MCRC Mailing –May /June 2008

0. MCRC news

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1. Events coming up

1.1 IPSC, 'Al Nakba' demonstration, Saturday 17th May

1.2 EMBRACE NI, Spring Meeting and AGM, Friday 20th May

1.3 All Ireland Programme For Immigrant Parents Conference, Cavan, Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st May

1.4 RAG, Belfast Exposed, Protesting Deportations – What Next?, Tuesday 27th May

1.5 Residents’ Jury on Regenerating Girdwood Barracks and Crumlin Road Gaol, Wednesday 28 May

1.6 Chinese Welfare Association, Dragon Boat Festival 2008, Sunday 1st June

1.7 Belfast City Council - Good Relations Showcase & Launch of Equality Reference Guide, Thursday 5th June

1.8 Global Dimension in Schools Training Day, Thursday 5th June

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2. Jobs / Training Opportunities

2.1 East Belfast Independent Advice Centre, Minority Ethnic Group Advocacy and Rights Project Worker, deadline Friday 23rd May

2.2 Polish Association N.I, Development Worker, deadline Tuesday 27th May

2.3 Centre for Global Education, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer, deadline Tuesday 3rd June

2.4 STEP Job Vacancies, deadline Friday 06 June

2.5 Foundation Degree in Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations, information evening Wednesday 28 May

2.6 Northern Visions Community Media School, courses, 16-20th June

2.7 Migrant Worker Support Network, workshop on employment rights, Friday 20th June

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3. Campaigns / Information / Other

3.1 Your Rights at Work – pocket guide for Migrant workers

3.2 Migrant Workers guide - Your Rights in Northern Ireland Updated

3.3 Immigrant Council of Ireland – Migrant workers factsheets

3.4 Translink that the Senior Smartpass  

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0. MCRC news

0.1 MCRC / RAG new websites

Website have been harmonised throughout the Bryson Group –MCRC website has therefore been given a make over „ www.mcrc-ni.org  

The Refugee Action Group have also moved to its own independent website: Please visit „ www.refugeeactiongroup.com

1- Events coming up

1.1 IPSC, 'Al Nakba' demonstration, Saturday 17th May

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the state of Israel.

The nightmare for Palestinians continues today with Israeli military occupation, denial of human rights and a refugee existence.  Representatives of Palestinian civil society have called on those concerned with human rights to draw attention to this appalling state of affairs.  (Link http://www.pacbi.org/index.php?id=P706)  .

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign invites you to join them in a demonstration to mark the continuing catastrophe :

Al-Nakba - 60 Years of Dispossession

Assemble : 1.30 Pm  Art College, York St. Belfast

(Departing for City Hall at 2.00 P.M. where there will be a rally with speakers)

Bring banners and placards.

For more information:

1.2 EMBRACE NI, Spring Meeting and AGM, Friday 20th May

EMBRACE warmly invites you to their annual Spring Meeting followed by the AGM. This event will take place at 7pm on

at Edgehill College, Belfast.

The evening will look at Life in the Shadows, considering issues relating to vulnerable and exploited Migrant people.

The main speaker will be Deirdre Coghlan who will provide an exploration of information and issues relating to vulnerable Migrant 

Workers in Ireland. David Craig from Mountpottinger Presbyterian Church in Belfast will also speak about the experience of supporting and befriending people who have come to the end of the asylum process.

There will also be contributions from Embrace and the opportunity for discussion.

1.3 All Ireland Programme For Immigrant Parents Conference, Cavan, Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st May

The All Ireland Programme For Immigrant Parents (All IPIP) is pleased to announce their conference Supporting Immigrant Parents

7:00pm on the 20th and continuing all day on the 21st

The Cavan Crystal Hotel.

The conference is aimed at policy makers, service managers and practitioners, working in a range of areas, including integration, health promotion, family support, cultural diversity, immigration support, childcare, social services, and education, with new communities and minority ethnic families throughout the island of Ireland.

