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Dear Sisters and Friends,
This is the first of our 2023 Monthly Updates and some of what we include is a review of work done during 2022. You absolutely do not have to read all of what we include here but we hope that some of it catches your interest. We would ask also that you might share with others who may not have the gift of the internet.
In this issue we include:
A new take on the Nativity Scene.
The new Climate Action Plan 2023.
Sr. Orla Treacy in South Sudan.
Domestic Violence at Christmas.
New Song from the "I Am Worth It" programme in Zimbabwe.
Trafficked Women in Debt Bondage (Ireland)
Child Poverty Unit in the Department of An Taoiseach.
Issues that continue to challenge Migrants in Ireland.
Nano's Echo (Christmas Edition)
Altogether in Dignity Ireland Annual Review.
Coalition 2030: 2022 Video Review.
IPA second publication launch - Policies for Gender Justice. Practices in addressing domestic violence and gender stereotypes Register for this Jan 17th Event HERE
The Irish Government launched it's Climate Action Plan 2023 on December 21st 2022. Minister Eamon Ryan, explained that this plan is another step that is built upon the Paris Agreement of 2015 where Ireland committed to halve it's carbon emissions by 2030 and to be net zero by 2050. In 2019 Ireland's Ciitizen's Assembly deliberated on Climate Change and offered 13 specific recommendations the strongest of which recommended that the State should take a leadership role in addressing climate change through mitigation measures, including, for example, retrofitting public buildings, having low carbon public vehicles, renewable generation on public buildings and through adaptation measures including, for example, increasing the resilience of public land and infrastructure.
This plan is not an advisory plan, it is not an ordinary plan, it is a policy document. It is the legal basis upon which we can and will make a change. This plan outlines the need to commit massively to renewables, (both onshore and offshore wind energy and solar).
In 2022 there were 27,000 homes retrofitted with a commitment to retrofit 37,000 homes in 2023.
In the area of Transport there is a definite pivot in the direction of sustainable transport with a commitment to allow for a grearter degree of remote working. There is to be a greater emphasis on the use of public transport with a commitment that by the end of the decade one half of all journeys would be on public transport. This would entail a three fold increase increase in current provision along with continuing fare reductions. Up to 1/3 of all cars by 2030 will be electric vehicles.
In the area of agriculture this plan is being hailed as being good for the family farm and will necessarily involve supported diversification and afforestation. There is a commitment to switch from dairy to tillage to keep in line with our COP15 targets, reducing pollution. Both Climate and Nature Based solutions will help to achieve these COP15 promises and will secure the family farm as promised in the Making Ireland Better Report.
This report offers concrete measures to match targets now set down in law to be published in 2023.
CAP23 includes a variety of positive steps but fails to focus on the extreme urgency now required to meet Ireland’s initial carbon budget for 2021–2025.
You can read the summary below.
Climate Action Plan Summary 2023.pdf
Irish Times Dec 28th 2022
Sr. Orla Treacy has spent 17 years running schools and a health centre in South Sudan, and is slowly seeing a change in a country that likes to marry off girls fast. This interest article shows the courage and leadership of religious congregations as they work to improve the lives of women and girls in Africa in line with our International Presentation Association (IPA) commitments.
"In South Sudan, cows are often worth more than women, but young girls there, helped by Irish Loreto Sisters nuns, are changing attitudes slowly. “It’s the cows,” says Sr Orla Treacy, “When a girl gets married she is married in exchange for cows. It is still a daily challenge. There are still issues around families not wanting their daughters to be educated.”
As has traditionally been the case there is a greater incidence in the Violence against Women during the holiday season further underlining the need for greater investment and support for the those who support women and their families in situations of domestic violence. December 20th Irish Times
This song was created by young people affected by HIV living in Zimbabwe and taking part of the Wakakosha ('I am worth it') programme. During a creative songwriting series of workshops they went through the experience of telling their story, dive deep into what dealing with HIV-related self-stigma meant to them, and used these feelings to compile the Wakakosha song.
Irish Times December 1st 2022
In early December Leo Varadkar took over as Taoiseach from Micheál Martin as part of the agreed changes in the programme for government and one of his first actions is to establish a child poverty Unit in the Department of An Taoiseach.
Child Poverty Unit is a gamechanger in the campaign to end child poverty in Ireland - say Children's Rights Alliance
Click to read the full text of Statement.
Speaking in response to the announcement this evening by new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanya Ward, Chief Executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance said:
"We have spent the last week in the Children's Rights Alliance focused on reaching out to many of our member organisations to help support them to deliver food and nutritious meals to children across the country. For the thousands of children and young people living in poverty, that this winter is incredibly difficult and the cost of living continues to exacerbate existing inequalities. We know that to make any real, significant change to the levels of child poverty we see today, we need political will and drive from the highest levels of government.
