Concern Creative Writing Competition 2010

Concern Creative Writing Competition 2010

The Secretary General of the United Nations is summoning world leaders to a meeting and has invited you to address them. There are just 5 years to go before 2015 when the Millennium Development Goals, promises made to the developing world, are due to be met.

Your task: Write the speech you would give to world leaders at the UN on one of the eight Millennium Development Goals

Categories: Junior: age 12-15; Senior: age 16-18; Adult: age 19+

Word limit: Junior: 1000 words; Senior & Adult: 1500 words

Prizes include: Netbooks, e-readers, mp3 players and publication of winning entries

Deadline for entry: Sunday 21 March 2010

More information: www.concern.net/writingcompetition

Have your say in USI!

Hi Everyone,

Just to let you know that Equality Standing Conference will take place on the 5^th & 6^th of March 2010 in Cork City. We are very grateful to UCC for agreeing to host the event.

Opening of submission of motions and nominations (for the 4 part time officer positions) is Monday 8^th February.

Close of submission of motions and nominations (for the 4 part time officer positions) is Friday 19^th February at 17:00.

The positions available are:

• Disability Rights Officer;
• Gender Equality Officer;
• Mature Students Officer &
• International Students Officer.

Please circulate this email to any student you think may be interested in taking up a position. Nominations must be submitted on union headed paper by the CO President and include evidence of student status of the candidate. Nominations must be submitted by post and email.

I would also encourage you to submit motions to conference on equality issues. Motions can only mandate the following officers: Equality, LGBT, Disability Rights, Gender Equality, Mature & International. Motions must be submitted on union headed paper signed by the CO President via fax & email.

If you have any questions, please email me or give me a buzz!

Kind regards,

Linda

Money, Money, Money

On the 18th January I attended a workshop for the Lord Mayor’s Commission on Employment. The topic for discussion was ‘Dublin as an international student city.’

The panel for the session was chaired by Michael Stubbs (Assistant City Manager, Dublin City Council) and included Tom Boland (CEO of the HEA), Dr Robert Flood (Head of International Affiars, DIT), Frank Magee (CEO of Dublin Tourism), Peter Mannion (President of USI), Sheila Power (Director of ICOS), Kevin O Sullivan (Prinicipal Officer with the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform) & Kieran Rose (Senior Planner, Dublin City Council).

There were four topics up for discussion: Branding, Quality of Education, Immigration and Urban Planning.  Despite having two student representatives on the panel, the focus unfortunately was not on ensuring a positive student experience.

After 18 months as Equality Officer, this really came as no surprise. International students are viewed by both HEIs and Government as easy income generators. The focus is on getting as many international bums on seats as possible with no thoughts given over to campus integration, english language support or professional development for lecturers who now find themselves working in an increasingly international classroom.

The President of Trinity College Dublin Students Union, Conan O Broin, spoke up at the meeting to talk about the negative experience that many students are having as a result of being viewed primarily as  a cash cow. A few uncomfortable glances and coughs ensued before Tom Boland, swept in to cast aside such a scurrilous assertion and insisted that the sector was committed to the student experience. Yet by the end of the meeting, Mr Boland was agreeing with other members of the panel – that primarily this workshop was about money – how to bring it into Dublin, how to keep it in Dublin and how to make Dublin the receiving end for International Student Fees. Little thought was given to the student.

Luckily, the Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Emer Costello herself has a better understanding of the importance of the student experience. She very kindly, hosted a forum in Mansion House yesterday evening for international students studying in Dublin.

This forum organised by the USI International Students Campaign & the Irish  Council for International Students (ICOS) gave students a chance to put forward their opinions both positive and negative on a number of issus. Unfortunately the negative far outweighed the positive particularly on issues of immigration and working rights.

We will be compiling a report on this seminar, which had over 50 students in attendance, and submitting it to the Lord Mayor who has agreed to incorporate our recommendations into her own report on the issue. The report will also be circulated to the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform and the newly established High Level Group on International Education.

This is a very positive step for the USI International Students Campaign which is only in its first year. We are indeed, a campaign led by students for students.

