NASC Ireland -engaged for refugees and asylum seekers
by
Denise Nanni and Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. Nasc, the Irish Immigration Support
Centre, works for an integrated society based on the principles of human
rights, social justice and equality. We talked to Jennifer to understand the
main problems refugees and asylum seekers have in Ireland, and to see how the
organization copes with these problems.
Denise Nanni and Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. Nasc, the Irish Immigration Support
Centre, works for an integrated society based on the principles of human
rights, social justice and equality. We talked to Jennifer to understand the
main problems refugees and asylum seekers have in Ireland, and to see how the
organization copes with these problems.
How do you get in touch with
refugees and asylum seekers that could benefit from your help?
refugees and asylum seekers that could benefit from your help?
We generally rely on word-of-mouth and referrals from other
agencies/orgs for people to find out about our legal service, but we also do
some outreach, to family resource centres, direct provision centres, etc.
agencies/orgs for people to find out about our legal service, but we also do
some outreach, to family resource centres, direct provision centres, etc.
What are the main obstacles
face once arrived in Ireland?
face once arrived in Ireland?
There are probably some similar and some different obstacles for
refugees vs asylum seekers, and I’m not sure which you are focusing on but for
refugees, it would be language, accessing services like social protection,
housing, getting children settled in schools, finding employment and
integration into communities.
be language and getting children settled, but also the pressures of going into the
direct provision reception system where you have very little control, you can’t
work or cook, etc.
refugees vs asylum seekers, and I’m not sure which you are focusing on but for
refugees, it would be language, accessing services like social protection,
housing, getting children settled in schools, finding employment and
integration into communities.
be language and getting children settled, but also the pressures of going into the
direct provision reception system where you have very little control, you can’t
work or cook, etc.
Do you carry on any awareness-raising
activity? If yes, how have local communities been responsive so far?
activity? If yes, how have local communities been responsive so far?
We use social media and traditional media for awareness raising
and generally this is very well received by the public. We’ve recently launched
a campaign – Safe Passage – calling on the government to introduce humanitarian
admission for families. This has received a lot of public support.
and generally this is very well received by the public. We’ve recently launched
a campaign – Safe Passage – calling on the government to introduce humanitarian
admission for families. This has received a lot of public support.
Is racism a major obstacle to the
social inclusion of immigrants?
social inclusion of immigrants?
Racism is certainly an issue impacting integration – from
institutional racism in accessing services and supports, to ‘everyday’ racism
from the community.
with overt racism such as physical violence or hate groups in maybe the way
there has been in some parts of Europe.
institutional racism in accessing services and supports, to ‘everyday’ racism
from the community.
with overt racism such as physical violence or hate groups in maybe the way
there has been in some parts of Europe.
Do you cooperate with local
authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
authorities and institutions? If yes, how?
Yes, we actively engage with our local authority through the local
community development committee and the local public participation network. We
also work very closely with our local authority’s social inclusion unit.
community development committee and the local public participation network. We
also work very closely with our local authority’s social inclusion unit.
