Changing Ireland - The experience of 7 immigrants to Ireland

Sergey is from Russia

Magdalena is from Poland

Zakria is from Afghanistan

Rosaleen is from Ireland

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Paul is from Singapore

Tyra is from Brazil

.... &' Emeka is from Nigeria

The NCCRI and Equality Commission for Northern Ireland wish to acknowledge and thank Derek Speirs, Kate Morris and most of all those who agreed to participate in this publication. The Publishers also wish to acknowledge and thank the Chairperson for the NCCRI Anastasia Crickley and the National Action Plan Against Racism (NPAR) chaired by Lucy Gaffney which part funded Changing Ireland. NCCRI www.nccri.ie Equality Commission for Northern Ireland www.equalityni.org NPAR www.diversityireland.ie

Introduction

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Context

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Stories

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Resources

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Changing Ireland is aimed at promoting a greater awareness of what it means to be part of a minority ethnic community in Ireland. It is hoped that it will highlight Ireland as an increasingly intercultural society and contribute to combating racism. Ireland has seen many changes in recent years. One of these is the increasing ethnic and cultural diversity in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, mainly as a consequence of increased inward migration. At the heart of this publication are portraits of the lives of seven people. It intends to provide a sense of diversity in Ireland, North and South. It reflects their experiences as individuals rather than seeking to generalise on the experience of all. Changing Ireland draws its inspiration from a booklet published to mark European Year Against Racism in 1997, called A Part of Ireland Now,* which focused on the stories of ten refugees in Ireland. Among them were people like Sabine Shorts (née Wizniak) who fled the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw, which was soon to be taken over and its inhabitants annihilated by the Nazis. Sabine was one of the few to find refuge in Ireland. Also featured was the story of Fardus Sultan. She fled Bosnia in March 1993 at the height of the war and who became a refugee in Ireland. Changing Ireland has a broader focus. It is inclusive of those who have come to Ireland, North and South as refugees but it also seeks to highlight the individual stories of labour migrants and those from existing minority ethnic communities, in particular the Irish Traveller community. It is intended that more individuals from diverse communities will be featured in future editions of this publication. Derek Speirs’ evocative and engaging photography is a key feature of this publication, providing as it does a sense of identity, place, work and family. Perhaps most importantly of all, his photographs provide a sense of the interaction and participation of people from different groups in a changing Ireland. This is not to gloss over the problems and challenges of living in a diverse society. Opinion surveys and reports from both Northern Ireland and Ireland show that while for most the experience of living here has been generally positive, people from minority ethnic groups have also felt the bitter sting of * Interviews by Andy Pollock and photography by Derek Spiers. 4

racism – of being treated in a way that is not acceptable and which denies them equality, human rights and respect. We are very grateful to both Derek Speirs for his photography and to Kate Morris from the NCCRI who coordinated this initiative and whose interviews feature in this publication. Above all, we are indebted to Zekria Bakhshi, Paul Yam, Emeka Omwubiko, Rosaleen McDonagh, Tayra McKee, Sergey Taratutin and Magdalene Kierdelewicz who allowed their stories to be told. Changing Ireland is both a record and a resource. It aims to provide the stories of people in a way that is accessible to a wide audience. It can also be used as a resource for teachers and young people in second level education and onwards.

A recent publication noted that ‘Northern Ireland has been home to minority ethnic communities for centuries. It notes that Irish Travellers are an indigenous minority ethnic group. In addition there has been a Jewish community in Northern Ireland for well over a century. The first members of the Indian community arrived here in the 1920s and 1930s and there have been significant numbers of Chinese people in the North since the 1960s’.1 The 2001 Census identified that there was a total of 26, 659 people living in Northern Ireland who were born outside the UK and ROI, while 14, 279 people identified as belonging to a minority ethnic minority, out of a total population of 1.68 million. However, because of recent migration and undercounting, it is likely that this figure is at least 45,000, about 2.5% of the Northern Ireland population. In recent years, the patterns of migration to Northern Ireland by non-British or Irish nationals have changed considerably. Since 2001 a substantial number of Portuguese nationals have taken up employment, primarily in the food processing industry; many hospital trusts have been recruiting nursing staff from South Asia and the Philippines; and many other sectors of the economy have increasingly turned to abroad to fill vacancies. More recent-

