www.dorasluimni.org.
To commemorate International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Doras Luimni launched an anti-racism/diversity campaign called "Integreat". The image, depicting a sports team, illustrates that regardless of cultural heritage we are many cultures, one home, we are many players but one team. We need to focus on the positive attributes within all members of our community to ensure that Limerick is one of the best places to live. Mayor Maria Byrne will symbolically welcome diversity to Limerick by greeting a Bus Eireann city bus with the campaign emblazoned on the side and carrying members from different ethnic communities living in Limerick.
Karen McHugh, CEO Doras Luimni explains the importance of the campaign as "Everyone has a role to play in ending racial discrimination, and it is only through constant vigilance that we can hope to achieve its demise. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, is a perfect opportunity to launch this campaign as well as an opportunity to celebrate human unity and the diversity of the human race rather than allow our differences to become an excuse for racial separation. It's a chance to recognize prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination in our society, and how each of us may have our own prejudices and may be making people feel excluded without our even realizing it. It's a chance to reaffirm our commitment to eliminate all forms of discrimination and help create communities and societies where all citizens can live in dignity, equality and peace. It is our intent that this campaign will challenge the negative attitudes that exist, will break down the barriers and prejudices among people and reaffirm that Racism must not tolerated in Limerick in any circumstances"
Miriam Flynn, Regional manager Bus Eireann Limerick, says "Bus Eireann is happy to be associated with the campaign and is fully supports the concept of dignity and respect in the workplace irrespective of cultural heritage."
Munster Rugby is happy to endorse the campaign.
Likewise the Football Association of Ireland is happy to support it. Des Tomlinson, Intercultural Football Programme National Coordinator says "Sport offers many great opportunities for social interaction between people of all backgrounds. Sports' core values are all about fairplay and respect, values that allow people of all backgrounds to participate in sport based on the principal and philosophy of equity, a level playing field for all. Sadly not all people share these important values and when this is the case racism and discrimination can often results. The FAI through its Intercultural Football Programme proactively supports UEFA campaigns that highlight the need to Unite Against Racism and Discrimination and we are proud to lend our support to this important awareness raising campaign in Limerick City"
The purpose of the campaign is to highlight to people of all ages and backgrounds that it is a crime to be racist in Ireland. We hope the campaign will encourage victims of this crime, or those who witness it, to report it to the Gardai. If for whatever reason an individual does not feel comfortable doing so we encourage them to call into Doras's offices for support and advice.
We can see Racism is evident in Irish and Limerick society. The Doras Luimni submission to the Committee on the Eradication of Racial Discrimination highlights that it exists in our work places, our places of business and in our schools. The Doras Luimni commissioned UL report on political construction of migrants shows it is evident in public discourse and commentary. The Doras Luimni published report on access to education and employment highlights how it is a barrier there too.
Editors Notes:
Doras Luimni is a migrant support agency protecting the rights of migrants since 2000.
This campaign is part of our Advocacy and Campaigns Project to identify inequalities experienced by migrants and to advocate for change. Racism has been identified as a growing problem and one that needs to be addressed at a local and community level if we are to see any change in attitudes.