Official Opening on Tuesday 20th by Minister for Children, Brendan Smith

Followed by an evening reception with light buffet and entertainment

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Fatima Husain (Centre for Economic and Social Inclusion, London)

Other confirmed speakers include: Norbert Marjolin, NSPCC

Patrice Lawrence, National Children's Bureau, UK

Frances Byrne, OPEN

 1.4 RAG, Belfast Exposed, Protesting Deportations – What Next?, Tuesday 27^th May

Belfast 2008: Protesting Deportations – What Next?In collaboration with the Refugee Action Grou

p, Belfast Exposed has organised a panel discussion around the issue of UK deportation. The government has set out its agenda of strengthening the border and boasts that someone is deported from the UK every eight minutes. Belfast has recently witnessed and protested the unjust reality of the deportation of asylum-seekers which have a devastating effect on individual lives and communities alike. Tuesday 27 MAY, 6PM, Black Box Cafe, 18-22 Hill Street, Belfast Speakers
Jane Pennington and Andy Kouzoukis, Unity Centre, Glasgow
Paul Kazadi, asylum-seeker from the Democratic Republic of Congo
Anna Morvern, Refugee Action Group, Belfast
John Zekry, former asylum-seeker and ex-detainee from Egypt
Cassie McKeever, Refugee Action Group, Belfast
Fionola Meredith, writer and broadcaster, Belfast
Richie MacRitchie, P Drinan solicitors, Belfast Open to all, this discussion event will bring together participants from refugee support and anti-deportation campaigns in Belfast, Dublin and the Unity Centre in Glasgow. 

1.5 Residents’ Jury on Regenerating Girdwood Barracks and Crumlin Road Gaol, Wednesday 28 May

Communities across north Belfast contain some of the highest levels of deprivation and inequality in Northern Ireland with regard to health, education, employment and housing. The regeneration of Girdwood Barracks and Crumlin Road Gaol, a 27 acre site, represents a major opportunity to improve the quality of life for residents.

A diverse group of residents from the communities surrounding the regeneration site have completed a development programme with the PPR Project on human rights and regeneration. This group will be convened as a residents’ jury to hear evidence from local, national, and international perspectives on how regeneration can improve quality of life in accordance with international human rights standards.

 Speakers at the event will include:

·         Virginia Bras Gomes (Portugal) Member of the UN Committee on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights

·         Ron Shiffman (USA) Founding member of the Pratt Center for Community Development, New York

·         Prof. Richard Wilkinson (England) University of Nottingham, author of ‘The Impact of Inequality’

·         Joseph McNeely (USA) Coordinator of the Central Baltimore Partnership

Following the event, the Residents’ Jury will develop human rights indicators to ensure that the rights of the most disadvantaged groups within the surrounding communities are central to the regeneration process.

 “Residents’ Jury on Regenerating Girdwood Barracks and Crumlin Road Gaol”Wednesday 28^th May 200810am – 4pmIndian Community Centre 

If you wish to attend, please contact:

1.6 Chinese Welfare Association, Dragon Boat Festival 2008, Sunday 1^st June

Chinese Welfare Association presents

Dragon Boat Festival 2008

Sunday 1^st June, 10.30am – 4.30pm

A fun filled family event with Dragon Boat racing, Circus style entertainment, Kung Fu, Fire show and much more at The Lagan Water Sports Centre.

§       £170 per team – minimum 13, maximum 17 people.  Participants will receive a free lunch.

§        £2.50 for Adult

§         £1.50 for children

1.7 Belfast City Council - Good Relations Showcase & Launch of Equality Reference Guide, Thursday 5th June

The Good Relations Unit of Belfast City Council would like to invite you to:

·         Launch the council’s employee Equality Reference Guide; and

·         Showcase projects which demonstrate good practice in Good Relations

The council’s employee Equality Reference Guide aims to assist employees to understand different faiths, cultural groups and other equality related issues. The web based guide will enable all staff to access the latest information regarding equality related legislation, policies and procedures in the council.

