Ireland grants 90-day visa free entry to Taiwanese

The Republic of Ireland has granted 90-day visa-free entry to Taiwanese citizens starting from July 1st. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
In a quid pro quo response, the foreign ministry says that Irish passport holders will also be able to stay for 90 days in Taiwan without requiring a visa.
Earlier this year the United Kingdom granted visa-free entry for Taiwanese citizens on non-working holidays for up to six months. The foreign ministry says it will continue to push for visa-free entry for Taiwanese passport holders for the United States, Canada and the Schengen Convention countries of the European Union.

Minister for Integration, John Curran, T.D

., launches the website of his Office.Minister John Curran, T.D., today launched the website of the Office of theMinister for Integration. The address of the website is www.integration.ie.The website will highlight the work of the Office and inform migrants andinterested stakeholders of developments in integration and diversitymanagement taking place at a national and international level. It will alsoprovide information on European and national funding streams managed by theOffice, provide links to relevant national and international websites andbe a key source of information for migrants.The Minister stated “This website will be of interest to a wide range ofstakeholders. It will inform migrants about how they can access keyservices such as education, housing and learning English as well asproviding links to multilingual resources which have been developed by arange of service providers specifically for migrants.”He continued “The OMI website will also host an information portal onmigrants and education developed by the Department of Education andScience. This portal will contain links to information on the Irisheducation system, links to resources available for intercultural education,and links to organisations and institutions (in Ireland and abroad)conducting educational research on migration. It will be of interest toall sectors of education from pre-school to higher education and willprovide information for policy makers, parents, teachers, researchers andothers interested in migrants and their education in Ireland. This materialwill also be available on the website of the Department of Education andScience.”Lastly, the Minister referred to the Annual Report of the FundamentalRights Agency which was reported widely in the national newspapers thismorning. This report drew attention to trends in reported incidents ofracism in the period from 2000 to 2007. The figures in the report showed anincrease in racist incidents from 72 in 2000 to 224 in 2007 in Ireland. TheMinister commented "Any racist attack is to be deplored but what the reportdoes not make clear is that these figures must be seen against a backdropof a phenomenal and unprecedented increase in the non Irish nationalpopulation from 224,000 in 2002 to 420,000 in 2006 (i.e an 87% increase ina period of four years) and I am glad that the most recent figuresavailable show that the incidence of recorded racist crime fell by 21% to180 reported incidents in 2008 when the estimated number of non Irishnationals (aged 15 years and over ) was 476,100 (CSO QNHS Q.4 2008)."Ends.The launch of the website of the Office of the Minister for Integrationcoincides with the recent launch of the European Web Site on Integration bythe European Commission. This website has a documentary library, “bestpractice” content, country information on integration of Third CountryNationals from across Europe, and will build an online community ofintegration practitioners. The site can be accessed at www.integration.eu.**********************************************************************************The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. It is the policy of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Agencies and Offices using its IT services to disallow the sending of offensive material.Should you consider that the material contained in this message is offensive you should contact the sender immediately and also mailminder[at]justice.ie.Is le haghaidh an duine nó an eintitis ar a bhfuil sí dírithe, agus le haghaidh an duine nó an eintitis sin amháin, a bheartaítear an fhaisnéis a tarchuireadh agus féadfaidh sé go bhfuil ábhar faoi rún agus/nó faoi phribhléid inti. Toirmisctear aon athbhreithniú, atarchur nó leathadh a dhéanamh ar an bhfaisnéis seo, aon úsáid eile a bhaint aisti nó aon ghníomh a dhéanamh ar a hiontaoibh, ag daoine nó ag eintitis seachas an faighteoir beartaithe. Má fuair tú é seo trí dhearmad, téigh i dteagmháil leis an seoltóir, le do thoil, agus scrios an t-ábhar as aon ríomhaire. Is é beartas na Roinne Dlí agus Cirt, Comhionannais agus Athchóirithe Dlí, agus na nOifígí agus na nGníomhaireachtaí a úsáideann seirbhísí TF na Roinne, seoladh ábhair cholúil a dhícheadú.Más rud é go measann tú gur ábhar colúil atá san ábhar atá sa teachtaireacht seo is ceart duit dul i dteagmháil leis an seoltóir láithreach agus le mailminder[ag]justice.ie chomh maith. ***********************************************************************************

