Connect with us
Limerick Integration Group Limerick Integration Group

Community

WATCH: The 3rd Limerick Integration Plan Belonging to Limerick manifests cultural diversity

Limerick Integration Plan Belonging to Limerick manifests cultural diversity.  President Michael D Higgins speaking at the launch of Belonging to Limerick, The 3rd Limerick Integration Plan 2018-22 at Thomond Park. Picture: Keith Wiseman

 

The 3rd Limerick Integration Plan Belonging to Limerick manifests cultural diversity

By ilovelimerick Correspondent Simran Kapur


advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement




advertisement



The 3rd Limerick Integration Plan was officially launched on September 28 at Thomond Park. The theme for this year’s integration plan is “Belonging to Limerick”.

The plan encourages a sense of inclusion and ‘belonging’ especially aimed at increasing intercultural awareness and supporting communities.

The Honourable President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, attended the launch on Friday. President Higgins, born in Limerick himself spoke greatly about the landmark periods throughout Irish history that marked a large scale of migration, some through his own experiences. 

Appreciating the title of the plan the President said, “The document itself is actually very inspiring, as it contains the word ‘belong’. Thus giving a sense of being attached and of being a part of something.”

The President in his speech also suggested a need for harmony among people, “May I suggest that we achieve the best of ourselves when we understand and accept the complexity of identity and move on from simply tolerating differences. We can then come to embrace and celebrate what makes the newest citizens of Limerick unique.”

Limerick Integration Plan

President, Michael D Higgins at the launch of Belonging to Limerick, Limerick City and County Integration Plan 2018-22 in Thomond Park with guest speaker, Donna Vuma and Mayor of Limerick, city and County, James Collins enjoying the Limerick gospel singing Limerick You’re My Lady’. Picture: Keith Wiseman

Launching the event alongside the President Cllr James Collins, Mayor of the City and County of Limerick spoke of the diversity within the County, emphasizing greatly on the feeling of belonging.

“We have over 150 nationalities in Limerick and they all consider themselves as Limerick people. This new strategy is an important next step in building a truly intercultural Limerick, a Limerick that will benefit everyone,” Cllr Collins said.

Limerick local charity Doras Luimni is a driving force for the Integration Plan. It is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation working to promote and protect human rights. They provide free and confidential advice and legal information services on a range of immigration-related issues.

Speaking further about the benefits of the plan, Doras Luimni Board member and co-founder of Every Child is Your Child, Donnah Vuma said, “The integration plan points to Active Citizenship as one of its priority thematic areas and I could not agree more, contributing to the community enabled me to be a part of the community, it gave me a sense of belonging to Limerick.

Limerick local charity Doras Luimni is a driving force for the Integration Plan. It is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation working to promote and protect human rights. They provide free and confidential advice and legal information services on a range of immigration-related issues.

Speaking further about the benefits of the plan, Doras Luimni Board member and co-founder of Every Child is Your Child, Donnah Vuma said, “The integration plan points to Active Citizenship as one of its priority thematic areas and I could not agree more, contributing to the community enabled me to be a part of the community, it gave me a sense of belonging to Limerick.

The Limerick Gospel Choir led by David Idooh welcomed the President and all distinguished guests with their special performance.

Representatives from the HSE, The Polish Art Festival, An Garda Siochana and Doras Luimni put up information stands to offer the attendees support within their capacity. 

For more information on Limerick Integration Group, go here

For more stories on Integration group, go here

Pictures: Baoyan Zhang/ilovelimerick

Pictures: Krzysztof Piotr Luszczki

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.