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World Day of Social Justice 2022 to celebrate Equal Rights for All

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World Day of Social Justice 2022 – Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities.

World Day of Social Justice 2022 to celebrate Equal Rights for All

World Day of Social Justice

Citizens Information Services have played an important role in bringing about the social inclusion of minority groups and migrant communities in Ireland.

World Day of Social Justice 2022 will take place on Sunday, February 20, 2022. 


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Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities.  Closely tied to human rights, social justice is essentially about fairness within society in areas such as health, work and housing.  It applies to all aspects of society, including race and gender with a shared aim of equal rights, opportunity and treatment.

The purpose of World Day of Social Justice 2022 is to encourage us to raise our voices against social injustice and to promote social justice within our communities and throughout the world.

So how do Citizens Information Services promote Social Justice?

Citizens Information offers a free, confidential, non-judgemental and impartial service providing information, advice and advocacy to the public on social welfare supports, employment law, migrant rights, family law, health services, consumer rights, and many other issues affecting an individuals’ rights and entitlements while living and working in Ireland.

The service is there to assist people who may be at a crossroads in their lives or have changed circumstances; where they may have important decisions to make; and where impartial, non-judgemental, and informed advice is needed. They support some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in Ireland.  They make sure that people have all the information they need to access their rights or entitlements, presented in an easy-to-understand way.

Citizens Information Services have played an important role in bringing about the social inclusion of minority groups and migrant communities in Ireland, including refugees and asylum seekers.

Information officer Nan Li said, “Our Immigration clinic is very busy; we support clients with a wide range of queries including Citizenship applications, family reunification, travel documents, visas, employment work permits and rights of residence. We also provide information and advice to clients in direct provision”

In some circumstances, a person may need additional assistance in the form of advocacy.  Citizens Information Services can help by working with the person to achieve a right or entitlement.  This can mean a once-off engagement, such as assisting someone to write a letter or make a phone call, or a complex and longer-term process such as preparing a person for, or representing them at, a Social Welfare Appeals Office or Workplace Relations Commission hearing.

Anna, a client of the Limerick service, tells us about her experience , “Sometimes forms can be confusing as English is not my first language, and the Information officer guided me through it step by step. It was such a relief to get my tax sorted.”

CIS staff also engage in social policy work.  This involves reporting on the barriers experienced by people in accessing and using social services at a local level.  This anonymised data is provided to Citizens Information Board who analyse it, identify trends, and report to relevant government departments or agencies highlighting the issues and making recommendations for change.  The focus is on tackling the root causes of the problem, not just dealing with the symptoms.   

If you or any of your family or friends need some information or support around immigration, citizenship or any other area, phone your local Citizens Information office, they will be happy to help.

Information Officers in the Citizens Information Centres throughout the County Limerick are available to answer any queries you may have about your rights and entitlements or any related questions. They are available from Monday to Friday and while their drop-in service is not currently available due to COVID-19, our centres are still staffed and they are assisting clients by phone and email and have limited face-to-face appointments. Contact them at [email protected].

For more information about Citizens Information Services go HERE

For more equality stories go HERE 

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.