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ly, large numbers of nationals from the ten new European States that joined the European Union in May 2004 have moved to Britain and Ireland to take up employment.2 Current immigration appears to be much more rapid than previously the case and migrants workers are coming from countries without a recent history of immigration to the UK and Ireland. Figures from the Department of Social Development indicate that 31,421 from 120 different countries applied for National Insurance numbers between April 2003 – June 2005. The largest number of applications for this period comes from Poland (6,710), Lithuania (3,586), Portugal (3,246), India (2,140), Slovakia (2,034), the Philippines (1,230) and China (1,085). These figures only identify people taking up work and thus do not indicate the number of people who subsequently return home or move to another part of UK or Ireland, nor do they incorporate family members or dependents. There is therefore still no clear picture of the ethnic minority communities in Northern Ireland. The recent trends in inward migration to Northern Ireland appear to be driven by a number of factors, including: • the lack of skilled labour in certain key areas of the public and private sectors; • companies in Northern Ireland are increasingly active in seeking to source labour from outside Northern Ireland; • the pull factor from existing migrants in Ireland who are encouraging and assisting friends and relations to access employment in Northern Ireland; and • the push factors from sending countries, including the new EU member states, where migrant labour is sourced.

There has been growing cultural and ethnic diversity in the Republic of Ireland in recent years. There are growing Asian and African communities and more recently there has been a significant increase in people migrating to Ireland from the ten new EU States. These communities have added a further dimension to other existing minority ethnic and religious communities including Travellers and the Jewish and Muslim communities. The 2002 Census of Population provides the most comprehensive breakdown of national diversity in Ireland to date and identifies five main regions

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of origin for migrants living in Ireland. These are the UK and other EU nationals (3.4% of the total population), Asian (0.5%), African (0.5%), non-EU Europeans (0.5%), and the United States (0.3%). The Census also identified that the Traveller population in Ireland was around 24,000, representing 0.6% of the population of Ireland, although non-governmental organisations (NGOs) feel that the true figure is closer to 30,000.3 There has been dramatic inward migration from the new EU States into Ireland since May 2004. 150,000 Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN) have been given to EU nationals in the period between May 2004 and December 2005.4 Minority Ethnic groups now account for 8% of the total Irish labour force, one of the highest percentages in the European Union. In addition, 40,000 new jobs are expected to be created in 2006.5

In conclusion, the increasing ethnic and cultural diversity in Ireland, North and South, is to be welcomed and builds on the diversity that already exists. Changing Ireland shows the positive contribution that has been made through the lives of those featured and the interaction that takes place – an interaction that is increasingly being seen as a normal part of a changing society. 1 A Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland, 2005-2010, (2005). Office for the First and Deputy First Minister. Also see Connolly, Paul, (2002). Race and Racism in Northern Ireland: A Review of the Research Evidence 2 Jarman, Neil, (2005). Migration and Northern Ireland. Extract from briefing paper in Spectrum, Journal of the NCCRI, (December 2005) www.nccri.ie 3 Pavee Point Travellers Centre (2005). Irish Travellers Shadow Report to the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, p.18. 4 Some of these numbers will have been allocated to people who were in Ireland prior to 2004 on work permits; some are returning Irish emigrants. 5 FÁS (2005). The Irish Labour Market Review 2005. Government of Ireland (2005), National Action Plan Against Racism ‘Planning for Diversity’.

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Zekria Bakhshi lives with his wife and five children in west Dublin. He arrived in Ireland in 1999 under extraordinary circumstances. Zekria worked as a gynaecologist in Kabul from 1990 to 1996. During this period civil war raged in Afghanistan and his situation became impossible. Following the collapse of communism, different political bodies fought for control. One of the most powerful bodies was the Taliban who initially took control of Kandahar in the South and, by 1996, dominated Kabul. The changes in society enforced by this regime had to be strictly adhered to. "The Taliban were extremist and fundamental", Zekria recalls. "They were against human rights. Women were not allowed to work or come out of their homes without their husbands. It was such a difficult time for my family." Zekria was forbidden to practise his profession because gynaecology was considered to be an immoral occupation. Fortunately he had good English and was able to get a job as an interpreter with the Red Cross, the only nongovernmental organisation permitted to report on the situation at that time. "I knew I had to help my country. International society was ignoring our situation, they were in the dark. There was a huge lack of reporting due to restrictions on the media while wealthy Super Powers were paying no attention to Afghanistan." 9

While working as an interpreter with the Red Cross, Zekria also worked with John Simpson, the highly renowned Foreign Affairs Editor for the BBC on a documentary called The Forgotten War. They travelled all over Afghanistan, documenting the Taliban, its origins and the development of the country’s situation at that time.

