Foreign national’s participation in Irish society celebrated

Community groups from all over Ireland are taking part in a week-long series of events to promote diversity and participation in Irish life for Interculture Week 2006.

The theme for the week is “participation” and is part of the National Action Plan Against Racism.

The week’s events include a celebration of the Kurdish New Year, an Ethnics Foods Day and an Open Day at Dublin’s Islamic Centre.

The NPAR says minority cultures are being embraced both North and South of the border.

The group says many local communities are more aware now of the need to actively integrate foreign nationals and are taking positive steps toward this end.

But it warns it is especially important that children are taught at school and in the home that Ireland is a multicultural society and they must embrace children of other cultures.