Dublin, A City For All
Inclusion and Integration Week 2023 aims to encourage social inclusion, integration and diversity
Celebrating and promoting “Dublin a City for All”, Inclusion and Integration Week 2023 will take place from tomorrow, Monday 6th November through to Sunday 12th November 2023. The week will host many free events both online and in various locations across Dublin that focus on social inclusion.
The aim of the week is to highlight the positive work carried out by Dublin City Council and other agencies to promote social inclusion, integration and diversity in our city. A variety of events are organised across the week by Dublin City Council’s Housing and Community Services Department working collaboratively with a range of delivery partners.
The week-long initiative features more than 100 events from panel discussions to yoga classes, language exchanges to exhibitions, music to sport and much more over the week. Inclusion and Integration week has an event for everyone and aims to bring on board anyone in Dublin who may face barriers to social inclusion. It is particularly targeted at young people, older people, people living with disability, members of the Traveller community, early school leavers and migrants to let them know that they are valued and welcome in Dublin. The other goal of the week is to inform the people of Dublin how to better appreciate and nourish diversity.
Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste commented, “It is really important that Dubliners with different backgrounds, needs and identities feel they are welcomed and included in our city. Our public, community and voluntary services support all our citizens but most importantly those who feel less empowered, who don’t have a voice, those who may feel isolated because of age, disability or because they lack local connections or those for whom English is not their first language. This is the core focus of this year’s Inclusion and Integration week activities. Our ambition is to make Dublin a city for all.”
“We need to appreciate and respect all our individual differences, which is what Inclusion and Integration week will do. We also need to learn more about the struggles, culture and backgrounds of those who often feel excluded from society to allow for more diversity and inclusion. Diversity is often visible but is also present in our actions and beliefs. Difference makes us unique but is also what brings us together with other like-minded people in our communities. There are amazing events happening this week that will let our citizens do this. I would encourage everyone to check out what is happening and attend events of interest to you.”
Sample Inclusion and Integration Week flagship events that are free to attend and include:
Kindness is a Light in the Darkness, free Kite workshops
Children are invited to spread some joy and bring light to the world by celebrating kindness at our in-person event. Kindness is a Light in the Darkness taking place the afternoon of Monday 6th November at TU Dublin, Grangegorman Campus. This free event will feature kite making workshop, refreshments and snacks from 3pm. Pre-registration is recommended on www.dublincityinclusion.ie.
Voices of Migrants: the Challenges of Inclusion and Human Trafficking – Film Screening and Panel Discussion
A film screening and panel discussion on ‘Voices of Migrants: the Challenges of Inclusion and Human Trafficking,’ taking place in Lighthouse Cinema at 11am Friday, 10th November. The International Organization for Migration (IOM will showcase their work in the area of migrant integration and inclusion in Ireland. It will include the screening of video testimonies from former IOM service users, who will also participate in a panel discussion.
The event will also have the participation of the Human Trafficking Investigation Unit and the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau, will provide in-depth statistics and share stories from his experience. A portrayal of harrowing fictionalized accounts of victims trafficked to Ireland will be seen in a screening of the IOM’s short film, ‘Anyone: Deceived.’ IOM Ireland staff will discuss their efforts to assist migrants, and the event will conclude with a Q&A session.
Global Village Festival
A Live Intercultural Concert is taking place on Sunday 12th November in Ballybough Community, Youth & Sports Centre. This multicultural event will celebrate diversity through music, dance and food. The performances will feature an interpretation of Dublin’s Inclusion and Integration Week’s theme: Dublin a city for all. Each participating country will have an opportunity to share an exhibition of their culture and traditions.
In addition to these events, there are a variety of cultural and wellbeing events for people from all walks of life. Some of the events taking place throughout the week include photography exhibitions, health & wellbeing seminars, film screenings and live concerts.
The aim of the week is to highlight the positive work carried out by Dublin City Council and other agencies to promote social inclusion, integration and diversity in our city. The week’s events are organised by Dublin City Council’s Housing and Community Services Department working collaboratively with a range of delivery partners.
More information about the week is available from www.dublincityinclusion.ie.
#DublinCityInclusion23
