Balbriggan Integration Forum Meeting
14 Feb. 2013
Cairde Balbriggan Centre, Hampton Street.
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Table of content :
Attendance
Draft Minutes
Drafting Terms of Reference
In two or three years’ time what would success look like?
Draft Vision, Purpose and Terms of Reference
Page no
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6
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Following a general welcome Emilia Marchelewska presented a summary overview of the background and the
content of earlier meetings of the Integration Forum.
The purpose of the next three sessions (Today, 4 & 25 April) was then outlined:
a) To discuss and agree working ‘Terms of Reference’.
b) To discuss, draft and agree an Integration Forum ‘Action Plan ’2013 – 2015’.
c) To consider the appointment of a ‘Core Group’ to direct and oversee the work of the Integration
Forum.
Though Cairde had been instrumental in the establishment of the Forum, holding the current series of
meetings was with a view to developing stronger ownership and leadership among the participating
individuals, groups and organisations. This reflected Cairde’s commitment to a community development
approach to the work within Balbriggan. Into the future Cairde will continue to support the development of
the Integration Forum and will work with the appointed ‘Core Group’ members who will be accountable to the
overall membership.
By way of a working method for the 3 sessions, it was proposed that data generated from each session would
be written up and circulated in advance of the next session where decisions, if appropriate, could be made by
those present.
Attendance:
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Fingal County Council, Mick Dunne;
Balbriggan Women’s Group, Smret Weakliam
Balbriggan Women’s Group, Mammy Mohamed
Christian Fellowship; GF, Paul Guildea
Family Mirror, John Uwhumiakpor,
Family Mirror, Ema Idowu
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Balbriggan Integration Forum Meeting
14 Feb. 2013
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ICA, Hazel Abdulla
Polish School Lokomotywa, Olaf Berthold
Mother & Toddler Group, Anne Nightingale;
Northside & Beyond International; Aishling White
Citizen Information Centre, Balbriggan, Mary Davitt
Citizen Information Centre, Rush, Alicja laska
Cairde, Ndoma Manuel
Cairde, Emilia Marchelewska
Cairde, Marianna Prontera
Cairde, Sarah Duku,
Cairde Betsy Abu
Cairde, Precious Lyons
Dept. of Social Protection, Noel Hand
Fingal Leader Partnership, Pauline, McNamee;
Fingal Leader Partnership, Sandra Doran
Fingal Leader Partnership, Michelle Mercy
Foroige, Saharon Cuminsky,
HSE mental health services, Ifeany Ukandu
HSE, Laurena Day Centre, Kerry Cuskelly
Gaelscoil Bhaile Brigín, Neasa Ni Bhrian;
Balrothery N.S., Eileen McGovern
H.S.C.L. St. Theresa’s Primary School; Therese Gaskin
Balbriggan Fish & Farmers Market, M.L. Grimes
Lir Antiracism Training, Alice Davis;
Times Consult, Theofile Clegg
Princess Nwosu, resident
Vincent Wade, resident
Draft Minutes
The following is a record of the initial discussions that took place 14 Feb. in Cairde Balbriggan Centre, Hampton
Street.
‘Why did you responded to Cairde’s invitation to attend this series of meetings?’
To support integration and not to be isolated (e.g. mothers, teachers, African women and Irish
women).
To establish links and collaborate on different initiatives (e.g. Yellow Flag Project for children in
schools).
To pool the richness, beauty and potential of other cultures.
To collaborate with ethnic minority communities through mental health and to find ways to work
together.
Address factors affecting integration in our community,
Achieving integration through the creation of business opportunities and jobs.
To breakdown barriers and improve access to services and support systems.
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Balbriggan Integration Forum Meeting
14 Feb. 2013
Drafting Terms of Reference
In starting to identify working ‘Terms of Reference’ participants were asked:
‘What should be in and what should be out as far the work of the Integration Forum is concerned?’
Small Group
What’s in?
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Pears
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Pecans
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Oranges
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3
What’s out?
Education
Bring youth together
Workshops for young people and
parents
More participation in community
events (e.g. farmers market)
×
Representation on complaints and
lobbying on service issues (e.g. rent
allowance from barrier perspective).
Helping to resolve disputes
Getting
integration
into
the
kindergarten
Introducing friendship
Creating awareness
Collecting feedback from various
organisations, services and groups
Providing English language workshops
and seminars
×
×
Non-political
Taking on the actual jobs of
professions
Motivating people to be involved
socially and politically
How to encourage parents to be
interested in school activity and
ensure a cross section of community is
involved.