At a controlled press conference on the documentary, an officer for the Taliban recognised Zekria’s face in the film. They accused him of reporting untruths and producing propaganda. Zekria had to seek help and protection from journalists and ask for their assistance in protecting his family. "A journalist recognised the seriousness of my situation and told the Minister I had a very important meeting with the head of the Taliban. The journalist took me immediately to a safe area at the Red Cross Headquarters, from where I called my wife. She told me not to come home as there were already gunmen outside waiting for me." Zekria was secretly brought into hiding in Pakistan where his family later joined him. The Red Cross contacted John Simpson from Pakistan. He had returned to Britain but on hearing Zekria was in trouble he arranged for him to be brought to refuge in Dublin. Zekria remembers the warm welcome from John Simpson and other journalists at Dublin airport. It was only at this point that Zekria and his family felt genuinely safe and free. On his arrival, Zekria was determined to get accommodation and a job. He settled in Castleknock, Dublin. It was especially important for him to start working immediately. However, he could not work as a gynaecologist because the Irish Medical Council needed a letter of good standing from his old Medical Council, which no longer existed. Instead, Zekria had to repeat the last three years of his studies at Trinity College. "While practicing in Ireland I am often reminded of my old professor in Afghanistan. When I first started college he told me it was important to attend exams in your best clothes, like you are going for a celebration, celebrating your work and studies. I have adopted this attitude to my work in

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Ireland. Everyday when I go to work I prepare myself like I am going to a celebration, a celebration of freedom and life!" Zekria believes that participation is the ability to work and contribute to Irish society. As a doctor, he contributes by looking after patients and in return he can look after his family. At local community level, the family participates through the local Educate Together School. The school provides an important community space to discuss Afghanistan’s culture and religious beliefs during special events.

"We make food and bring this in to share with the other parents, children and teachers, food such as Ashak, Kofta and rice. This dish became famous in the school..." Zekria is given the opportunity to talk about Islam and Ramadan with parents and children. For him, discussing religion and breaking down fear factors are very important in developing an intercultural society. He believes the situation for immigrants in Ireland is improving. "Now you see many immigrants in Ireland," he points out. "This makes me feel more at ease, as I know we are not experiencing this alone. When we look into each other's eyes, we know we have a similar story. When we first came to Dublin, I could not believe where I had ended up. But when we visited the United Nations Refugee Agency seeking help and support, I was greeted at the entrance by a great big picture of Einstein. At the bottom was written 'Einstein was a refugee also'. I will never forget this image and the effect it had on me." March 21st is the United Nations International Day Against Racism. It is also Nowroze, the first day of spring and New Year's Day in Afghanistan.

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Rosaleen McDonagh is a community worker, political activist, academic and playwright. Originally from Sligo, she now lives in Dublin and works as a Joint Co-ordinator of the Women Against Violence Programme at Pavee Point Travellers’ Centre. Irish Travellers are an indigenous minority ethnic group with a shared history and value system. They have their own language, called Cant, as well as distinct customs and traditions. "Many Travellers feel that we have to hide who we are", Rosaleen says. "Racism is everywhere. We all have stories of having being bullied in school. When it comes to looking for work, it’s just too dangerous saying who you are. All this stuff builds up in your mind… you think you’re going mad, having to hide who you really are. Then you remember that this is Ireland where it's still not 'cool' to be a Traveller." Rosaleen describes the experience of Travellers in Ireland today as one of social and cultural exclusion. She believes Traveller culture should be respected, accepted and celebrated. The ethnicity of Travellers, living in a multicultural Ireland, is not given the status it deserves.

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Her experience of segregation and a lack of participation goes back to her experience at primary school level, when Traveller children of all educational capabilities attended separate ‘Special Education’. Here, Traveller children were put into one separate class and played in a separate playground to settled children.

"I believe that this experience damaged my self-confidence. I felt like I was always playing catch-up with settled children and catch-up with non-disabled children. Because of this segregation I never had settled friends." Today there are more and more young Travellers doing their Junior and Leaving Certificates but there are still teachers working with Traveller children on the basis of identity rather then need. "This segregation is very damaging", Rosaleen says. "But I also think that within our own community young boys and girls have really stood up to the challenge. Being the first one in your family to go to secondary school, despite all the negative assumptions and racism about Travellers, is tough. Then again, we are a resilient community." Rosaleen is a Traveller woman representing her community’s lack of human rights in Ireland. After graduating from Trinity College Dublin with a degree and an MPhil in Ethnic and Racial Studies, she decided to run for election to Seanad Éireann from the Trinity College constituency, encouraged by her peers, Catherine Joyce and Martin Collins. "As a graduate of Trinity College, I knew about the Senate and the way that they have a particular Independent seat. It was Martin Collins who encouraged me to get involved and represent our community through political participation." As Rosaleen waited for the count, she sat with friends and supporters on the steps of one of the buildings in Trinity. Somebody had spray painted the word 'knacker' on the ground. Rosaleen wasn’t elected that year, but she felt the experience was of huge significance and was very important.