Africa Centres 7th Annual Lecture

Africa Centres 7th Annual Lecture 'The Negative Effects of Economic Crime to Africa's Development- A Liberian Perspective'The Africa centre is proud to announce Commissioner Massa Washington, of the Truth and reconciliation commission (TRC) of Liberia, as guest speaker for the Africa Centre 7th annual lecture 22nd June 2009.Date: 22nd June 2009 Venue: Gresham Hotel, DublinTime: 7-9pmPrice: FREEContact: MbembaEmail contact: mbemba@africacentre.ie

Romanian families have taken refuge in a church in Belfast

Several Romanian families have taken refuge in a church in Belfast, Northern Ireland, after fleeing their homes in the wake of racist attacks, police and media reports say.
The BBC reported that about 115 people, including a five-day-old girl, initially sought refuge in a single house but there were too many of them, prompting the church to offer to help.
"Police in the south Belfast area assisted several organisations in the temporary relocation of a number of families following consultation with community representatives," a police spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
"Families moved to a nearby church and they are being cared for by the appropriate agencies."
On Monday, a group of youths hurling bottles and making Nazi salutes had attacked an anti-racism demonstration by local residents, itself sparked by a spate of attacks on immigrant families in the area.
Jolena Flett, racial harassment adviser for the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities, told the BBC that the Romanians had also been verbally threatened and three properties had been attacked on the same day.
"There has been an issue about the families feeling unsafe in the properties they were attacked in. What we are trying to do is provide them with alternative accommodation," she said.
Malcolm Morgan, pastor at Belfast City Church in southern Belfast, said he had been happy to help.
"It is a sad indictment of our society, but hopefully we can show them a different side to Northern Ireland and a caring side to Northern Ireland," he said.
There have been racial tensions in the area ever since trouble broke out in the buildup to Northern Ireland's 3-2 win over Poland in the 2010 World Cup qualifier in the city at the end of March.

Conference for Community and Voluntary Organisations (June 23, Tullamore)

Date: 23 June 2009Venue: Tullamore Court Hotel , Tullamore. NB changed from original venue.Time: 9.30am - 4.15pm (registration from 9am)The Wheel in association with Irish Rural Link is hosting a special conference in Tullamore to help equip you and your organisation with the latest information and thinking on the key issues currently facing the community and voluntary sector. A panel of experts will brief you on surviving the recession, the Charities Act and the new regulatory framework, fundraising, good governance, online social media and The Wheel’s online support services for commuity and voluntary organisations. This conference is free to members of The Wheel and members of Irish Rural Link, but registration is essential. Members, simply email The Wheel to book your place at register@wheel.ie. Non-members must register online. There is a fee of 30 euro for this event. Non-members, book your place online here:http://events.wheel.ie/eventregister/servlet/ViewEventForm#events

Women’s Aid Launch of Annual Statistics Report

Launch of the Women’s Aid Annual Statistics Report for 2008Date: September 16th 2009 Venue: The Alexander Hotel, Off Merrion Square, Dublin 2Full invitation and details to followContact Laura Shehan: laura.shehan@womensaid.ie

Combat Poverty Research Seminar

Combat Poverty Research Seminar
Poverty and the Life-Cycle in 20th Century Ireland: A Childhood Centred Analysis Researcher: Dr. Jane GrayDepartment of Sociology and National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, NUI MaynoothDate: Tuesday 16th June, 2009 Time: 12.30 – 2pmVenue: The Auditorium, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Goldsmith House, (beside Garda Station), Pearse Street, Dublin 2 Abstract: Previous research carried out for the Combat Poverty Agency demonstrated that childhood disadvantage is strongly linked to exposure to poverty in adulthood. At the same time, most people who experienced poverty in childhood are not poor as adults. Individual life trajectories are complex and diverse, and shaped by human agency as people mobilize changing personal and social resources across the life course. The transition from childhood to early adulthood has been identified as a key ‘turning point’ in individual lives, when most people are likely to experience a reduced risk of poverty, unless other circumstances intervene.Qualitative research has the potential to enhance our understanding of these complex processes. This study drew on a major new qualitative database of life history interviews (comprising both life stories and retrospective life calendars), conducted with respondents in three birth cohorts who participated in the ‘Living in Ireland’ study from 1994 to 2001. The analysis comprised a thematic examination of memories of childhood and ‘starting out’ amongst all forty-seven respondents whose households experienced ‘some’ or ‘great difficulty’ when they were growing up, and a more detailed, comparative examination of a selection of nine life histories (three in each cohort), of respondents who also experienced income poverty during the 1990s. Three distinct historical patterns linking childhood and adult exposure to poverty were identified: (1) selection as ‘kin keeper’ within the family economy of small-farm households in the 1930s and 40s; (2) thwarted social mobility due to adverse circumstance in the 1950s and 60s; (3) ‘ill-timed’ early life transitions in the 1970s and 80s. The analysis emphasizes the extent to which individual life trajectories must be understood in the context of changing socio-historical and social policy environments.If you would like to attend please contact Anne:Phone: 01-602 6612 Email: research.admin@combatpoverty.iepage published on June 10

