LAUNCH OF ‘A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES’ NETWORKING EVENT
DUBLIN, 20TH JUNE 2019.
This event was held to launch and celebrate the book of stories of welcome written by our coordinator, Tiffy Allen. The book was launched by Deputy Eamon Ryan, the leader of the Green Party and one of the politicians who has consistently supported the Sanctuary Movement. Places of Sanctuary was delighted to host the event in partnership with Irish Refugee Council.
The launch was held at Irish School of Ecumenics, Trinity College Dublin, and attracted scores of people including refugees and migrants from many different countries of origins, visitors from many parts of Ireland including Belfast, Galway, Cork, Wexford, Dundalk, Waterford and Portlaoise, and was very well received. Deputy Ryan read from the book and spoke passionately about the importance of welcome in all spheres of society, emphasising the ways that this book and the stories therein can inspire people to greater understanding and actions of welcome. Several refugees whose stories appear in the book read aloud from their stories, and the new stream of Libraries of Sanctuary was launched, with people from libraries in various parts of the country in attendance.
The book has been very well received and interest in the power of stories to connect and inspire continues to gain strength. It can be purchased online www.cityofsanctuary.org/books
Eamon Ryan and other Sanctuary supporters after the launch
Colletta from Dundalk reading from the book
English