This project is co-financed by the European Refugee Fund 2004

This project is co-financed by theEuropean Refugee Fund 2004


Final Report

‘Training on awareness raising in the workplace regarding refugees, asylum seekers, racism

and discrimination issues’ ©

The content of this report does not necessarily reflect the view of the funders of KADE


Contents Acknowledgements Project team and partners Foreword Introduction Establishing the project Project Advisory Group Emerging principals Implementing the project Training workshops Insights and observations Evaluation Conclusion Appendices


Acknowledgements KADE wishes to acknowledge all those who

participated in and assisted the Project

Kerry County Council Tralee Refugee Support Service Killarney Asylum Seeker Support Initiative The Reception and Integration Agency


Implementing the Project Project Team and PartnersProject Team: KADE Coordinator Project Officer Project Evaluator

The Project Team was supported by: KADE Resource Centre staff Training guest speaker legal expert

Project Advisory Group: Kerry County Council Tralee Refugee Support Service Killarney Asylum Seeker Support Initiative KADE Chairperson


Foreword: KADE Chairperson Paul Hanrahan

• Dramatic unprecedented increase in those seeking refuge or asylum from outside this island.

• Tragedy in one part of the globe can have a direct impact on us locally.

• We here in Ireland suffered the scourge of emigration for many years. The solution: creation of a healthy economy with a respect for human rights, allowing people to live with dignity in the land of their ancestors.

• Only long term solution to the crisis of displacement: ensure that home environments are safe.


• Needed: creative and innovative response on the part of our leaders, to ensure the wellbeing of the migrants while preserving the wellbeing of the home community.

• We are fortunate here in Kerry that such leadership exists, e.g.County Council took the unique step of adopting the Barcelona agreement (designed to protect the rights of those with disabilities).

• We are now challenged to show the same care towards those forced to leave their homes and come to our shores seeking shelter and safety; the people of Kerry are more than equal to that challenge.


Introduction Project Context ‘Local Issues with Global Connections’ – The

relevance of Refugee and Asylum Issues for Local Authorities in Kerry highlighted the need to promote an increased awareness of the ‘global dimensions’ to refugee and asylum issues in Ireland among Local Authorities.

“ Issues relating to poverty, inequality and displacement in

Africa, Asia and Eastern European countries are no longer a distant concern to Irish people, but are having a direct impact on life in Ireland and Kerry”.

(Collins, A. ‘Local Issues with Global Connections’ 2002)


Key Research Objectives4 Research Objectives

Assess views of statutory/non-statutory agencies on the importance of refugee/asylum issues

Explore ways in which local government can become more informed

Inform local government on the possible development of agreed local strategies

Explore role that Development Education could play in promoting greater awareness and understanding


Report Recommendations for Local Authorities in Kerry Leadership role for the Local Authority

Commitment to legislative obligations

Influencing public opinion

Including refugees and asylum seekers in policy making

Training for staff


Report Recommendations for Development EducationCentres

Increasing awareness of the global dimension

Learning from activities of other Local Authorities

Developing links with local support groups


Report Presented to Kerry County Council Housing SPC

November 2003


Securing Project Funding

European Refugee Fund (main funder) - provided an opportunity to develop a training and awareness raising project

Expected Project Outcomes - positive impact on

levels of awareness, attitudes towards refugees

and asylum seekers, and on service provision

within the local authorities


Securing Project Funding

KADE identified the project’s potential to inform practice and the planned dissemination of this work to other local authorities upon completion

Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform identified the project’s potential to inform agency

work with county and city development boards


Establishing the Project KADE formally set out the aims and objectives

Key focus: staff in Kerry County and Town Councils

Awareness raising Providing knowledge and skills Supporting enhancement of service delivery Facilitating the development of

a coordinated policy


Establishing the Project Key objectives focused on a series of 5 coordinatedactions, followed by planned information dissemination

Preparatory research Needs analysis Delivery of training Evaluation Comprehensive documentation of the project

Dissemination of lessons learned – pilot outcomes can serve to inform wider Local Authority service provision


Project Advisory GroupRole Of Advisory Group

to act in an advisory capacity at key stages of the project, and to contribute expertise and support in 4 key areas:

guidance on best practice in working with refugees and asylum seekers

exchange and sharing of local knowledge provision of ongoing feedback to the KADE Project Team assistance in the dissemination of the learning that

emerged from the Project


Project Advisory Group

Arron Olaniron, Grainne Landers, Aoife C. CliffordMarilyn Counihan, Mary McGillicuddy, Roselyn E. Akobai


Principles which Emerged

3 elements emerged which influenced the process and delivery of the project

Consultation

Partnership and inclusion

Training for direct action


Implementing the ProjectThe 6 stages

1. Preparatory research

2. Preparatory research continued: needs

analysis/staff mapping

3. Determining the knowledge base

4. Delivery of training and evaluation

5. Project documentation

6. Report dissemination


Preparatory ResearchThis involved reviewing secondary research material and conducting small scale primary research at a local level.