Multicultural Young People's Award

* IACI-Integration of African Children in Ireland is a national non-profit organisation established in 2003 in response to the growing need to proactively ensure that children from African and other migrant backgrounds have the opportunity to integrate positively. In addition to promoting equality, the IACI addresses issues that impact on the development, health, education and sense of well being and belonging as experienced by young African and migrant children. MYPA-Award aims:To recognizes the unsung heroes whose dedication is making strides in integration and cultural awareness which benefits both newer and more established communities in Irish society.Closing Date: June 30th, 2009http://www.activelink.ie/ce/active.php?id=1963

David Little
Community Worker,
HSE,
LHO Dublin North Central,
44 North Great George's Street,
Dublin 1

Phone (01) 814 6138/ 086 3837201

Email david.little@hse.ie

the wrong way to restrict the Work Permits system

More background information
(courtesy of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland - MRCI)

The changes introduced by the Tánaiste are the wrong way to restrict the Work Permits system. They will have significant social and economic consequences for both workers and employers, the extent of which has not been fully considered. MRCI’s overarching concern is that the changes will lead to enormous confusion among workers and employers and add additional barriers that will create hardship, uncertainty, an increase in those working irregularly and greater exploitation of highly vulnerable workers already in Ireland. For example:• Existing Work Permit-holders who are made redundantThe new proposed rules make it a requirement for a current Work Permit holder who is made redundant from his/her job to have a prospective employer undertake an eight-week Labour Market Needs Test (i.e. list a job vacancy with FÁS for eight weeks and six days in the national press). This test will be an enormous barrier to these individuals re-entering employment as few employers will be willing to wait eight weeks. Many will have been living and working in Ireland for many years with their families and have Long Term Residency applications pending with the Immigration Division of the Department of Justice which currently take two years to process. Such individuals who find themselves made redundant will be forced to leave Ireland or stay and work informally. This will cause a major humanitarian crisis leading to exploitation, exclusion and poverty among these families.• Renewals for future work permit holdersWhen an employer hires someone through the Work Permits system in the future, they will have to re-advertise that employee’s job when their permit comes up for renewal, and go through the Labour Market Needs Test once more. This could lead to an employee with a permit being dismissed from their job and replaced because his/her working permit expired. Among other things, this raises serious questions about basic employment rights and will create huge logistical problems for employers who effectively will have to recruit for a position that is already occupied. There is a Better Way While the MRCI is not opposed to restrictions to the Work Permits system, we believe that there are alternatives to be considered without causing unnecessary hardship, confusion and uncertainty. The MRCI believes that a more humane way to do this is to impose restrictions at the point of issuing work permits to those who are not yet resident in Ireland.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Robert A. Samson
Development Officer
CATHOLIC YOUTH CARE
Arran Quay, Dublin 7
Tel.: +353-1-8725055
Fax: +353-1-8725010
Mob: +353-857237447

MARCH OF SOLIDARITY

MARCH OF SOLIDARITY: PUBLIC INVITATION WE INVITE YOU TO ATTEND AND TO PLEASE NOTIFY ALL YOUR MEMBERS TO TAKE PART. YOUR SUPPORT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. DATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2009 . AT NOON .Survivors of child abuse crimes committed by 18 Religious Orders in 216 Institutions are holding a silent March of Solidarity in Dublin , on Wednesday, June 10, at noon , and invite you to attend. PLACE: Garden of Remembrance to the Dail. Please gather at the Garden of Remembrance at noon and please proceed in total silence throughout the march past GPO to the Dail. PETITION: Outside the Dail at 3pm Christine Buckley, John Kelly, Noel Barry and Michael O’Brien will present the Petition of Solidarity to representatives of the 18 religious orders cited in the Ryan Report, who have been invited to accept it at 3pm . WHITE RIBBONS: The survivors hope you can attend and encourage as many people as possible to participate in the march.We suggest that all participants wear a white ribbon for the silent march. Those who cannot attend across the country can still sign and post the Petition of Solidarity and wear a white ribbon on June 10 in solidarity with the survivors. PETITION OF SOLIDARITY Available online at www.irishsolidarity.com We the people of Ireland join in solidarity and call for Justice, Accountability, Restitution and Repatriation for the unimaginable crimes committed against the children of our country by religious orders in 216 Institutions. Sign and bring to march.If you can’t march, please post petition to PO Box 11618, Swords, Co. Dublin Thank you.Survivors of Institutional Abuse Ireland (SOIAI)(Media queries to: Bette Browne 087 750 1225).
-- Kind Regards,Ruth CarrollPersonal Assistant to Executive DirectorT: 01 662 4070www.oneinfour.org

