ITM Bi Weekly Update of 3 October 2011
1. FINAL CALL Nominations Invited For Traveller Role Models for Traveller Pride Awards 2011 Extension of Closing Date to Friday, 7 October
2. Irish Traveler Movements Education worker in action during the Protest Against Education Cuts
3. PRESS RELEASE Facebook Case, related to Travellers, Dismissed
4. Adult Learners Forum of Ireland (ALFI) meeting, Wednesday, 26 October 2011
5. VACANCIES
1. Extern, ASSISTANT COURSE FACILITATOR, MONAGHAN and ARMAGH
2. Midland Traveller Conflict Mediation Initiative Mediation Facilitator
6. ITM Important Dates for your diary
7. Use the ITM E-zine update to get your message across
1. Extension of Closing Date. Nominations Invited For Traveller Role Models for Traveller Pride Awards
EXTENSION OF CLOSING DATE FOR NOMINATIONS FOR TRAVELLER AWARDS
Friday, 7 October at 5pm.
Due to the demand from Traveller organisations we are extending the closing date for nominations for Traveller Pride Awards by one week only to Friday 7 October.
There are 7 categories for nominations
Education
Arts or Culture
Music
Enterprise or Employment
Youth
Sport
Community
Anyone can nominate a Traveller or Traveller group for the awards.
If you need a nomination form in Word format, please contact the
ITM office at 01 – 679 6577
Nominations Invited For Traveller Role Models for Traveller Pride Awards
Travellers throughout Ireland are being invited to nominate role models in their community as likely recipients of a Traveller Pride Award to acknowledge their achievement and contribution in areas such as; Education, Music, Youth, Sports Arts or Culture, Enterprise and Employment and Community. The awards now in their third year which are organised jointly by eight Traveller organisations of which the Irish Traveller Movement is one, recognises the achievements and contributions Travellers make to their own community and to Irish society and culminate in a ceremony that coincides with Traveller Pride Week held each December.
Selection of an Award recipient is considered by a judging panel and previous winners have been chosen for their commitment to and involvement in local or national initiatives, their demonstration of leadership qualities, where they acted as role models for their peers, showed a commitment to Travellers rights and broader human rights issues, established enterprise projects, excelled in music, arts, sports and heritage all the while overcoming barriers in order to achieve their goals and with their Traveller identity intact.
Nomination forms can be accessed via the Irish Traveller Movement Website by clicking HERE or by phone on 01 679 6577
Traveller Pride winners are recognised for their passion, commitment and hard work and the showcasing of their accomplishments provides inspiration to other Travellers throughout Ireland in their efforts and encourages them to participate in activities which promote Traveller identity in Irish society.
President Mary McAleese who presented the Overall Pride Award in 2010 said These men and women are exactly the kind of people we need right now for they are leaders, problem-solvers, the kind of people who refuse to become mere spectators when there is work to be done, mountains to be shifted so that the road ahead can be made easier for others. They are the people who are creating the Ireland of the future – a fairer place, a place where Travellers can hold proudly and openly to their Traveller identity right at the heart of the mainstream of Irish life.
The Traveller Pride Awards and Traveller Pride Week provides a valuable opportunity for Travellers and Traveller organisations to have a Traveller focused space to reflect on issues which relate to their lives and Irish life in an open positive setting. It also gives a huge sense of confidence and pride among a community who have not experienced the same unguarded opportunities or environments to express opinions, or be positively discriminated for and celebrated as distinguished from issues which have in the past often dominated the way they have been perceived and often reflected their lives through a negative focus.
Background Notes
Events are coordinated by eight Traveller organisations of which the Irish Traveller Movement is one. Others include Pavee Point, the National Traveller Women’s Forum, Minceirs Whiden, Involve (formerly National Association of Traveller Centres), the Parish of the Travelling People, the Gay Travellers Support Group and National Traveller MABS.
Awards are made in seven categories: Education, Arts & Culture, Community, Enterprise, Music, Sport, and Youth, with one category winner also receiving the overall Traveller Pride Award 2011.
The Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) established in 1990, is a national network of over 80 organisations and individuals working within the Traveller community throughout Ireland. In a partnership of Travellers and settled people the Irish Traveller Movement are committed to seeking full equality for Travellers in Irish society.
2. Irish Traveler Movements Education worker in action during the Protest Against Education Cuts
Eileen Flynn represented the Irish Traveller Movement at a protest in September.
Click here to view a video of the protest.
3. PRESS RELEASE: Facebook Case (related to Travellers) Dismissed
Under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act
Killarney District Court Friday, 30th September 2011
September 30th 2011
The first prosecution dealing with online material in Ireland (and specifically Facebook), under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 was dismissed today in Killarney District Court. The case related to a 27 year old Kerry man who published materials on a Facebook page entitled Promote the use of Knacker Babies for shark bait and included a range of comments that were both threatening and abusive to the Traveller community.