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Rosaleen is proud that she does not and will not hide her cultural identity. She is proud of her heritage and being part of a strong community. However, she thinks and hopes that her most important act of participation in Irish society is expressing Traveller life experience to the greater public through her writing. "I suppose I think our lives are fascinating. I think our love stories are the best and our heartaches are the worst. Of course, these feelings are universal but I always felt that Traveller culture was misrepresented in mainstream TV drama and fiction. I got tired of us playing the rogue, the criminal or the romantic hero. I think it’s really important that we tell our own stories, that we challenge each other. I’m bursting with pride at the success of my friends and colleagues." In 2003 the Project Theatre staged Rosaleen’s award-winning production The Babydoll Project, a one-woman show depicting the social care system for Travellers in the 1960s and 70s. "Graduation from Trinity was, and still is, a big deal for me but the biggest trip of all is when you get four actors to read your words and other Travellers come up and embrace you. That, for me, is real participation." Rosaleen is concerned about the levels of participation and under representation of the Traveller community in Irish society. She feels that very little alternative action has been invested by the Irish State to increase the participation of Travellers in areas such as business, politics or the arts. Relatively successful Travellers are often put under huge presser to hide their identity and buy into the terminology of settled people, thus using the term 'settled Traveller'. She says that for the Traveller community to participate fully in Irish society, the State needs to recognise them as a minority ethnic group living in Ireland. **She feels very uncomfortable about the way racism is now presented in Irish society as a new phenomenon and that Travellers seem to be invisible in inter-cultural debates. "Traveller ethnicity is not valued or recognised and therefore our culture doesn’t get respected. It’s almost like it’s not cool to be racist to newer communities but it’s alright to use words like knacker." **Ironically, Travellers are recognised as a distinct ethnic group in Northern Ireland under the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997 'as people with a shared history, culture and traditions including, historically, a nomadic way of life on the island of Ireland'.

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Paul Yam arrived in Northern Ireland for the first time in December 1984. His family is originally from China and moved to Singapore. He comes eighth in a large family, with six sisters and two brothers. Paul has lived in Northern Ireland for twenty years. His wife is Northern Irish and his son Jordan was born here. Paul has truly put his stamp on Northern society by getting involved at a local community level but also at a policy level while working as a Commissioner with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. "When I first arrived in Belfast my first impression was how differently people saw me", he says. "In Singapore we don’t put people into boxes so easily. This was most immediate when I started college. I felt very different when doing simple things like going to the shops. My English was not great and others found it difficult to understand me while I found the Northern accent 17

very difficult to understand. Communication just kept breaking down." Paul is proud of his culture and the ability for immigrants from China and Singapore to adapt to different cultural surroundings. He has been very much influenced by Singapore’s interfaith and intercultural society and grew up surrounded by Malaysian, Indian, Western and Chinese cultures. He points out that there is a willingness for different ethnic groups in parts of Asia to interact with each other. People live very close to one another and as a result people from all different backgrounds meet and interact on a dayto-day basis. Difference is everywhere and not so much a barrier as a positive element that draws everyone together and makes life more interesting. "China has an ancient history and culture. The language is three thousand years old and is based on pictures and sounds. It can be recognised easily by different Asian people and as a result tends to unify us." Due to its large population, the lifestyle in Singapore is a lot more hectic than in Ireland and very competitive. People work extremely hard and are expected to work longer hours and take shorter holidays. Paul believes this is due to the need for people to survive, the lack of natural resources in Singapore and the reliance on human resources. The work force is highly educated and a positive attitude to academia is passed on from generation to generation. Young children focus on academic achievement in order to strive in society. "Singapore is quite different from Northern Ireland. It is a multicultural city and life is hectic, everything has to be done yesterday. Northern Ireland is much more relaxed. People try to have time for one another, especially when people need help or support." When Paul finished high school, he completed his national service in Singapore and then moved immediately to Ireland, planning to study in Northern Ireland. He had also visited for a two-week summer holiday in 1984 – coincidently, one of the best summers Ireland had ever experienced! Paul studied at Newcastle Technical College specialising in art, design and photography. He then studied advertising and photography at Rochester University in Kent and later went to London to get professional experience. In 1990 Paul came back to Ireland and set up his own advertising and photography business, which he developed for seven years. During this time, he worked with youth groups and young members of the community and got to know students from Hong Kong, Malaysia and China

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living in the North. They created a strong support network for each other and helped one another. It was while participating in the community work that Paul read an advertisement for a position as a community development worker for the Chinese Welfare Association in Craigavon. In 2000 he was officially appointed as the Director.

