Plans for a new and better life for members of the African communities in Ireland were unveiled at the maiden Africa Forum held at the Dublin City Council’s Civic offices last week.
Plans for a new and better life for members of the African communities in Ireland were unveiled at the maiden Africa Forum held at the Dublin City Council’s Civic offices last week.
More than 100 people – including native Irish and immigrants from other continents with a special interest in Africa – attended the event, where a 20-member provisional ‘African Community Council’ was inaugurated by Gibril Faal, leading UK development expert and chairperson of Afford (African Foundation for Development).
Mbemba Jabbi, acting co-ordinator of the Africa Centre, said the members would serve as a task group to work out the formation of a permanent council at the next Africa Forum at the end of 2013.
“I appeal to everyone to give their fullest support to the committee in carrying out their noble task in the next coming months,” said Jabbi. “The group will start work as soon as possible and we will keep you informed of their work. Feel free to send your constructive ideas in facilitating their work.”
He added that the members would communicate regularly with various stakeholders as their work progresses.
Jabbi urged all those interested in the development of the African continent to support the plans of the African community here.
Speaking at the event, Faal shared experiences of how the African communities in Britain are running their affairs, and challenged Africans in Ireland to champion African interests.
He insisted that Africans should grow beyond recounting problems and instead focus on identifying solutions to these problems.
Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello commended the initiative and enjoined the African community to organise themselves so as to strategically influence relations between Ireland and the African continent.
Africa Centre chair Sahr Yambasu also expressed the gratitude of the African community to Dublin City Council for supporting the initiative.
The Africa Forum was organised by the Africa Centre and national migrant women’s network AkiDwA.