The case was being monitored closely by the Irish Traveller Movement via their Independent Law Centre as one of the first complainants to bring the specific Facebook pages to the attention of the Gardai. They were present in court today and according to Managing solicitor, Siobhan Cummiskey, Hate speech is used to intimidate and degrade vulnerable communities and to inflame prejudices against them and historically it has been shown to be dangerously effective in doing so. The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act is an under-utilised piece of legislation riddled with major weaknesses - many of which have been borne out in this failed prosecution. We call on the Minister for Justice to make reform of the law relating to incitement to hatred against Travellers and other vulnerable communities a priority. Any new legislation must also specifically address the internet as the most common medium for hate speech in light of the EU Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law.
Brigid Quilligan, Assistant Director of the Irish Traveller Movement was also present in the court and said As a Traveller woman I don’t feel justice was served today and commend the two local Traveller women and An Garda Siochana for pursuing this legal action. I have no doubt that the comments made on this Facebook page, if directed at other minority groups, would in other democratic jurisdictions, have provided a different legal outcome. This outdated Act is long overdue reform.
The Irish Traveller Movement (ITM) established in 1990, is a national network of over 80 organisations and individuals working within the Traveller community throughout Ireland. In a partnership of Travellers and settled people the Irish Traveller Movement are committed to seeking full equality for Travellers in Irish society.
The Irish Traveller Movement Independent Law Centre was established in June 2009. Siobhan Cummiskey is the managing solicitor of the Law Centre. The Centre provides a specialist legal service to Travellers in Ireland and is the only one of its kind in the country. The Law Centre pursues strategic cases in line with the core issues of the Irish Traveller Movement namely, (Accommodation, Equality and Human Rights, Education, Access to Services and Ethnicity) and is open to the referral of cases of this nature.
For further information or comment please contact Jacinta Brack Public Relations Coordinator on
01 - 679 6577
Background
The Prohibition of Incitement to Racial Hatred Act entered into force in December 1989 and its enactment was an attempt to comply with Ireland's international human rights obligations. The Act is underutilized and prosecutions have been few and far between, in fact there were only 18 cases and seven convictions from December 1989 to May 2004 (this is according to the Irish government’s First Report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2004).
Examples of cases taken under the act include the failed prosecution of a Fine Gael councillor in Mayo, who accused Travellers of lying around in the sun like dogs instead of participating in FÁS schemes (the comment was considered offensive but not incitement) and the overturning of the conviction of a Dundalk bus driver who called a young child a black bastard and told him to go back to Africa.
The Act is believed to be outdated and has been under review by the Department of Justice for upwards of a decade. A review of the law is particularly important in light of the EU Framework Decision on combating racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, required to be transposed by Ireland by November 2010. The Directive requires effective implementation of comprehensive and clear legislation to combat racism and xenophobia
ENDS
4. Adult Learners Forum of Ireland (ALFI) meeting - Wednesday, 26th October 2011
The next meeting of the Adult Learners Forum of Ireland will take place on the 26th October 2011, in the Ashling Hotel, Dublin 8.
Since the last meeting there has been a lot of discussion on how best Adult Learner Voices can be heard and what can be done to make the national voice sustainable. In looking at this we have worked closely with the Limerick City Adult Learners Forum, a learner forum that has been working for the last five years. Based on their experience and other international forums we have developed a toolkit to support learners to come together and build their own local learner forums.
Who is this meeting for?
Any adult learner who is interested in seeing how their voice can be heard and are looking for ways to organise locally to build a local learner voice. Learners from all backgrounds, involved in any form of adult and community education are welcome to attend.
Registration begins at 9:30 and the meeting will start at 10am sharp.
Click HERE for the ALFI flyer which includes the agenda for the meeting.
The meeting on the 26 October will launch the toolkit and will look at what learners can do to set up their own forum and what supports AONTAS can give. It will have inputs from Limerick City Adult Learners’ Forum on their experience as a working forum and insight from John Gates, one of the founders of the Global Learners’ Forum on the work he is involved with in Wales in developing local learner forums. John Lonergan, former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, will end the meeting by looking at people power, active participation and how learner forums fit into the idea of active citizenship.
There will be facilitated discussions for learners to have their say and look at what their role will be to use the toolkit and build the local learner voice.
Places are limited so please book your place online here. We hope to see you there and would appreciate if you could circulate this information to other learners who might be interested or among your contact lists.
Regards, Damien Walshe,
Learning Advocacy Officer
AONTAS (The National Adult Learning Organisation)
2nd Floor, 83-87 Main Street
Ranelagh, Dublin 6 01 4068220
5. VACANCIES
1. Extern, ASSISTANT COURSE FACILITATOR, MONAGHAN / ARMAGH
Extern provides a variety of quality community based services to children, young people, adults and families across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
We help marginalised and vulnerable people find a pathway to build resilience to realise their potential and cope with lifes challenges.
