Migrants 'bring cultural as well as economic benefits'

The cultural benefits of immigration need to be recognised as well as the economic rewards, a leading rights body said today.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) said it wants to humanise the migration debate and show that individuals who come here have a contribution to make and a story to tell.

As part of its campaign, the ICI launched The Richness Of Change, a series of short, personal films documenting the experiences of migrants who have fashioned a new life in Ireland.

More than 100 people attended the event at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.

ICI chief executive Denise Charlton said it should not matter whether migrants are company chief executives or domestic workers, as they all have a contribution to make.

“It is our hope this project will humanise the debate about immigration and show that migrants are individuals, each with a unique contribution to make and story to tell,” she said.

“All of the people featured in the project are enriching our society. Recognising and valuing diversity should underpin our attitude to integration in Ireland.”

The event was also attended by President Mary McAleese, US-based expert on migration Dr Demetrios Papademetriou, and Ireland’s first black mayor, Rotimi Adebari, from Portlaoise.

ICI chair John Cunningham said it is crucial that Ireland embraces and values the cultural and social benefits migrants bring.

“So far, debate about immigration has focused largely on the impact on the economy and infrastructure,” Mr Cunningham said.

“For example, labour force participation and the increase in national wealth, or the need for appropriate planning for population growth, or more effective integration policies.

“While these are issues of crucial importance, we also wanted to highlight the social and cultural benefits Ireland is experiencing through immigration.”

ICI founder and board member Sister Stanislaus Kennedy said Ireland is now recognising the importance of integration as an issue but much more needs to be done.

“We hear talk about the successes and failures of our integration policies but the reality is, we don’t yet have one,” Sr Stan said.

“Effective integration won’t just happen, it requires leadership and appropriate resources.

“We now have a Minister for Integration in the Government, which is a very welcome initiative. However, that in itself is not enough.

“The Government must set as a priority the development of effective integration policies, which are based on the principle of equality and fully acknowledge the cultural and social benefits of diversity.”