Paul’s work is all about participating in Northern society and developing community relations. His aim in life is to work towards creating equality for all. "In my view the black and ethnic minority community is simply not able to participate equally with the wider community. My role is to reduce this gap. I feel strongly that it is essential to support all people’s rights. I am trying to educate and influence others through my experience and trying to explain how wonderful it could be if we accepted different cultural backgrounds." "If people truly began to see the strengths of immigration and appreciate these strengths we could create a much stronger society. In conflict our society is weak." Participating in the political arena is also important to Paul and helps him make his mark on society. He finds the racial and sectarian attacks the most discouraging aspect of living in Northern Ireland today. "I vote and lobby on issues that I think need to be addressed to make this society a better place. The country has become a life-long friend to me and this is my way to give back. I have been influenced greatly by Irish society… my friends and my work have changed me as a person."

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Singapore.

Tayra McKee is from Sao Paulo, Brazil. She has been living in County Down since 2002. She is now 28 and currently works as a union organiser for the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers Union (AGTWU). Tayra moved to Northern Ireland just after she finished her studies in psychology in Brazil. While studying she worked in research, providing psychological support to young offenders and women who were HIV positive. Sao Paulo is one of Brazil’s largest cities with a population of over 17 million people. It was once known as the food capital of the world due to its immense cultural diversity. "Brazil is made up of so many different cultures and ethnicities," she explains. "In the south you find white skin and blue eyes, and as you travel north you see much darker people. Everyone is accepted as Brazilian in this very diverse society. People are keen to try more unusual things and experience new cultures. There is also that sense of anonymity so people can be more free to be themselves in ways." Tayra met her Irish husband in Sao Paulo Francisco while she was carrying out research at a university. They developed a long distance relationship, travelling back and forth between San Francisco and Sao Paulo. Eventually she knew that a big life changing decision had to be made. 21

"I knew that I had to think seriously about my future. Eventually we decided to get married and then we had to choose where to set up home. It was too difficult for my husband Peter to get a job in Brazil as he didn’t have the language and the economic climate meant that it was impossible to get work. Neither of us had a support network in the US so the most obvious option was Ireland." Tayra’s image of Ireland was fuelled by U2 videos and media portrayals of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Her family was anxious when she first mentioned that she was thinking of moving there. "They had a very strong image of Ireland linked with the IRA. Whenever Ireland featured on the news in Brazil it was based on the Troubles. On top of this I arrived here just after the episode at Holy Cross. This was all over the news in Brazil and the images terrified my family." Living in Northern Ireland as an international couple also brought more profound questions of allegiances for Tayra. "In relation to the political tension in Northern Ireland, I didn’t have the option to pick a side, it was picked for me", she explains. "This can effect decisions in life like last year when we wanted to buy a house but we had to reconsider as it was in the wrong area. However, I am so relieved that this atmosphere is changing." Tayra spent seven months applying for all sorts of jobs. Initially she applied for work in psychology. However her qualifications from Brazil were not recognised so she found herself applying for any kind of work at all. In seven months she was called for two interviews although applying for at least three or four positions per week. "After those seven months I was destroyed, my confidence was knocked. All the mail arriving through my letterbox was negative. I told myself that if nothing happened after twelve months I would go back to Brazil and told Peter he could follow me!" Tayra decided she needed to get out of the house and through her family network she got involved with The Volunteers Bureau. It was here she found out about the Portuguese community in Dungannon. They needed a volunteer translator and wanted to gather people together to start a community development project. This was Tayra’s first real experience of true participation in Northern Irish society. Initially she worked in a voluntary capacity, helping to develop the project but then was fully employed as a community development worker. At last, after eighteen months, she had a full time job.

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The organisation, STEP, developed a partnership with the ATGWU and when this organisation advertised for a union Organiser, Tayra applied for the position and was successful. This has resulted in Tayra working directly on behalf of the Brazilian and Latin American community at union level. Participating in the community is what makes Tayra’s life more enjoyable and gives purpose to her day. "Participation in society is what my position is all about", she says. "I’m involved in many minority ethic community groups and I’m a trustee for the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. My work with the ATGWU is about empowering the workers; it is about everyone in the work place, local and new members of the community, operating together. That is my biggest contribution – giving a voice to all working class people." When asked how Irish she feels, Tayra explains that she is somewhere in limbo, a hybrid, neither Irish nor Brazilian. Living away from home can be really difficult and it is important for her to be strong, she says. The hardest thing is missing her family. No matter how much you talk on the phone you still long for the intangible things.

