A group representing refugees in Ireland has won a major award in an international anti-racism contest organised as a highlight of European Year against Racism. The Association of Refugees in Ireland took second prize in the Prize of Europe contest, held in Vilanova, near Barcelona, at the weekend.
The group is to use the £7,000 prize to organise accommodation-and-job-finding services for refugees in Ireland. It also plans to organise multicultural events to bridge the divide between immigrants and Irish people.
The winning entry came from Bosnia-Herzegovina, and proposed a network of multi-ethnic youth clubs to bring Muslims, Serbs and Croats together.
The contest jury commended the Irish entry as the first ever initiative by refugees to help themselves. It noted that the Government does little to help refugees adjust to Irish society.
Mr Khalid Ibrahim, the association's founder, said he hoped the award would encourage the Government to provide funding for refugee services. Mr Ibrahim, an Iraqi Kurd who was granted refugee status in Ireland this year, also called for the implementation of the Refugee Act.
"It's vital for us to build bridges between refugees and asylum-seekers and the communities in which they are living. It is also important for refugees to come together to help ourselves."
Twelve nations participated in the contest, for national projects offering the best hope of combatting racism and xenophobia.
The jury commended the video with the Irish entry, by RTE producer, Ms Irene McCormick. It explained how Ireland had changed from being a country of emigration to one of immigration.
