Ireland/ 4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates  

4.2.7 Intercultural dialogue: actors, strategies, programmes

The National Action Plan against Racism 2005-2008, prepared by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform aimed to combat racism and to build a more inclusive, intercultural society in Ireland. Coinciding with the demise of this plan, the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI), an independent expert body for combating racism and working towards a more inclusive intercultural society in Ireland was abolished with effect from December 2008 as part of government cutbacks. The office of the Minister for Integration was replaced by an Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration with a cross-departmental mandate. Research produced by the Immigrant Council of Ireland in 2011 deplored the lack of consistent, effective and strong action against racism and recommended a programme of institutional responses, victim support and awareness raising.

The United Nations is examining the Irish government failure to establish clear immigration rules and the impact of steep funding cuts on the funding of human rights promotion bodies. The Irish Human Rights Commission has been cut by 32% and the Equality Authority by 43% while organisations like Combat Poverty and the NCCRI were abolished.

There are a number of examples, at community level, of intercultural projects, while organisations like the National Youth Council of Ireland (http://www.intercultural.ie/) have also endeavoured to address this agenda.

The Arts Council operates a policy of non-discrimination and encourages applications from artists and arts groups from minority communities for the available supports (see also chapter 4.2.4).

The Chester Beatty Library in Dublin in collaboration with a range of international partners has produced a publication "Museums as places for intercultural dialogue: selected practices from Europe." A pdf version is available online http://www.mapforid.it. The museum also celebrated the EU China Year of Intercultural Dialogue in 2012 with an exhibition and a multimedia programme for young people and it runs intercultural projects for schools.

Additional Resources:

Government's overall approach to intercultural dialogue

Database of Good Practice on Intercultural Dialogue

Key Resources

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