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Sergey was born in Moscow, the seventh largest city in the world with a population of 13 million. He is married with two children, daughter Anastasia and son Alexey. He studied aviation engineering in Moscow during the Cold War and was destined to become a military engineer, designing rockets for the Russian Government. With the introduction of Perestroika and economic reform, he developed an interest in business and moved to London where he studied at the Securities and Investment Institute. Sergey spent a number of years in London trading metals before returning to Moscow to work in investment banking. Following the economic crisis in Moscow in 1998, he decided to invest abroad once more. Sergey arrived in Ireland in 1999 to set up a number of small businesses. His first exposure to Irish culture had been in 1998 when the first duty free shop was opened in Moscow with its very own Irish pub. Initially he opened the first Russian restaurant, Tsar Ivan’s, and now publishes an ever-increasing number of international newspapers for a rapidly diversifying Irish market. His first Irish enterprise ran for a couple of years but unfortunately the tourism industry had been badly affected, following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease and then September 11th.

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While still running the restaurant, Sergey recognised a gap in the Irish media market for Russian enterprises to advertise directly to the Russian market. In 2001 he decided to launch Ireland’s first Russian newspaper. The paper grew quickly due to the influx of immigrants and the rise in the Irish economy and he soon established Lithuanian and Latvian editions. One of Sergey’s greatest difficulties in adapting to the Irish pace of life was trying to co-ordinate his day-to-day business and setting out his diary. "Irish people are happy to let things happen at an easy pace", he says. "I remember going on a business trip to Mullingar with my partner. We had a couple of meetings, a light lunch and returned to the car to head back to Dublin. However, when we tried to put our cases into the boot the key broke and we needed it to start the car. The solution… let's go to the pub. When we arrived at the pub word had travelled fast about our situation. In seconds, we had a party of people wanting to help us, offering temporary cars and contact details of family members who worked for a garage and could access a key… it took so long to make a decision that the day was nearly over by the time it was made. A Russian would just find the quickest possible way to get on the road, without conversing with the community. I found it really heartening that people were so willing to come to our assistance." One of Sergey’s favourite Russian traditions that he has imported to Ireland is 'banya' – a Russian sauna, which involves steam, intense heat and cold, and an invigorating beating with birch leaves and branches. The Russian community in Ireland tries to keep this tradition alive and to attract a new Irish following. Sergey and his family go several times a week with friends and it seems to be growing. In Ireland they use regular saunas, but with the necessary additions to make it more authentic. Sergey says that he has seen many changes in Irish society since he arrived in 1998. Dublin has become visually much more multi-cultural. His mission is to show Russians the reality and practicalities of living here. He also hopes to show both cultures how they can benefit from each other, highlighting the similarities and involving Russian immigrants in Irish society through business opportunities. "I work with the Irish-Russian Enterprise and try to develop the trade and business element of our countries, opening up business opportunities to

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benefit both countries. I have great Irish friends whom I socialise with. We now have a team of businessmen that visit towns in Russia and Ireland for recreation and adventure." "I believe that all the Irish are related to each other, all three million people can find a relationship, it's like a great big family. The Russian and Irish spirit is quite similar. You can sense the northern influence from the Normans and the Vikings in both countries. I also find a lot of similarities between the Russian and Gaelic language, in relation to the sound and pronunciation." For Sergey, an important aspect of participating in Irish society is getting involved at a political level and voting in local elections. He believes that it is very important for the Russian community to get involved in the Census so that the State can gather information and statistics on the Russian community to promote their interests. He says that he tries to adapt to Irish society along the line of the old Russian saying that advises 'don’t bring your samovar to Tula'. A samovar, he explains, is a metal urn used in Russia to boil water for tea and Tula is the town in western Russia which is famous for making them… Sergey’s basic philosophy is not to try to change the culture you have been accepted into but rather to respect the local traditions.

