International conference tackling stigma surrounding migrants opens in Kilkenny
By COLIN BARTLEY
MANY Kilkenny people don’t know the difference between a refugee, a migrant, and an asylum seeker.
This is the conclusion of a survey taken following The International Conference on the Stigmatisation of Migrants in Kilkenny last year.
The second annual conference is being held in Kilkenny this weekend and will address this issue, as well as others such as integration, direct provision and the empowerment of women.
Organised by Kilkenny’s Twilight Community Group, the conference will welcome a number of European and world diplomats, including His Excellency, the Ambassador of Morocco Lahcen Mahraou, Lithuania’s Deputy Head of Mission, Virginija Umbrasienė and the Polish and Moldovan ambassadors.
On the back of last year’s successful conference, the Twilight Community Group released a survey, which was completed by 1250 people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities.
The results found most people do not understand the difference between migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. More do not know anything about the assistance these people get from the government.
The conference, being held in the Club House Hotel in Kilkenny tomorrow, which is co-funded by the ‘Europe for Citizens’ programme, will set about devising ways to address the knowledge gap unearthed in the survey. It will also hear from national bodies who are working on integration programmes.
Stephanie McDermott, an IT Carlow lecturer on equality, citizenship, rights and activism, will address the delegates, while Pat Daly of the GAA and Des Tomlinson of the FAI will speak at the conference about inclusion in sport.
Kilkenny’s Junior Minister, John Paul Phelan, will also address the up to 100 delegates expected.
The conference will be recorded by an Indian TV station from Bengal who will broadcast the event as an example of the work of the Europe for Citizens programme.
The Wheel, the umbrella group for Ireland’s charities, community and voluntary groups, will also be in attendance.
The conference gets underway at 10am at the Club House Hotel tomorrow. All are welcome, and admission is free.