USI Questions Relevance of ESRI Report on Cost of Participation in Higher Education

The Union of Students in Ireland has branded the ESRI report on the Cost of Participation in Higher Education as outdated in the current economic environment.

Many of the statistics contained in the report are based on surveys conducted in the years 2003 to 2006.

Due to the recent recession, increased unemployment rates and changes in the cost of living in Ireland, these figures do not truly reflect the state of student finances today.

In addition to this, significant decreases have been applied to the student maintenance grant and qualification criteria for the Back to Education Allowance.

A recent report by the UCD’s Geary Institute revealed that the psychological well-being of an average Irish student is lower than that of their peers.

These mental health problems were found to correlate with the financial worries of these students.

According to the Geary Institute report – based on a survey of 3,500 undergraduate and taught masters students in the country’s seven universities – one in three students run out of money on a regular basis.

USI President, Peter Mannion, said:

“In today’s climate, much of the data contained in this ESRI report is outdated and irrelevant. The assumptions that parents are still able to part fund their children’s Higher Education, and that students can secure part-time employment, are now redundant.

That said, many of the points raised in the report still need to be addressed: For example, the need for greater financial support for mature students.

The recent changes announced in the Budget 2010 mean that new mature students in the academic year 2010/11 will not qualify for the grant if in receipt of the Back to Education Allowance. This is something which needs immediate addressing by the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Education.

USI continues to call for the implementation of the Student Support Bill, which will facilitate vital improvements to the student maintenance grant system.”

Bolivia: Reaching Out To At Risk Adolescents

The role youth-friendly outreach services can play in alleviating poverty among at-risk adolescents is the focus of a photo exhibition to be held at the European Commission Office in Dublin in February 2010.

“Bolivia: Reaching Out To At Risk Adolescents”, will feature a series of photographs documenting the lives of young people in Bolivia who benefit from an innovative programme called Most at Risk Adolescents (MARA).

Funded by the European Commission and implemented by the Centro de Investigacion, Educacion y Servicios (CIES), the programme seeks to improve the lives of street youth and other marginalised young people in Bolivia.

The images were taken during the visit of Irish politicians organised by the Irish Family Planning Association to Bolivia in March 2009 to learn about the sexual and reproductive health needs of vulnerable young people.

This body of photographs furthers our understanding of the lives of these vulnerable young people.
The images also clearly illustrate how their lives can be improved through the long-term efforts of dedicated outreach workers and service providers.

The exhibition is open to the public from 9am to 5pm from February 4th to 11th.

http://www.ifpa.ie/eng/Media-Info-Centre/News-Events/2010-News-Events/Photo-Exhibition-Bolivia,-Reaching-out-to-At-Risk-Adolescents

You are cordially invited to….

Please see details below for a full list of our seminars taking place in Dublin City Centre next week:

Changing Circumstances for International Students – what next?

Monday 25^th January, 6 – 8pm

Mansion House, Dublin City Centre

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emer Costello has kindly agreed to host a forum for all international students (incl. Erasmus Students) studying in the Dublin area.

Sheila Power, Director of the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS), will discuss the current proposed changes to immigration procedures for students. This will be followed by a workshop for students during which there will be an opportunity to discuss issues on Immigration, Support Services in College, the GNIB, Current Work Permits and much more.

This event is free but places are limited. All students must register for the event by emailing their name and college to Linda Kelly at equality@usi.ie. Closing time for registration is 12pm on Friday the 22^nd of January.

This event is jointly organised by USI & ICOS. Refreshments provided.

Supporting Students with Disabilities in a Recession

Tuesday 26^th January 2009, 6-8pm

Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin

This workshop is open to all students with disabilities in third level. Niamh Hayes, AHEAD will discuss the difficulties facing college authorities and disability support services in the current economic climate as well as her own college experience. Then students will be given the opportunity to share their college experience and how the current cutbacks are affecting them.

If you require an interpreter or have any additional requirements or questions please contact Linda Kelly via email at equality@usi.ie

This event is jointly organised by AHEAD & USI. Refreshments provided.

