The Minister for Integration, Conor Lenihan T.D., has launched Migration Nation, a statement on integration strategy and diversity management. The statement, which says that the percentage of non-Irish born people living in the country “could be as high as 12% of the population”, delineates four key “Principles” which will inform and underpin state policy with regard to integration.
1. A partnership approach between the Government and non-governmental organisations, as well as civil society bodies, to deepen and enhance the opportunities for Integration.
2. A strong link between Integration Policy and wider state social inclusion measures, strategies and initiatives.
3. A clear public policy focus that avoids the creation of parallel societies, communities and urban ghettoes i.e. a mainstream approach to service delivery to migrants.
4. A commitment to effective local delivery mechanisms that align services to migrants with those for indigenous communities.
Launching Migration Nation, the Minister said that “We want to be proactive and plan for an intercultural society where there is cooperation, understanding and a shared responsibility between the different cultural groups. We will succeed in this challenge by working in partnership.”
The report is available on www.diversityireland.ie. The second report from the Public Library Research Programme, Meeting the Challenges of Cultural Diversity: A Report on the Role of Public Libraries in Ireland, was launched on October 17 2007, and can be downloaded here.
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