Cork City of Sanctuary worked very hard for over a year and a half to create an action plan. We are delighted to announce that this action plan was launched on March 29th in the Millenium Hall of Cork’s City Hall.
City Hall was packed with stakeholders from far and near.
David Stanton, the Minister of Justice, equality and integration attended the launch and give the keynote speech. The opening speech was delivered by Cllr. Mick Finn, Cork’s mayor.
The evening was filled with stories from migrants in Cork, a musical performance by Citadel, the band of residents from Kinsale Road, dancing by Aatma, (dance group of UCC alumni), Other speakers on the night came from Places of Sanctuary Ireland and some of the subgroups. The Principals of UCC and CIT also gave their thoughts on becoming University and College of Sanctuary. This event was well reported by Journal.ie and EchoLive.ie
NETWORKING EVENT
This event preceded the launch of the action plan with attendance and reports from sanctuary seekers and other delegates from the following groups:
Belfast:
Schools of Sanctuary are in full swing with over 20 awarded schools so far. We have a team of assessors including many refugees and migrants set up in conjunction with the Schools Education Board.
Sanctuary Runners:
This movement is almost nationwide – in Dublin they meet every Saturday at 9:30am. All welcome.
Dublin Devils – Dundrum – in solidarity with asylum seekers and refugees. LGBT+ team.
Portlaois:
On St Patrick’s Day – events were held for gardening therapy and mental health.
They are promoting Schools of Sanctuary – primary schools more open to concept.
Sanctuary in Politics – they arranged a workshop on voter awareness – how to vote and run for local elections. Desk in library to target migrants to register to vote.
Portlaoise Library is bidding to become the first Library of Sanctuary in Ireland.
Cork:
Citdel Band is collecting guitars for DP residents – 30 guitars, drums, flutes, violins, etc, with some probono tutor hours. Bull McCabes pub hosted a World Music Day where all performers were asylum seekers. They also performed in Dolan’s pub in Limerick .
Welcome English Language Centre have been operating in Cork since2001. 200 students from 4 DP centres in Cork city & county. 15 classes in AM and 9 in PM – all classes are free, all 40 staff are volunteers.
UCC is continuing to roll out multiple schemes to support sanctuary, as well as their scholarship scheme.
Galway
They are currently engaged with a Voter registration drive – hustings event prior to election.
SiP course for June 2019. Srveral delegates to attend COSUK conference with sponsorship.
Hannah Culkin – Wavelength
Wavelength – new initiative targeting asylum seekers, new communities, 18-25 yrs. Seeking remove some barriers on Gaisce award.
Contact: [email protected]
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