Being sensitive to people’s various
backgrounds
Treating everyone as equal and
making sure it is a safe place where
both sides are heard
Learning and education on difference
and diversity with the aim of breaking
down fear/mistrust/ignorance
Seeking input of Gardaí
×
×
×
No one personality dominating
No personal agendas
No politics between different
groups
All members may not be able
to be involved in “larger”
“policy” changes because of
the particular “hat” they are
wearing
Rash responses to issues
Balbriggan Integration Forum Meeting
×
×
×
General
public
not
participating.
Blaming recession for not
getting involved – it’s an
opportunity.
14 Feb. 2013
Small Group
Bananas
What’s in?
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Pineapples
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Apples
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What’s out?
Should develop new interesting
projects to happen as: community
radio; language classes and businesses
Provide information and services to
the community
To form sub-groups with the leaders
to report that the task is done
To raise funds for community activities
×
×
Not a service provider
No demonstrations against
political issues
Promoting integration on a nonpolitical basis: socially, culturally &
economically.
Fundraisers??
Grant applications
Doing Anti-Racism Training
Holding a food fair to promote
integration
Providing
accommodation
for
meetings
Hosting an art & music exhibition
Supporting the development of a
cultural centre to promote possibilities
and to access Irish culture
×
×
×
Becoming an employer
Being a vigilante group
Being a political group
Information
Access to service
Language
Law / culture
Retraining / skills
Setting up radio for information
Integration training for community
×
×
×
×
×
Religion
Food
Dress
Money
Treating some people more
importantly than others
Balbriggan Integration Forum Meeting
14 Feb. 2013
In two or three years’ time what would success look like?
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Action on projects that will make the community a better place.
There will be healthy relationships and a better understanding of cultures.
Perfect communication between parents of all children who will be happy to send them to events
without hesitation.
Increased understanding and mutual respect, leading to good social integration and cultural
exchange.
Be able to share experiences collectively and respond collectively.
Good communication, satisfaction in service providers and access to services based on having
confidence in statutory bodies and organisations.
A reduction in the level of complaints about services and community facilities.
Working, vibrant, radiant, colourful Balbriggan (the rainbow town).
Organisations will have more of a focus on prevention rather than intervention (e.g. mental health).
Ability to access key decision makers in local area.
Friendships being developed.
People solving problems/issues.
People saying “I am comfortable” being in Balbriggan because of the Forum.
Breaking isolation.
Couples and marriages from different cultures taking place.
Cook/eat food from other cultures and seeing people dressings differently.
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Balbriggan Integration Forum Meeting
14 Feb. 2013
Draft Vision, Purpose and Terms of Reference
1. Vision of Balbriggan Integration Forum:
Insofar as possible, social integration will be the norm among all communities in Balbriggan by sharing the
richness, beauty and potential of all people and their respective cultures. Positive inter-cultural
relationships will add significantly to the quality of people’s lives in the ‘rainbow town’. Addressing
common needs through creative responses with the assistance of voluntary organisation’s and statutory
agencies will lead to improved access to services, support systems and new community facilities being
developed within the town.
2. Primary Purpose:
To promote, on a voluntary basis, social integration on a cultural and economic basis that benefits all
Balbriggan’s residents, while remaining non-political.
3.
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b)
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g)
h)
i)
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k)
l)
m)
n)
Terms of Reference:
To address community needs and common needs across all ethnic groups based on equality, social
inclusion, human rights and responsibilities.
To challenge attitudinal and structural obstacles to full integration between Balbriggan’s many
communities.
To source, administer and account for funds and grants.
To provide networking opportunities and fora for dialogue to take place between community groups
and representatives of relevant voluntary and statutory organisations.
To advocate for improve access to services and support systems on behalf of ethnic minority
communities and the native community to relevant service providers and policy makers locally,
nationally and internationally.
To organise a programme of educational and cultural activities for various age groups.
To contribute to relevant civic initiatives and projects that addresses racism and overcome social and
cultural barriers.
To establish links with and, where appropriate, partnerships initiatives with like-minded groups and
organisations.
To support and assist community development, business and job opportunities.
To encourage and facilitate participation in all aspects of Balbriggan’s civic life.
To gather and disseminate relevant information, research and community feedback.
To provide educational programmes and skills development training based on regular needs analysis.
To form short-term working groups that will assist in the implementation of the Forum’s actions and
targets.
To review the Forum’s working methods and achievements in consultation with the membership and,
where appropriate, funders and sponsors.
The project is funded by The Fingal County Council and the Office for the Promotion of Migrants Integration
Contact: Emilia Marchelewska - Balbriggan Integration Project Leader / emilia@cairde.ie / mob. 0877488766 / Cairde Dublin, 19
Belvedere Place, Dublin 1; ph. 08552111 / Cairde Balbriggan, Old St. Georges School House, Hampton Street, Balbriggan; ph.
018020785 / www.cairde.ie / www.healthfacts.ie / www.facebook.ie/CairdeCentre
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Balbriggan Integration Forum Meeting
14 Feb. 2013