We have also invited a variety of groups from community arts, conflict transformation, training, youth and minority ethnic fields to showcase the excellent work they’re doing to promote Good Relations in Belfast.

This event will take place on

from 10.00am – 1.00pm (including lunch).

1.8 Global Dimension in Schools Training Day, Thursday 5th June

Global Dimension in Schools NI is holding a pilot teacher training/ NGO forum day on the global issues in the curriculum in Malone House, Barnett Demesne, Belfast on the 5th June 2008. The training and sub cover will be provided for ten schools (two from each ELB area) for the pilot.

2- Job / Training Opportunities

2.1 East Belfast Independent Advice Centre, Minority Ethnic Group Advocacy and Rights Project Worker, deadline Friday 23^rd May

East Belfast Independent Advice Centre wishes to recruit a

The successful candidate will have:

1.    Law Centre or NIACAB Adviser training

2.    A minimum of 1 year’s direct advice giving experience including advice to minority ethnic groups

3.    Experience of supporting volunteers

Salary: £22,961 plus employer’s contributory pension of 8.5%

Project funded until March 2009.  Contract pending further funding. 

Closing date for applications is Friday 23^rd May at 12 noon.

2.2 Polish Association N.I, Development Worker, deadline Tuesday 27^th May

If you would like to work in community sector and feel that you might be one of the best candidates, apply now.

Fixed Term 12 month, full time post. (Salary NJC pay scale)

1 Qualifications: 3 A-Levels or other country equivalent
2 At least 1 year’s experience working in a professional capacity and with a proven track record in the field of migrant worker advice services

3 Demonstrable skills & experience of working directly with minority ethnic community organisations

4 a sound working knowledge of black and ethnic minority community issues and policy issues in Northern Ireland

5 Experience of completing successful funding applications for community organisations

6 Experience of managing project budgets

7 Broad knowledge of the role of, structure of and operation of voluntary sector organisations

8 Experience of organising and delivery of a wide range of community based activities including training programmes, large-scale cultural activities.

9 Experience of liaison and communication with the governmental structures in Poland and understanding of up to date Polish law and policy affecting the Polish community in Northern Ireland.

10 Able to communicate effectively in English and Polish

11 Ability and experience of writing reports and other documents in English and Polish

12 Experience of undertaking and completing monitoring and evaluation processes in relation to funding secured.

13 The ability work effectively in a multi-cultural team

14 The ability to self manage multiple demands and to work in a systematic way

15 Ability to operate Windows based packages including word processing packages 16 a demonstrable commitment to the principles of Equal Opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice

17 An understanding of impartiality and confidentiality

18 a commitment to, and an understanding of the work of the work of the Polish Association.

2.3 Centre for Global Education, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer, deadline Tuesday 3^rd June

The Centre for Global Education invites applications for the position of:Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer

(£30,000 per annum, Three Years fixed term contract, Full-Time)

 This post has been established as part of a Centre for Global Education project supported by the Department for International Development (DFID - the British government department responsible for overseas aid and development education).  The main aim of the project is to create capacity in development education within the Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) sector in Northern Ireland.   The project will be delivered in partnership with the BME sector and will strengthen the development education practice of BME organisations.  More specifically the project aims to support:·         ·         the introduction of a new accredited training course in development education to BME workers;·         ·         the provision of post-course mentoring to course participants;·         ·         the organisation of an annual conference to support the sharing of good practice in development education by BME organizations;·         ·         the development of a new web site that will support all aspects of project delivery. The DFID initiative has been supported on the back of a project delivered by the Centre in 2007 involving research that aimed to identify the level of development education practice in the BME sector and the factors that impeded BME groups from delivering development education.  As part of the small project, the Centre organised a seminar on development education in the black and ethnic sector which concluded that a more sustained and integrated mechanism of support was needed for the sector that combined capacity-building with development education content and methodologies.   Essential Criteria

·         ·         A working knowledge of the Black and Minority Ethnic sector in Northern Ireland;

·         ·         Experience in organizing, promoting and delivering training workshops;

·         ·         Previous experience in project management and delivery;

·         ·         A proven knowledge or background in development education / international development issues;

·         ·         Experience in providing professional guidance and support to learners;

·         ·         Proven organizational and communication skills both oral and written;

·         ·         Computer skills commensurate with the production of reports and articles.

