Minister for Integration John Curran TD last week launched a new programme for youth work within south Dublin’s Canal Communities.
The Intercultural Strategy for Youth Work sets out a plan for embedding interculturalism and anti-racism into youth work policy and practice in the area.
According to the 2006 census, the Canal Communities area – which comprises Bluebell, Inchicore, Rialto, Islandbridge and Kilmainham – is one of the most ethnically diverse in the country, with 17 per cent of residents being of ethnic minority backgrounds.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Curran said: “The focus on youth activities is important as youth groups have been internationally recognised as having an important role to play in the integration process.”
He added: “Ensuring that migrant youth reach their full potential and feel part of the community is crucial not only for first generation migrants but, as international experience has shown, in some cases for second and third generations.”
Minister Curran hailed the importance of youth work services as “crucial for young people, not only for integration purposes but… in becoming well rounded individuals, who are acknowledged for their own personality, talents and achievements and not stereotyped by their ethnicity.”
The minister made note of concerns regarding the Government’s cuts to language learning resources, but was adamant that the changes have “introduced flexibility into the system by allowing schools which felt that the reduction in teacher numbers would seriously impair their ability to provide the necessary supports to pupils to appeal for additional teachers.”
He concluded: “I must also point out that, even with the reduction in resources, about €98m will be spent in this area this year. This is a significant sum and highlights the importance the Government attaches to this work, even at a time of tremendous difficulty for the public purse.”