City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk

In association with Dublin City Council

Who : The Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne; artist and Dublin historian Pat Liddy and Hugo Camacho Romero and his large family of Aztec musicians in traditional dress.

Where : The Upper Yard, Dublin Castle

When : 11.00 a.m. Monday 8th June

Why : To call all people, from all cultures, to join in the Dublin City Summer Solstice celebrations and be part of this all-inclusive celebration of citizenship.


In keeping with the mid summer theme, Hugo and his family will dedicate an Aztec Summer Solstice song to the people of Dublin City


The City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk is a mid summer celebration of all it's citizens.

The Walk takes place at 6.00 p.m. Sunday, 21st June, from the Upper Yard of Dublin Castle.

The circular Walk takes in 1,000 years of Dublin's history and travels through Viking Dublin, Medieval Dublin, Georgian Dublin and includes striking views of the IFSC and Spencer Dock, the Dublin of the future.

"We wanted to create an event that all Dubliners could be part of, whether they were born in Ireland or not" says Dermot Kirwan, spokesman for the City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk. " People have recognised the Summer Solstice since time immemorial, it pre-dates all political and religious differences".

The route chosen by Pat Liddy takes about an hour and a half to walk and gives a real sense of Dublin, it's past and it's future. "The Walk starts and finishes in Dublin Castle. It is a circular Walk, taking in four distinct parts of Dublin history and architecture - Viking, Medieval, Georgian and Doclands/IFSC" says Dermot Kirwan. "For those who know their Dublin, the Walk will be a wonderful reminder of our history and achievements. For those less familiar, they will be amazed at the variety of architectural styles and get a real sense being part of a great city".



"I really welcome this imaginative opportunity for all Dublin's citizens to come together for a celebration that they can all feel part of. I am sure it will strengthen our community bonds that make our capital city special." says Eibhlin Byrne, Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Dublin historian and writer Pat Liddy said "This event will help us to remember that Dublin has always been a city that has prospered because of it's cutural diversity. Scandanavians, Huguenots from France, Italian artisans, Dutch, German and Spanish merchants were all established here."

There will be a few suprises on the route, including interactive entertainment and some 'historical Dublin characters'.

Walkers can do the Sumer Solstice Walk in aid of two Dublin charities if they wish. The charities are Dublin Simon Community and Friends of the Elderly

Summer Solstice Walkers will be awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Lord Mayor of Dublin in the Upper Yard of Dublin Castle on their return.

The City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk is organised by Friends of the Elderly in association with Dublin City Council and supported by Pat Liddy, Temple Bar Cultural Trust, Dublin Bus and DART Services and Dublin Simon Community.

The event is part of the Dublin City Council Summer in Dublin Programme of events and the Let's Walk and Talk series. For more information on Dublin City Council's event programme - log on to www.dublincity.ie




for more information contact Dermot Kirwan. 01 8731855







Friends of the Elderly25 Bolton Street Dublin 101 8731855 087 7771448dkirwan@friendsoftheelderly.iewww.friendsoftheelderly.ie

Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in Action

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A vision of the future
Creativity and innovation in the Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in Action
Dear

Event invitation: A vision of the future
Creativity and innovation in the Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in ActionWe’re proud to invite you to our special exhibition, where you will meet the people behind some of the UK’s most creative and innovative education, training and youth projects ― all funded under the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in Action. When? 14 July 2009, 11am until 3pm.Where? Hall 4, Birmingham ICC, Broad Street, Birmingham,
B1 2EA.Why attend? - Share ideas with organisations that have used their involvement in European partnerships, placements and study visits to boost creativity and innovation in their sectors; - hear from learners and young people about how European work and learning experiences have made them stand out from the crowd; and- speak to policymakers about lifelong learning and youth issues in your area.Who will be there?

