SOME 22 MIGRANTS have graduated from a specialised community work programme accredited by NUI Maynooth and co-ordinated by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI).
Participants from countries such as Nigeria, Ukraine, India, Philippines, Sudan and the Czech Republic came together on weekends over a six-month period to learn about the skills required to practice community work in Ireland, as part of the NUI certificate programme ‘Community Work in a Changing Ireland’.
According to the MRCI, many of the participants are in voluntary roles in locally based community projects or are activists in campaigning for greater rights and protections for migrants in Ireland. Some are already in paid community work roles.
A statement from the migrant rights’ organisation read: “The course was open to anyone from an immigrant background active in justice and rights for migrants and their families in Ireland.”
One of the participants, Meena Baskarasubramanian from India, who has been volunteering with the Clondalkin/Palmerstown/Lu-can/Newcastle (CPLN) area partnership and Educate Together, said she came to Ireland in 2006 with her husband, an IT professional, and wanted to contribute through volunteer activities.
The mother-of-two commented: “My policy, especially when you come to a new country, is always to give something back – like if I go to someone’s house I have to pitch in. This country has welcomed us; it’s only fair I contribute back.”
The 32-year-old said the course gave community workers “a professional foundation” in community work principles and “reassurance and confidence that we can be a great part of this country, and a great resource.”
The Indian woman described as “intensive” the weekend course, which was funded under the European Integration Fund as administered by Pobal and Office of Minister for Integration, with classes taking place in Dublin.
Baskarasubramanian said taking the certification has contributed to eligibility for a degree programme in community studies at NUI Maynooth, and she is now considering taking that route at some stage over the coming years.
