RIS Blog

Report on Family Reunification 2009

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:32:40 +0000

The RIS launched a new report on family reunification entitled The Challenges facing Refugees, Beneficiaries of Subsidiary Protection and Persons granted Leave to Remain as they seek reunification with their families in Irelandon Thursday 30th July. The report was authored by Catherine Kenny, RIS Head of Policy and Research. The launch took place in the European Parliament Offices in Molesworth Street, Dublin and was well attended. Notable speakers were present including Niall Crowley, Independent Equality Consultant and former Equality Authority CEO, Manuel Jordao, UNHCR Representative in Ireland and Shahlaa Nassralla who gave a refugee’s perspective.

The report identifies the rights to family unity, examines international and domestic law and policy relating to family reunification and outlines the barriers facing refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection in applying for family members to join them in Ireland. It makes a number of recommendations.

For further information or to request a copy contact Wale Mogaji, RIS Head of Communications and Integration on 016453090 or email wale.mogaji@ris.ie

Access to education Position Paper

admin — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:17:57 +0000

Last Monday, the 22nd June, the RIS launched its Position Paper on access to education in collaboration with Liam Coakley. The launch was held in Buswells Hotel, Dublin and attended by key figures from within the NGO sector as well as many others from the goverment and media.

Speakers on the day included Paul Rowe (CEO - Educate Together), Tendai Madondo (Programme Development Officer – Christian Aid), Eloho Egweutera (SPIRASI), Jo Ahern (RIS) and the paper’s author, Dr Liam Coakley (UCC).

The paper gained significant media coverage, featuring in the Irish Times and Irish Examiner among others.

Please read the paper and add your comments.

RIS Position Paper

Click here for Irish Times article on launch

RIS Press Release

admin — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:43:13 +0000

The RIS has issued a press release outlining the key findings of its recently lauched position paper on education.

The piece highlights prohibitive fees and poor co-ordination among educators as some of the findings of the work.

Press Release – June 22 2009

RIS Press Release

admin — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:38:09 +0000

The RIS has released another timely press release in conjunction with Integrating Ireland and The Africa Centre.

The piece calls for the “restoration of dignity to refugees as the world celebrates refugee day”. It highlights the problems that exist in the direct provision system and calls on the government to look at how it can be improved.

Press Release – June 19 2009

More Migrant Teachers Needed in Ireland

admin — Fri, 22 May 2009 12:33:41 +0000

This week our Head of Communications and Integration, Wale Mogaji, wrote an opinion piece that was published in the Irish Independent. Wale argued that Ireland’s migrant population must be properly represented in the schooling system and that “the employment of more teachers from migrant backgrounds would reflect the intercultural nature of present day classrooms”. The piece raises key issues in the debate about migrants access to education and can be accessed here:

http://www.independent.ie/education/features/in-my-opinion-more-migrant-teachers-needed-to-reflect-the-new-ireland-1744463.html

The piece provoked positive responses from several groups including the online parents and teachers group, schooldays.ie:

http://www.schooldays.ie/education-news-item/More-migrant-teachers-needed-in-Ireland-19179205

Thanks to Wale for this excellent contribution.