Outstanding contributions to diversity and interfaith dialogue were among the good works recognised at the 2011 Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (MAMA), presented at a ceremony in Dublin’s Liberty Hall Theatre on Monday 24 October.
This is eighth year of the MAMAs, which were organised as part of Dublin City Council’s One City One People initiative – and the first edition after a three-year recess.
The awards recognise and celebrate people, groups, events, companies and institutions that promote cross-cultural understanding and co-operation throughout Ireland.
Shalini Sinha, commentator on cultural diversity and life issues, hosted the awards for the eighth time since the inaugural event in 2002. She was joined by Dublin’s Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Maria Parodi, who presented the awards along with representatives from MAMA sponsors including An Post, Dublin City Council’s Office for Integration, Foras na Gaeilge and MK Design Studio.
“I am delighted to see the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards back in 2011,” said Cllr Parodi. “These important awards recognise and strongly value groups, individuals and companies who are role-models in the arena of integration and interculturalism.”
She continued: “As part of the One City One People campaign, I hope that the awards promote this work and encourage others to be involved, participate and stand up for a diverse open equal and safe city and one that does not accept racism and discrimination.”
The main winners on the night included Fidèle Mutwarasibo and The Lantern Centre, who jointly received the Special Judges’ Award.
Mutwarasibo, integration manager of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to diversity over the last decade, while The Lantern Centre received its award in recognition of its commitment to interfaith dialogue.
Three special awards were made to a writers’ group, a multinational bank and a student organisation.
The Dublin-based Irish Writers’ Exchange – which recently published a book, Dublin: Ten Journeys, One Destination – was awarded a one-year online product and services package worth €5,000 in recognition of its efforts in promoting and celebrating multiculturalism through writing.
Coexist Ltd, a student-led organisation at Dundalk Institute of Technology, received the Special Student Media award for its work, which examines the over-arching theme of sustainable peace through concepts such as community, identity, citizenship, ecology, human rights, development and leadership.
In addition, CitiBank Ireland was honoured by Foras na Gaeilge for its promotion of Irish culture and language within the Citi community that comprises more than 30 nationalities.
The bank’s Citi Identity initiative also received the multinational award for the efforts it has made to promote a multicultural environment in the workplace.
Others who won prizes in the Multicultural category included: volunteer writing teacher Orla Ni Haonigh; Clare Intercultural Futsal League and Emerald Futsal League; Louth County Enterprise Board; Tutti Frutti Juice Bar; and the Centre for Creative Practices.
The Media category winners were: Newstalk’s Global Village presenter Dil Wickremasinghe and producer John Donovan for the New Irish programme; Richard Lynch of ILoveLimerick.com; DCTV’s John Breslin for The Story Teller series; Catherine Reilly for her Irish Times articles, including ‘Bearing culture in mind’ and ‘We got married and fell in love’; and Padraig Coyle’s series on Sunday Sequence, BBC Radio Ulster.
“It’s great to see MAMA back again this year… this is about celebrating, it is about recognising, it is about contribution, it is about success”, said An Post’s director of communications and corporate affairs Barney Whelan.
Meanwhile, Breandán Mac Craith, communications officer with Foras na Gaeilge, also congratulated all those shortlisted, and encouraged “anyone with an interest in learning or using the Irish language to so and add to the rich tapestry of Irish society”.
Members of the awards judging panel included Pat Normanly, manager of employee development and equality at Dublin Bus; Declan Hayden of Dublin City Council’s Office for Integration; and Nadette Foley, steering group member of Facing Forward.
Others were Siraj Zaidi, independent radio and television producer and director of the Indian Film Festival Ireland; Breege Keenan, director of the Vincentian Refugee Centre and winner of the 2009 MAMA Special Judges’ Award; and Tendai Madondo, Christian Aid’s global adviser on gender and gender based violence.