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Magdalene Kierdelewicz was born in Bialystok, in north-east Poland. When she was 19 years old, she moved to the university town of Posnan where she studied sociology and international business, graduating in 2004. After Magdalene graduated, she was determined to travel and take time-out before looking for a secure job in Poland. A close friend who was staying in Ireland at the time asked her to visit him. She decided to take a leap of faith and booked her tickets to Ireland. After 14 months in Ireland, she is now the Director of the Polish Cultural and Information Centre. Magdalene is extremely proud of Poland’s contribution to European arts and sciences. Some of the world's leading Nobel Prize-winning scientists and artist come from Poland, including the great Polish composer and pianist Fryderyk Chopin and Maria Sklodowska-Curie, scientist and twice Nobel Prize award-winner. Like many immigrants in Ireland, she explains how her new life in Dublin is similar to every working individual across the globe. The most important act of participation in Irish society for Magdalene is through her work. She had good English when she came to Dublin and this helped her to settle in naturally. In Poland, she was part of the first generation of pupils to be taught English in school. Her generation lived through a major transitional period 29

of Polish history. It became a trend for young Polish students to learn English, French and German as Poland began to open up its borders. "I think many politicians in Poland are using their powerful positions for personal gain", she says. "This makes life difficult in Poland, especially for young people looking to the future, who see how this lack of positive change will ultimately effect their lives." Key elements of her work are promoting Polish culture to Irish people and helping Polish immigrants to understand different aspects of Irish society such as politics and how Ireland is adapting to its new intercultural society. Magdalene explains that her job has forced her to understand the workings of Irish politics and how Ireland, as a member of the European Union, is managing to deal with such phenomenal changes. As a support organisation for many young Polish immigrants in Ireland, her work has uncovered an underbelly in Irish industry. There are many stories of exploitation and discrimination in the Irish work place. "I come across stories all the time from young Polish immigrants," she says. "The law is often being broken and manipulated. People work hard for companies and taxes are deducted but these taxes are actually not going to State revenue but to personal accounts." "There can also be an expectation by some staff members that immigrants should work harder. It's as if we have to prove ourselves. When it comes to serious things like finances people become anxious… you can be kept in suspense waiting for your cheque that you have worked hard for." Magdalene had travelled extensively and spent a lot of time abroad as a student in Germany and the US but has never experienced the friendly nature of the Irish. Her expectations and imagination created a totally different image to the reality. "I arrived into Dublin late at night because I had missed my connecting flight from Paris", she remembers. "My friend, now my boyfriend, met me at the airport and we took the 16A to the city centre. We left my luggage in a friend’s house and he took me for a walk. We walked all over the city from Temple Bar to Smithfield across the Liffey to Georgian Dublin. I remember the smell of the Guinness in the air, especially in around Dublin 8 and Temple Bar." "At first I was a bit baffled as to why he took me for such a long walk on my first evening in Dublin, but now I understand what he was doing, he was introducing me to the heart of Dublin and my new home. It was really special."

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Magdalene is still unsure if she will settle in Ireland forever. Like many who migrate for work, she still pictures her children being raised in Poland. However as time passes and both her partner and herself become increasingly immersed in Irish society, she explains that she is starting to change her mind. At the moment she feels disillusioned by the political situation in Poland. In her eyes the political system deteriorated when democracy arrived, due to the lack of one strong political party. Now political leadership changes every couple of years. Right now, living in Dublin, she feels unquestionably free.

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Emeka Omwubiko plays football for the Republic of Ireland Under 17s football team. Born in Igboland, South East Nigeria, he is proud of his rich Igbo culture and language. Emeka describes his lifestyle in Ireland as quiet, disciplined and independent as his mother taught him from a young age how to defend and take care of himself. These characteristics have stood by him on his journey to play football for the Republic of Ireland. Emeka was twelve years old when he came to Ireland from Nigeria. His level of English was above average and this helped him to settle into his new lifestyle with ease. When his father first explained to him he would be leaving Nigeria, Emeka felt excited at the prospect of experiencing another country and culture, but deep down he had one important motivation in mind – football. Emeka imagined that his chances of pursuing a career in football were greater in Europe so he decided to join his mother and sisters in Dublin. "When I landed in Dublin I couldn’t believe the cold", he recalls. "I thought I would never warm up. At first it was quite amazing, all the strange white faces, but once I found recognisable faces, I felt more at ease." Emeka sees Ireland as his new home, a place to bring up his children one day and to come back to if he manages to play for an international club. On a day-to-day basis, his focus is on participating in Irish society by 33

representing his new home to the very best of his ability on the playing field. He considers himself really lucky to have good friends who respect his lifestyle choices and the fact that he doesn't want to go 'too crazy' at weekends. "My favourite place in Dublin is River Valley", he says. "All the lads hang around here or Abbey Lee, playing football and just taking it easy. There is something really friendly and special about this place." Emeka started playing football for his school team in Sallynoggin when he first arrived to Ireland. Later the family moved to Swords, where he joined a new school and started playing for Saint Kevin’s. He recalls how welcoming team members and the coaches were to him. "My coaches have been really good to me and they managed to get me a trial with the Irish Football Team. Vincent Butler was the manager at the time and he really pushed me as a player and encouraged my dream to play for Ireland. In 2005 I represented Ireland in every match. This gave me the faith that I have what it takes to be a professional player." Last year Emeka was scouted by Manchester City at a tournament where he scored twelve goals in six matches and was awarded Player of the Tournament. He was asked to travel to Manchester City for a proposed professional contract but had to turn down the opportunity as he couldn’t travel without an Irish passport.

