European Commission and the Open Society Foundation, the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Nasc Ireland launched a series of events aimed at increasing the civic and political participation of EU and non-EU migrants. Ten events will take place between August 2016 and April 2017 all accross Ireland. Each event will involve local partners - local volunteer centres, Citizens' Information Services... - that are looking for new members or participants to join in events. The first event was held at the end of July in Cork City, which the council says had a "very successful" turnout.

Jennifer DeWan, campaigns and communications manager at Nasc, insisted on the fact that participation is a key to integration : "People need to feel that they are engaging in what's happening in their communities to be able to feel a part of it." Joe O'Brien, Integration Outreach Officer at the Immigrant Council, commented 'Ireland can benefit so much from the enthusiasm, skills and experiences of our migrant communities. Enhancing migrant participation in local community life will reap multiple rewards on both side'. 

Thematics: