‘Diverse Tipperary’, the first Migrant Integration Strategy for County Tipperary was launched on September 19th at Brú Ború by Minister of State Mr. Joe O’Brien.
The three-year strategy is a partnership between the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) and Tipperary County Council. It sets out a plan to ensure the integration of all those who live in County Tipperary, ensuring that Tipperary is a county where everyone who lives, works and visits are valued, respected and supported to fully participate and contribute to their communities. Speaking at the launch Minister O’Brien noted that ‘Tipperary is in a good place to build on the strengths and opportunities that diversity and multi-culturalism can offer’. He said ‘focus and energy must be maintained so that this strategy can deliver for our new communities’.
The Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr. Seamus Hannafin congratulated all those involved, saying that ‘the values and principles articulated in this strategy are consistent with our organisation’s core values and ways of working, and the process through which it was derived has harnessed much good will, expertise and commitment’.
Eoin Wolahan Chairperson of the LCDC said that ‘those who have come to live here from around the world have enriched our society in terms of culture, language, new business ideas, social activities and friendships, and it is imperative that they continue to feel welcome and at home in Tipperary. This strategy and action plan reinforce Tipperary LCDCs commitment to creating a sustainable response to the challenges and opportunities posed by the changing population which it serves’.
Other speakers at the event included Ruth Smith of Tipperary Public Participation Network (PPN) and Kuldeep Joshi of the Tipperary Migrant Forum.
Margo Hayes thanked all those who contributed to the strategy development, including the PPN, the Migrant Forum, Tipperary ETB, An Garda Síochána, Youth Work Ireland Tipperary as well as the Local Development Companies. She thanked all the participants of the consultations who were so generous in providing their time so that the strategy reflects the real needs of the non-Irish Community in Tipperary and can therefore respond to this group of people in a collaborative manner.
She noted that we will achieve the objectives of the strategy through collaboration, inter-agency working and promoting values of equality, dignity and inclusion. We can all support integration and belonging in many other simple ways, by welcoming people from diverse backgrounds into your community, your organisation, your sports club, your school and your home.