Mature Student Coffee Morning – How is your college experience going?

Wednesday 27^th January, 11am -1pm

Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin City Centre

This coffee morning is open to all mature students studying in the Dublin area. It will be an opportunity for you to talk to other mature students and to have a bit of a rant about college so far! There will also a discussion on the budget decisions regarding the Back to Education Allowance & Student Maintenance Grant.

Free tea, coffee & scones available!

Women in politics – how do we achieve equality?

Wednesday 27^th January 2010, 6-8pm

Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin City Centre

Aisling Billington, USI Gender Equality Officer will share her experience of a recent training event aimed at encouraging women into student politics. This will be followed by an informal discussion on how best to increase female participation in students unions and wider political structures.

This event is organised by USI and is open to all students. Refreshments provided.

USI LGBT Trans* Forum

Thursday 28^th January, 2010, 6-8pm

Central Hotel on Exchequer Street, (just off George’s Street).

USI LGBT will be holding a Trans* forum on Thursday the 28^th January from 6-8pm.   The talk will be given by the director of TENI, Cat McIlroy, and will discuss among other things what it means to be Trans*. We will also examine the issue of gender recognition. This is a great opportunity to increase your knowledge of Trans* Issues and we welcome all LGBT students to this event. Refreshments provided.

Please circulate this notice to friends and contacts who may be interested in attending.

What’s Your Attitude?

Check out the new campaign video!

Calling all International Students in Dublin

Date for your Diary

Monday 25^th January, 6 – 8pm

Mansion House, Dublin City Centre

Changing Circumstances for International Students – what next?

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emer Costello has kindly agreed to host a forum for all international students (incl. Erasmus Students) studying in the Dublin area.

Sheila Power, Director of the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS), will discuss the current proposed changes to immigration procedures for students. This will be followed by a workshop for students during which there will be an opportunity to discuss issues on Immigration, Support Services in College, the GNIB, Current Work Permits and much more.

This event is free but places are limited. All students must register for the event by emailing their name and college to Linda Kelly at equality@usi.ie. Closing time for registration is 12pm on Friday the 22^nd of January.

At the back of the shiny GNIB card…

Studying abroad is like learning to fly – the courageous ones who decide to do it discover a new prospective, which shows what was unseen from where they stood on their home land. But before you soar freely and see all the beauties, there are preparations that must be taken care of. In flying schools they equip you with the special gear, in Garda National Immigration Bureau you get a GNIB card. It is exciting in a way, as this is one of the first necessary steps you take when you arrive to Ireland to study. So, when you are holding that new and shiny card with your picture on it, you know, that one more bureaucratic procedure is behind you and you are closer to your main goal – freedom to concentrate on your purpose of this journey, your studies. But having spent time and effort to register at the GNIB some wonder if we could get more for our money?

That thought crosses the mind of many international students. After all, this card is there to serve the interests of the state and the Irish immigrant alike, so it is great to hear their views on these procedures too. At the Equality Seminar in Cork, which was held in November, students proposed numerous possible improvements. For instance, the GNIB card could become more functional, as at the present time it can not even be the holder’s identity card. Perhaps, it can be used as a travelling document within the EU, or at least between the UK and Ireland. In any case, students found it very upsetting that €150 card has only one use – a proof of successful registration at the GNIB.

When discussing these issues, one surprising observation came up. At the seminar, there was a student that has been studying here in Ireland for a number of years and he pointed out how amazingly within the last years the price of this card went up from being free of charge to reaching the price of €150. Even though it might seem like not a huge sum, it is a pity to see such increases without any justification or explanation. And than there is no guarantee that it will not evaluate further. Usually, price changes are accompanied by communication between the interested parties, however it is all quiet at the GNIB front… Seems only fair to cap the card’s price and to provide a break down of these funds. To voice all these concerns, students unanimously agreed that bringing back the customer service initiative which used to exist at GNIB would be very much appreciated.

Ireland is a land of opportunities, where one is welcomed to explore and achieve, so the system should strive to accommodate all the newcomers. In order to do so, qualitative changes in registration and other immigration procedures are needed today.