Secondary Research: Facts and information about refugee and asylum issues Database information Legislation and regulatory frameworks


Preparatory Research

Primary Research:

Interviews with selected local support groups

KCC staff mapping exercise


Interviews with Local Support GroupsObjectives Gain a clearer understanding of current local practice Build relationships with local support services

Focus Prevalent issues for refugees and asylum seekers

in the local community Identify current strategies employed by local support

services


Selected Interviews withLocal Support GroupsPrevalent issues

Living in Direct Provision for long periods Coping with feelings of isolation Accessing affordable early years education services Support for children in the education system at key

transition stages (e.g. Primary to Post-Primary)


Interviews with Local Support GroupsCurrent strategies employed by local support services:

Providing access to information Promoting interculturalism and personal capacity

building Interagency networking


Staff Mapping ExerciseDepartment of Community and Enterprise

Department of Roads

and Transportation

Department of Environment and Water Services

Department of Planning and Sustainable Development

Department of Housing

Corporate Services

Finance Legal Affairs


Areas of ActivityLibrary Service Estate

ManagementMotor Taxation

Arts and Sports Office

Third Level Grants

Housing

Repairs and Maintenance

Planning Refuse Collection

Environment of Towns and Villages

Communications Play and Recreation


The Local Authority in Kerry

Determining the current knowledge base Previous training on equality frameworks Complementarities with Development Education

models Training that has begun the process of awareness

raising about refugee and asylum issues Training with ‘action planning’ and ‘networking’

elements as part of the training outcomes


Proposal for Training WorkshopsTraining Workshops Incorporating information

provision and awareness raising

Input from invited speakers

Resource packs

Evaluation Assessing the impact,

quality and cost effectiveness of the project


Training Workshops Content included Exchange of experiences by participants Information provision Awareness raising (experiential exercise) Input from invited solicitor Questions and Answers Review of selected websites Resource pack


Evaluation

External Evaluator

Monitoring and evaluation process designed at outset

Individual participant questionnaires

Invited follow-up interview

Final written report


Training – Key Themes 2002 Report content and recommendations

Development Education

Refugees and asylum seekers - understanding the process, definitions and legal context

Global trends / local situation

Why people leave their country of origin


Training – Key Themes

The needs of refugees and asylum seekers

Integration – elements of good practice

Mainstreaming anti-racism and integration

Input from invited guest legal expert (solicitor)


Evaluation 17 of 22 participants completed an Evaluation Questionnaire.

All 17 participants evaluated the programme as achieving its aims.

16 participants agreed that they had gained a better understanding of the concerns of asylum seekers and refugees in dealing with the department/unit of the local authority that the participant worked in. 1 participant disagreed.

12 participants would be willing to participate if a Planning/ Implementation Review group was set up within the Local Authorities in Kerry to prepare and implement changes in policy, procedures and practices.


Insights and ObservationsKey things we learned:

Commitment of local support centres Inclusion and participation of refugees and asylum

seekers Use ‘policy’ to inform ‘practice’ Build effective partnership between public bodies

and voluntary organisations


Conclusion Build local capacity - value the inclusion and

participation of refugees in awareness raising initiatives

Undertake collaborative relationships – develop local strategies to support integration in the community

Inform wider policy and practice – e.g. use the KADE project model as a resource and a tool for change in other Local Authority areas


List of Appendices

‘Local Issues with Global Connections – the Relevance of Refugee and Asylum Issues for Local Authorities in Kerry’ report

List of documents identified as secondary resource material (preparatory stage)

Training workshop Powerpoint presentation Resource pack for participants (listing)


List of Appendices, continued

Guest legal expert Powerpoint presentation Guest legal expert lecture notes Notes from semi-structured interviews with local

support groups (preparatory stage) Evaluation questionnaire for participants

Documents

This project is co-financed by the European Refugee Fund 2004