Representatives from:- Government and local authorities- Education institutions (schools, colleges, universities)- Not for profit, arts, adult education and youth organisations- Emergency services (fire service, police, NHS)- Businesses- Trade Unions and Chambers of Commerce

PLUS: Experience theatrical performances, interactive displays, awards and demonstrations ― all brought to you by EU Lifelong Learning Programme and Youth in Action projects.We look forward to meeting you!

Register online at: http://avisionofthefuture.eventbrite.com/

Yours sincerely

Kursat Levent Egriboz
Director
Leonardo, Grundtvig
and Transversal
Programmes
Simon Williams
Director
Erasmus
and Comenius
Gordon Blakely
Director
Youth in Action

City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk

City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk In association with Dublin City Council Who : The Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne; artist and Dublin historian Pat Liddy and Hugo Camacho Romero and his large family of Aztec musicians in traditional dress. Where : The Upper Yard, Dublin Castle When : 11.00 a.m. Monday 8th June Why : To call all people, from all cultures, to join in the Dublin City Summer Solstice celebrations and be part of this all-inclusive celebration of citizenship. In keeping with the mid summer theme, Hugo and his family will dedicate an Aztec Summer Solstice song to the people of Dublin City The City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk is a mid summer celebration of all it's citizens. The Walk takes place at 6.00 p.m. Sunday, 21st June, from the Upper Yard of Dublin Castle. The circular Walk takes in 1,000 years of Dublin's history and travels through Viking Dublin, Medieval Dublin, Georgian Dublin and includes striking views of the IFSC and Spencer Dock, the Dublin of the future. "We wanted to create an event that all Dubliners could be part of, whether they were born in Ireland or not" says Dermot Kirwan, spokesman for the City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk. " People have recognised the Summer Solstice since time immemorial, it pre-dates all political and religious differences". The route chosen by Pat Liddy takes about an hour and a half to walk and gives a real sense of Dublin, it's past and it's future. "The Walk starts and finishes in Dublin Castle. It is a circular Walk, taking in four distinct parts of Dublin history and architecture - Viking, Medieval, Georgian and Doclands/IFSC" says Dermot Kirwan. "For those who know their Dublin, the Walk will be a wonderful reminder of our history and achievements. For those less familiar, they will be amazed at the variety of architectural styles and get a real sense being part of a great city". "I really welcome this imaginative opportunity for all Dublin's citizens to come together for a celebration that they can all feel part of. I am sure it will strengthen our community bonds that make our capital city special." says Eibhlin Byrne, Lord Mayor of Dublin. Dublin historian and writer Pat Liddy said "This event will help us to remember that Dublin has always been a city that has prospered because of it's cutural diversity. Scandanavians, Huguenots from France, Italian artisans, Dutch, German and Spanish merchants were all established here." There will be a few suprises on the route, including interactive entertainment and some 'historical Dublin characters'. Walkers can do the Sumer Solstice Walk in aid of two Dublin charities if they wish. The charities are Dublin Simon Community and Friends of the Elderly Summer Solstice Walkers will be awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Lord Mayor of Dublin in the Upper Yard of Dublin Castle on their return. The City of Dublin Summer Solstice Walk is organised by Friends of the Elderly in association with Dublin City Council and supported by Pat Liddy, Temple Bar Cultural Trust, Dublin Bus and DART Services and Dublin Simon Community. The event is part of the Dublin City Council Summer in Dublin Programme of events and the Let's Walk and Talk series. For more information on Dublin City Council's event programme - log on to www.dublincity.ie



for more information contact Dermot Kirwan. 01 8731855 Friends of the Elderly25 Bolton Street Dublin 101 8731855 087 7771448dkirwan@friendsoftheelderly.iewww.friendsoftheelderly.ie Friends of the Elderly is a voluntary organisation working to alleviate loneliness and isolation among elderly people. We organise home visits, social outings, trips and holidays. Our core belief is that above all, we need love.

Candidates for The Ethnic Minority in Ireland

Ethnic Minority Forum urges all the ethnic minorities to vote for the following:

Lucan: please vote Shaheen Ahmed

Tallagh South: Please vote Pereppadan Baby

And


Tallagh South: Tendai Madondo

Dublin North inner city : please vote for Patrick Maphoso

Some would be very inclined to vote for others so Please make sure you tell them your demands.