The announcement today by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is a gamechanger. Establishing an office to tackle child poverty and improve wellbeing in the Department of Taoiseach follows the successful track record of other child poverty offices in Scotland and New Zealand that have delivered positive outcomes for children and young people. It will ensure that children and young people are a priority in the most influential department, and the department best places to instigate and sustain cross-governmental work. In order to reverse the tide of child poverty, we need a whole-of-government approach to developing and delivering solutions.
We look forward to hearing more of the detail on the proposed scale and resources of this new child poverty and wellbeing office, which will determine whether it can deliver its ambition of making Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child."
Family reunification, residency issues, citizenship, EU Treaty rights and employment were the top five issues raised by callers to the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s (ICI) Immigration Helpline in 2021. That’s according to data that was released in the ICI’s annual Impact Report
Family reunification, citizenship and employment among top key challenges facing migrants
Family reunification, citizenship and employment among top key challenges facing migrants
Family reunification, residency issues, citizenship, EU Treaty rights and employment were the top five issues raised by callers to the Immigrant Council of Ireland’s (ICI) Immigration Helpline in 2021. That’s according to data that was released today (29.11.22) in the ICI’s annual Impact Report.
Over the course of the year, the helpline handled over 3,600 queries, with more than 450 of those queries coming from countries outside of Ireland. The service is run by trained staff and provides free and confidential advice on all immigration queries.
Commenting today, Brian Killoran, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said: “In 2021, the Immigrant Council celebrated its 20th year in existence and continued to play a vital role in supporting migrant communities in Ireland. 2021 was a very busy year for our services, and the complexities of the Irish immigration system continued to come to the fore.
“While 2022 has been dominated largely by big immigration issues such as refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, it is important that we also continue to remain vigilant with our efforts in addressing the every-day challenges facing migrants – such as family rights and security around their right to live in Ireland.”
Legal Advice and Assistance
In addition to the Immigration Helpline, the Immigrant Council’s independent law centre supported over 300 legal cases in 2021, including its first ever case at Supreme Court level. Among the most prominent legal issues handled during 2021, were:
· Securing residence permissions for victims of domestic violence.
· Supporting migrant and refugee family reunification.
· Supporting citizenship applications.
· Addressing the issue of statelessness
· Providing assistance to victims of trafficking in securing residence and family reunification.
· Assisting unaccompanied child migrants in securing residence, citizenship and family reunification.
Catherine Cosgrave, Managing Solicitor at the Immigrant Council of Ireland, added “It was a landmark year for the Immigrant Council in 2021, as we supported our first ever case at Supreme Court level through our independent law centre.
“The issues and cases that we deal with at the Immigrant Council are often harrowing and difficult, but many of the themes and challenges that clients present with are reoccurring. It’s very clear from our work, that the pathways for migrants in Ireland are not straight forward, and that significant reform of our immigration system is needed, so that migrants can access the services and supports they require.”
Advancing Migrant Integration
Throughout 2021, the ICI continued to provide opportunities to help advance migrant integration in Ireland. This included initiatives such as the Migrant-Counsellor Internship Scheme for migrants interested in getting involved in local politics, as well as empowering the political representation of migrants through voter registration training for people from a migrant background.
The Council also provides an anti-racism support service for people who have experienced or witnessed racist incidents in Ireland. In 2021, the ICI provided support to 99 people who reported a racist incident to them.
Domestic Violence within the Migrant Community
In September 2021, the Immigrant Council launched its Community Navigators programme, which trained five migrant women to become ‘Community Navigators’, acting as a bridge between State services and migrant communities. The Community Navigators received expert training on Irish immigration law and public supports so that they could provide information and support to migrants in their communities experiencing domestic violence.
Commenting on her experience as a Community Navigator, Hamda Ajmal said: “As a Community Navigator I see the terrible impact domestic violence has on victims…Many of the people we help report feeling trapped and helpless, and in many cases, there are children involved which can contribute to the victim’s feeling of powerlessness to leave the abusive environment. What we want them to know is that they do not have to stay – that they have rights, and there is help available.”
And from Mary-Ann Greaney the Christmas Edition of Nano's Echo.
Nano's Echo December 2022.pdf
IPA second publication launch - Policies for Gender Justice. Practices in addressing domestic violence and gender stereotypes.
The second publication of the International Presentation Association titled “Policies for Gender Justice. Practices in addressing domestic violence and gender stereotypes” places a focus on policy responses addressing domestic violence and gender stereotypes by the governments and NGOs in India, United States and Zimbabwe. It explores synergies and collaboration between governments and civil society organizations before and during COVID-19 aiming to address the issues at stake. Research’s participants will share their experiences, privileging their expertise and providing the audience with the opportunity to learn from their insights.
You can register for this January 17th event HERE
The Flyer and the concept note for this event can be found below.
Flyer_IPA second publication launch_Jan 17, 2023.pdf
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