If you want to make a difference to the lives of others in the community as part of our committed team of professionals, Extern is recruiting for the following post:
Assistant Course Facilitator (Job Ref No: R0I/473/10/11)
Contract: Fixed term for 1 year (subject to funding), anticipated start date October / November 2011.
Hours: Average of 16.5 hours per week, including evening and weekend working, with possibility of additional hours.
Salary Scale: Clerical/Admin Grade 4 €28,330 to €40,209 per annum (full time). Starting on point 1 €28,330 per annum (full time), reduced pro rata based on hours worked.
Location: Monaghan / Armagh.
Further information and an application form are available on our website at www.extern.org by clicking on the “Jobs” link and selecting “ROI Child & Family Services”
Closing date for completed applications: Monday 17th October 2011 at 5pm.
All correspondence will be via email jobs@extern.org . C.Vs. will not be accepted.
Extern is an equal opportunities employer and all our appointments are made based on merit at the point of selection.
2. Midland Traveller Conflict Mediation Initiative - Mediation Facilitator
Midland Traveller Conflict Mediation Initiative - Mediation Facilitator.
Westmeath Employment Pact is recruiting a Mediation Facilitator who will work with the Midland Traveller Conflict Mediation Initiative to deliver on its workplan. This project is funded by the Department of Justice and The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and is a Pilot ADR programme which intervenes in conflicts involving the Traveller community and between Travellers and the Settled Community. This is a four month contract which may be extended subject to satisfactory performance and funding.
Intending applicants should note the following
1 The closing date for receipt of applications is 5 p.m. Friday October 7th 2011
2 For further information and an application guide please email tep@eircom.net
3 Interviews will be scheduled during the week beginning Monday October 10th 2011
4 Subject to satisfactory references and agreeing terms the successful candidate will start immediately
Job Description
The Mediation Facilitator will be a member of a two person conflict management team and will work closely with the Project Management Team and with the MTCMI Steering Group. The primary responsibility of the Mediation Facilitator is to implement the strategic plans of the MTCMI and to take actions which will lead to the avoidance, transformation or resolution of conflict as it impacts on the Traveller community i.e. within the Traveller and between the Traveller community and the majority settled community.
Overall Responsibility
The facilitator will be responsible for the following duties:
• Responding to conflicts in the Traveller Community and between Travellers and the Settled Community.
• Taking referrals from stakeholders i.e. Travellers, Gardai, Local Authorities, Traveller Support Groups etc.
• Linking with existing initiatives in the Midlands developed with and supporting Travellers
• Building the capacity of Travellers to deal with conflict in a more proactive and effective manner, and supporting Travellers who are already challenging conflict in their community.
• Delivering alternative dispute resolution programmes for Travellers and those working with Travellers in the Midlands.
Reporting to
The facilitator will report to MTCMI Steering Group via their line manager, meeting with their line-manager and the MTCMI Chairperson as required. The facilitator will provide their line manager with fortnightly work reports for review at the fortnightly Project Management Meetings, and progress reports as required for the Steering Group.
Successful candidates will have:
• Experience of working with conflict and organising/facilitating cross community work involving a range of stakeholders
• A Third level qualification in a related area
• Experience and understanding of Traveller culture
• Understanding of community development principles
• Proven inter-personal and communications skills
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues and the context of this project in relation to Traveller conflict
• Ability to work on own initiative and within a team
• Ability to work fast and flexibly and to meet deadlines under pressure
• Ability to access resources to support and sustain the initiative
• Ability to liaise with a variety of stakeholders and the Steering Group
• A high degree of self-motivation and initiative
• Ability to work irregular and unsocial hours on occasions
NB Full driving licence and access to a car required
Salary commensurate with experience
6. ITM Important Information and Dates for your Diary
From the Accommodation Working Group:
It had been decided by the Accommodation Working Group that to be more informed by Travellers and local issues we would hold regional Accommodation Working Group Meetings twice a year and hold four ITM National Accommodation Policy Committee meetings a year.
Representatives from each region will be invited to sit on this committee. We are hoping that this new way of holding the meetings will ensure participation of Travellers and Traveller representatives on LTACCs. It has been suggested that the meetings would be held on the same day as a regional health network meeting. Colette Spears, ITM Accommodation worker, will be in contact with regional primary health care co-ordinators to check if this is possible or for further suggestions on how best to meet regionally.
It is envisaged that there will be one meeting regionally between now and Christmas, dates to be confirmed.
7. Use the ITM E-zine update to get your message across
All ITM members who wish to circulate positions available and upcoming events etc can simply send information to be circulated to the membership.
Please send details by the Wednesday mornings at the latest to itm.ezine@gmail.com