To add to his frustration, he has also missed the first leg of the European Championship qualifiers in Kiev. His managers have supported him in his efforts to get Irish citizenship and are especially keen for him to represent the country abroad. He has been a member of the team for the past three years and feels he has earned his position. "The second leg is in March and it will be really difficult if I have to stay at home after all the slog and dedication I have invested in this", Emeka says. "I thought my chances to play at international club level were over but then West Brom called me for trials a few months ago. They have offered me a year's contract but again, only if I get an Irish passport. I think Ireland is just getting used to different people from different places and cultures. It’s simple for me, I just want to get my passport and get on with my career."

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Now in his final year in secondary school, he admits that the temptation to focus on football and not his studies is great yet he understands the importance of sitting the Leaving Certificate and having a qualification. “My mates keep me in school and I realise how important it is to get my Leaving Cert to fall back on.”

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The concept of interculturalism is one that sees cultural diversity as a strength that can enrich society. Interculturalism recognises that racism exists and needs to be challenged. An intercultural approach is the development of strategies, policies and practices that encourage interaction, understanding, and respect between different cultures and ethnic groups. This concept is widely advocated by the European Commission in its policy statements and through specific programmes. Intercultural approaches are increasingly being applied to policy areas in Ireland North and South, particularly in relation to education policy. Interculturalism is the opposite to assimilation (the absorption of minority ethnic groups into the dominant culture) and goes beyond multiculturalism which tolerates the culture of minority groups with no acknowledgement of the need to change the negative attitudes and practices of the majority population.

• • • • • • • •

Challenge attitudes Accept that everybody is equal in rights, values and abilities Prosecute racism and discrimination Develop policies to deal with discrimination Interact, collaborate and exchange with people from different cultures Dismantle the myths and labels attached to minority ethnic groups Challenge the systems which result in inequality Change attitudes and behaviours through education, etc.

• Organise an intercultural lunchtime/evening event that draws on the talents of those students/colleagues from different cultures • Organise for someone to come in and to give a talk • Organise a debate on the theme of racism/ethnic diversity or a related theme such as immigration • Launch a policy or a publication linked to the theme of interculturalism • Organise an anti-racism/intercultural training session • Link-up with local community groups to organise an event

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• Issue a press release to mark the event and to highlight some of the challenges, myths and misinformation about groups such as Asylum Seekers, Migrant Workers or Travellers • Display posters and general information in the school or work place so as to show your support for interculturalism and to reflect and promote diversity

www.nccri.ie Website of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, with a wide range of background information, this activity pack and its updates www.equalityni.org Website of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, with information on a range of equality issues including racial equality www.diversityireland.ie Website of the National Action Plan Against Racism www.equality.ie Website of the Equality Authority in the Republic of Ireland, with information on a range of equality issues, including information about the equality legislation www.ihrc.ie Website of the Irish Human Rights Commission www.unhchr.ch/ Website of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, with a section especially for teachers (see 'for teachers' on the main page of the site) www.justice.ie Website of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which includes press statements on Ireland's recent ratification of the CERD and the forthcoming national anti racism public awareness programme www.cre.gov.uk Website of the Commission for Racial Equality in Britain, with a range of information on racial equality issues

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www.nihrc.org Website of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission www.blink.org Website of the 1990 Trust, with links to a number of other sites www.enar-eu.org/http://www.icare.to/ Websites of the European Network Against Racism in Brussels and the Internet Centre Against Racism www.hri.ca/racism/ Website of the Human Rights Institute in Canada that includes updated and comprehensive information on the World Conference www.paveepoint.ie/Pavee Website of Pavee Point Travellers Centre www.itmtrav.com Website of the Irish Traveller Movement www.irishrefugeecouncil.ie Website of the Irish Refugee Council www.refugeecouncil.org.uk Website of the United Kingdom Refugee Council www.immigrantcouncil.ie Website of the Immigrant Council of Ireland www.mrci.ie Website of the Migrant Rights Centre, Ireland www.ria.gov.ie Website of the Reception and Integration Agency

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