Expert migrant voices from around the world to join discussions on ‘coalition building’ at National Conference
Line-up of experts announced for Immigrant Council’s third National Conference
Coalition building, challenges faced by migrant women, artists’ perspectives on migrant representation and local integration are some of the topics that will be explored at the National Integration Conference, run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, taking place next week.
The Conference will bring together a range of voices, including migrant experts, activists, and allies. Amongst those featured in the line-up are: Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Disabilities, Equality and Integration; Dr. Salome Mbugua, researcher, human rights advocate and founder of AkiDwA; Victory Ike, 25-year-old business, accounting and maths teacher at Coláiste Dún an Rí, Co. Cavan; Dr. Lucy Michael, expert on integration and diversity, and member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission; and Senator Eileen Flynn.
The National Integration Conference is an annual event run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, that brings together authoritative perspectives on migration and integration, to help promote effective migrant integration and inclusion in Ireland. This year’s event will run both online and in-person on Tuesday 11th , Wednesday, 12th and Thursday, 13th May. Tuesday’s session will take place at the Morrison Hotel, Dublin; Wednesday session will be virtual, taking place fully online; and Thursday’s session will take place in-person at NUI Galway.
The event will feature a range of sessions, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and performances. Over 30 migration and integration experts and activists will make contributions, exploring the Conference theme of ‘Coalition Building for Equality’.
Announcing details of the conference,Teresa Buczkowska, Integration Manager with the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said:
“The main aim of the Integration Conference is to platform migrant and refugee voices to lead on the conversation of migrant and refugee inclusion in Ireland. It is also an important opportunity for migrants, leaders from migrant rights organisations, and people working in the diversity and inclusion space to come together and share their experiences and insights, so that we can learn from one and other, and work towards building a more diverse and inclusive society in Ireland.
“It’s great to be able to host the event in-person this year again, so that people have the opportunity to meet and form those important connections. We’re also delighted to be hosting one of the days of the Conference in Galway. This is a first for the Immigrant Council – but we feel it’s important that we ensure our work spans across Ireland, and reaches migrants in all corners of the country.
“Our theme for this year’s Conference is ‘coalition building’ – and it is a topic that is particularly pertinent today, in the context of diverse minority communities coming to Ireland seeking safer and better quality of life. Having a unified, joined up approach across civil society organisations, key stakeholders and government is vital if refugees in Ireland are to be given access to the services and supports they need – and that includes refugees from all countries. When we work together, we are stronger and can reach far more people, with far greater impact. I look forward to exploring the ways in which we can work towards achieving change together, over the course of the Conference next week.”
Speaker Line-up
Speakers confirmed for the conference include:
- Roderic O’Gorman TD, Minister for Children, Disabilities, Equality and Integration;
- Senator Eileen Flynn;
- Ines Khai, Guadeloupean singer/songwriter;
- Lucky Khambule, South African former asylum seeker and activist, and co-founder of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland;
- Shamim Malekmian, Immigration reporter for the Dublin Inquirer;
- Cllr Uremu Adejimni, Mayor of Longford and member of Longford County Council;
- Dr. Lucy Michael, member of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Fingal Together;
- Dr. Salome Mbugua, researcher, gender equality activist and human rights advocate, founder of AkiDwA;
- Rosemary Kunene, CEO, Dignity Partnership;
- Dr Suha Shakkour, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Arts Council Ireland;
- Islamiyah Saudique Kadejo, CEO of GOCOM Radio;
- Cllr Yemi Adenuga, Meath County Council;
- Laura McDermott, Boston Scientific;
- Kola Oworu, An Post;
- Victory Ike, Secondary School Teacher;
- Martin Ward, Bounceback Recycling;
- Megan Maria Browne Ayers, Connemara Wool.
The full programme with details of speakers and conference sessions can be accessed here.
To read more or register your place, visit our Conference webpage.
This is the third National Integration Conference held by the Immigrant Council. Attendance is open to the public, free of charge. Anyone with an interest in attending any of the conference sessions must register in advance on the Immigrant Council website.
Funding for the Integration Conference is provided by the EU's Asylum, Migraton and Integration Fund.
