The Integration Centre Releases

Waterford Integration Strategy 2012-2016 was launched last Tuesday (May 22nd, 2012) in the Tower Hotel, Waterford.

The author of the strategy document, Seamus O’Leary, Director of Integration Planning and Monitoring with The Integration Centre said “this strategy is the culmination of months of hard work and collaboration by a huge amount of people in Waterford City, and it was very encouraging to see so many members of minority communities and local organisations involved throughout the planning process.”

“The Integration Centre welcomes this commitment by the Waterford City Development Board to integration in the city, and trusts it is an indicator of its future commitment to social inclusion.   

“This strategy is special in that it includes people from a range of minorities. Members of LGBT, Traveller, disabled and migrant communities came together, to help formulate this plan.  In that respect, The Integration Centre commends Waterford CDB for its very progressive approach in developing such an all-embracing integration strategy.

“It was particularly interesting to note that people from different minority communities have so much in common and suffer similar paths of exclusion. Many often experience overlapping levels of marginalisation where they identify with more than one minority identity, being both Traveller and LGBT, or disabled and migrant for example.”

“This launch recognises the demographic changes noted in the recent Census figures. During the launch the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Pat Hayes noted that as many as 25% of the city’s residents identify with one or other of the minority communities concerned, thus representing in total a very significant portion of the Waterford City’s population.  This is also reflected nationally.  Census 2011 figures for example indicated that 12% of the Irish population is from an immigrant background, an increase since Census 2006. The importance of encouraging the best from this situation cannot be overly emphasised. Immigrants are a major resource both socially and economically, and make Ireland a more attractive place to foreign investors.

ENDS

Contact:

Helena Clarke on 01 645 3092 / 087-961 0897; 1st and 2nd Floors, 18 Dame Street Dublin 2, helena.clarke@integrationcentre.ie, www.integrationcentre.ie

Notes to the Editor

 The Integration Centreis committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland. The Centre specialises in planning, monitoring and advocacy at city, local, national and international levels, and it also provides regionalized information, advice and training services. Evidence-based research influences positive change in legislation, policy and practice. We have more than 250 affiliated organisations as part of our network.