Applications must be returned by post by: Tuesday, 3 June 2007 at 5.00pm

2.4 STEP Job Vacancies, deadline Friday 06 June

Ground breaking work needs ground breaking peopleSTEP is currently seeking to recruit the following new members to their strategic development project supporting rights based integration for migrant workers and their families in N. Ireland.   These full-time positions are offered as three-four year contracts with a comprehensive employment package aimed at attracting and retaining the highest quality applicants.   

Research and Policy Worker             £28,180 (NJC pt. 35)

Network Facilitator                            £25,165 (NJC pt.30)

Project Development Worker            £22,675 (NJC pt. 27)

 The positions will be based at their Dungannon office. 

Closing date for applications: 1.00 p.m.  Friday 06 June 2008 

Interviews will be arranged within the week beginning Monday: 16^th June 2008

2.5 Foundation Degree in Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations, information evening Wednesday 28 May

The University of Leicester offers a part time foundation degree in Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations by distance learning. The course explores the setting up and effective management of voluntary organisations and enhances career prospects within a community context. What makes this course particularly successful is that it is delivered by people with hands on experience of the sector.

An information session for this course is being held on

Belfast, at 10.00am.

If you would like to find out more about this foundation degree please come along and talk to the course director who will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

2.6 Northern Visions Community Media School, courses, 16-20^th June

Free 5-day intensive and practical school in television production including interviewing, presenting, studio production, location filming and post production.  This course is designed to enhance the publicity of any voluntary or community organisation, involved in developing good community relations, through producing its own video reports.   Criteria - You must be available each day from Monday 16th-Friday 20th June 2008 10.00 am - 5.00 pm Closing date  for registration: Thursday 5th JUNE 2008 5.00 pm 

2.7 Migrant Worker Support Network, workshop on employment rights, Friday 20^th June

3. Information / Other

3.1 Your Rights at Work – pocket guide for Migrant workers

Your Rights at Work is a pocket-sized, concise introduction to employment and equality legislation in Northern Ireland, produced jointly by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Equality Commission. It is aimed primarily at migrant workers who upon starting work in this country are often unaware of their rights and entitlements. It is now available in the following languages: English, Polish, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Slovak, Russian and Chinese.

3.2 Migrant Workers guide - Your Rights in Northern Ireland Updated

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, in partnership with Law Centre (NI), has launched the second edition of a series of invaluable guides to help Migrant Workers secure their rights in Northern Ireland.

Your Rights in Northern Ireland: A Guide for Migrant Workers provides information to assist Migrant Workers in understanding their rights and entitlements on a range of issues including housing, employment, education and social protection.

The second edition incorporates changes in the law that have taken place since the guides were first published. Guides are available in English, Portuguese, Tetum (Timorese), Polish, Russian, Lithuanian, Latvian, Chinese and Slovakian and are available to download at the websites of both organizations:

 3.3 Immigrant Council of Ireland – Migrant workers factsheetsThe Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) has recently updated its Factsheet series on Rights and Entitlements for Migrants in Ireland.  The factsheets cover the following topics: 1.       International Students 2.       Family Reunification 3.       Leave to Remain 4.       Long Term Residency and Citizenship  They are available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese and Russian. 

3.4 Translink that the Senior Smartpass

Translink Senior Smartpass for the over 60s will be in use from the 1^st Oct 2008. Application forms will be available from bus and train stations from 23^rd June 2008.