Bulelani Mfaco: Growing up in the apartheid ghetto of Khayelitsha in Cape Town, Bulelani Mfaco became involved at an early age in protests for adequate housing & access to land with Abahlali Base Mjondolo, health care in the Khayelitsha Health Forum, and improved policing in neighbourhood watches. In 2017 he claimed asylum, seeking protection from violence and targeted killings of LGBTQ+ people. He is one of the Spokespersons for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI) where he is campaigning for the right to work for all asylum seekers, and to end Direct Provision. Bulelani is also on the board of the Hope & Courage Collective, and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties.
Exploring Contemporary Issues through Global Citizenship Education: 'Social Inclusion in times of Rising Xenophobia'
Date: Wednesday, 15 May, 12.30-2.00pm
Location: Online via Zoom
IDEA is collaborating with Comhlámh to host a webinar on ‘Social Inclusion in times of rising Xenophobia’ #4 on our webinar series : Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education on Wednesday, 15 May, 12.30-2.00pm, online via zoom.
This webinar will look at an existing gap in Ireland of refugee and migrant integration, resettlement, and community engagement in Ireland. More specifically speakers will explore how this gap, in a time of austerity and multiplying barriers to overall social inclusion feeds xenophobic, anti-immigration, racist and far-right narrative sentiments. This event will also aim to discuss and explore the ways global citizenship education, the international development and humanitarian sector can become pro-active players in filling that gap. Key questions we will ask ourselves are:
- How can these sectors reach out to local actors and community groups and become active participants in building the connections needed to promote social cohesion and intercultural diversity?
- How can we make sure that intersectional solidarity is at the heart of our responses and that the voices of those affected are centred?
The speakers will be Joe Munnelly, a PhD in Humanitarian and Development studies graduating from UCD’s Centre for Humanitarian Action; Bulelani Mfaco, one of the Spokespersons for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI); and Sarah Kelleher, CEO of Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS). The moderator for this webinar is Dr Caroline Murphy, CEO of Comhlámh.
This event is fully booked!
Biographies
Joe Munnelly: Joe has a PhD in Humanitarian and Development studies graduating from UCD’s Centre for Humanitarian action. His research background has focused on Europe’s refugee crisis and his doctoral research was focused on the social integration of refugees in Ireland. Joe also has years of experience in advocacy and campaigns having worked as Advocacy Officer for Oxfam Ireland and Failte Refugees.
Dr Caroline Murphy is currently working as the CEO for Comhlámh. She has over 15 years’ experience of working for organisations across the Irish International Development sector with key experience in educational drama, development education, strategy, policy, and safeguarding. Her PhD focussed on ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ and ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’, exploring applied theatre as a method for confronting issues of injustice and oppression.
Sarah Kelleher has worked as CEO of LYCS in the North East Inner City for over 20 years. With a background in youth work and community development, Sarah has vast experience of working in inner city communities both in Ireland and in the UK. She has recently gained a 1st Class Honours in M.A. in Management: Community & Voluntary Services with Dublin City Univeristy. Sarah has a special interest in policy development and measuring qualitative outcomes of programmes delivered to hard-to-reach communities. She has also served as a Board member of a number of local and national voluntary organisations and statutory agencies.
IDEA to Honour President Higgins with Inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award at Annual Conference
Dates: Thursday 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm and Friday 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Location: An Tairseach, Wicklow IDEA is thrilled to open applications for our second iteration of the IDEA's Lab. In this first of its kind residential Lab, we will create space where members can bring their ideas for projects and try out new planning and design methods. Participants will have the opportunity to work on an idea from scratch to (almost) finish with the support of expert trainers and learn through group exchange in a welcoming and inspiring setting. Participants will come out of the training with: An early project design proofed, tested and built through group feedback, iteration, trialling and support. New approaches in designing innovative projects they can apply to their workplace Headspace and time to work on the design of an innovative project A chance to actively learn through group exchange and strengthen the sense of an innovative community of practice in Ireland How? Please email anya@ideaonline.ie to request an application form. Requesting an application form does not commit you to applying. The deadline for returning application form (including organisational sign off letter) is Friday 23 May, midnight . You will find further details in the application form. Participants must register as a team of 2min.- 4 max. Participants without a team member will be asked to pair up with other individual participants or find a partner outside their organisation. Cost : This training is funded by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and offered at a reduced rate. This training is only available to IDEA members. Non-IDEA members can participant as part of an IDEA member team. Fees for members of IDEA is €50 Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas development programme which supports partners working in some of the world’s poorest countries. Irish Aid also supports global citizenship education in Ireland to encourage learning and public engagement with global issues the ideas, opinions and comments expressed in this training are entirely the responsibility of its author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect DFA policy. Timeline: Applications open: 07 May Applications close: 23 May, midnight Preparatory session with trainer (30min, online): Mid June Lab arrival: Where possible we advise arrival on Wednesday 09 July in the evening. Accommodation and food will be provided from 09 July, 5.00pm - 11 July, 3.00pm Lab: 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm. 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at anya@ideaonline.ie if any of the above pose a barrier to your participation, or if you have any other questions.
Wednesday 18 June, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1