(Many thanks for all the suggestions to the 31 student who attended the Cork Seminar on the 16th of November)

Mariya

At Home in Ireland

Launches of publications, campaigns and actions (etc!) are always a very interesting exercise in the art of politics I find. Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the launch of ‘At Home in Ireland’ which is an integration guide for immigrant youth and parents. The launch itself was very vibrant incorporating music and breakdancing which made a welcome change from grey suit after grey suit. It was also my first time in Dublin City Hall which truly is a very beautiful building.

Having contributed my thoughts to the third level section, I was delighted to see the final printed guide which will be an invaluable resource to immigrants in Ireland. Our government policies and services are convoluted, complex and difficult to understand at the best of times and it was a brave person indeed who tackled it all to create a concise and easy to understand guide. Integrating Ireland is to be congratulated for their vision, hard work and commitment in bringing this guide to fruition, in particular Jana Weidhaase who was the main author of the guide.

Ciaran Cuffe, TD and Green Party Spokesperson for Justice and Equality was the keynote speaker. His speech was indeed a very fine example of the worst kind of politics. The kind of politics, which in his defence, is prevalent across Ireland and which is evident at nearly every launch I attend. His speech ranged from patronising ‘my mother is from Chicago so I know exactly what immigrant life is like’ (bear in mind I am paraphrasing) to cowardly ‘asylum seekers are living in untenable situations but lets move quickly on before you question why my party isn’t doing something about this’ with everything else between. Deputy Cuffe absolutely failed to discuss any of the real issues surrounding integration – racism in our society (yes it does exist), lack of government commitment to tackling this issue, lack of resources for communities to coordinate integration projects not to mention the antagonistic policies of the Dept of Justice, Equality & Law Reform. (As an aside I wonder how much input Cuffe has into the hallowed halls of Ahern’s department.)

Instead the deputy preferred to throw out phrases like ‘social and cultural enrichment’ without acknowledging the very real and difficult challenges facing Ireland in terms of integration. I don’t even know why I was surprised…

Outshining Deputy Cuffe was Stazia Costa, Miss Africa Ireland 2009 who spoke succinctly and clearly of the need for the guide and how her own experience of arriving in Ireland with her family would have been greatly improved if such a guide had existed. Ms Costa provided a face to the thousands of the families currently struggling to get their head round services in Ireland.

Rialto Jammers hit the stage next – performing songs for the audience. This very talented bunch provided a nice break from speeches with the only downside being a slight problem with the acoustics. I was impressed that the organisers incorporated young people into the programme and showcased the talents of a number of youth groups in the Dublin area.

Kathryn McKiernan, an RTE Den Presenter spoke the words which really should have come out of the mouth of the public representative. She spoke of the need to stand up against racism and the need for each individual to realise their role in integration. She shared with the audience the following proverb:

“A traveller was walking along a beach when he saw a woman scooping up starfish off the sand and tossing them into the waves. Curious, he asked her what she was doing. The woman replied “When the tide goes out it leaves these starfish stranded on the beach. They will dry up and die before the tide comes back in, so I am throwing them back into the sea where they can live.” The traveller then asked her “But this beach is miles long and there are hundreds of stranded starfish, many will die before you reach them – do you really think throwing back a few starfish is really going to make a difference?” The woman picked up a starfish and looked at it, then she threw it into the waves. “It makes a difference to this one” she said.”

Next up was a group of breakdancers who wouldn’t have looked out of place on the TV show ‘Got to Dance.’ While the programme indicated that the launch was now drawing to a close, it seemed that Cllr Eric Byrne gatecrashed proceedings to get his tuppence in; although we were assured he had been invited. After some more political ramblings, Josephine Ahern, CEO of the Integration and Social Inclusion Centre of Ireland (ISICI) brought a very enjoyable morning to a close. You can download the guide here: www.integratingireland.ie or www.ris.ie

The Integration and Social Inclusion Centre of Ireland (ISICI) is trading as Integrating Ireland and the Refugee Information Service. ISICI works in the fields of international protection and the integration and inclusion of migrants in Ireland.