The first ever Strategy for Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion for County Donegal was launched on Friday 25th March 2022.
Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray, and Nolunga Shologu, Community Links Worker with Donegal Intercultural Platform, were at the head of the launch Strategy.
This Strategy is the result of a two-year process that began with research by Donegal Intercultural Platform into the needs of Black and Minority Ethnic communities in the county.
This was followed by the establishment of a multi-agency steering committee to develop a Strategy that would identify actions to deliver on the identified needs.
Speaking as he launched the Strategy, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray said:
“Donegal has changed radically within one generation, the 2016 census indicated that 7.2% of the population of the county, or 11,477 people were born outside the state.
“When we carry out our census on the 3 April, I fully expect that that percentage will have increased, and also that we will have people living with us from even more countries around the world.
Cathaoirleach Jack Murray speaking at the Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny.
“The vision of the Strategy for Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion for County Donegal is the achievement of equality for Black and Minority Ethnic communities in County Donegal through securing their active inclusion in the community and full participation in the wider society.
“To achieve that vision the Strategy contains 47 actions with a capacity to realise the positive potential in an intercultural county. In this, it builds on a track record on initiatives across all sectors and agencies, and on a leadership and drive from across the Black and Minority Ethnic communities in the county.
Speaking on behalf of Donegal Intercultural Platform, Nolunga Shologu, Community Links Worker with the Platform, noted that that the name of our county – Donegal – comes from the Gaeilge for the Fort of the Foreigners.
Nolunga Shologu Community Links Worker with Donegal Intercultural Platform speaking at the Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny.
Nolunga encouraged everyone to use this inclusion strategy, through its implementation, to make Donegal a Fortress of Safety, Care, Recognition and Community for everyone who lives here irrespective of their colour, their ethnicity, their faith or mother tongue, their ability, gender or their status.
The strategy is now available to view or download on Donegal County Council website link here: Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion.pdf (donegalcoco.ie)
Pictured at Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny, are front row (l-r) Nolunga Shologu Community Links Worker with Donegal Intercultural Platform, Cathaoirleach Jack Murray , A’alya Mustapha .Back Row (l-r) Billy Banda,Chief Executive John McLaughlin Donegal County Council, Thoiba Ahmes Co-Chairperson of Donegal Intercutural Project, Liam Ward Director of Planning and Community Development, Donegal County Council
Pictured at the Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny, are front row (l-r) Thoiba Ahmes Co-Chairperson of Donegal Intercutural Project, Nolunga Shologu Community Links Worker with Donegal Intercultural Platform, Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council Jack Murray, Paul Kernan Project Coordinator at Donegal Intercultural Platform CDP, Denise McCool IDP ,Back row (l-r) Padraic Fingleton CEO ,DLDC, Billy Banda, Charles Sweeney Donegal County Council, Liam Ward Director of Planning and Community Development, Donegal County Council, Traolach O’Fionnain
Pictured launching the Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny, are (l-r) Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council Jack Murray , Thoiba Ahmes Co-Chairperson of Donegal Intercutural Project, Nolunga Shologu Community Links Worker with Donegal Intercultural Platform, and Chief Executive , Donegal County Council John McLaughlin.
A’alya Mustapha pictured playing at Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny.
Chief Executive John McLaughlin Donegal County Council speaking at the Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny.
Billy Banda speaking at the Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny.
Liam Ward Director of Planning and Community Development, Donegal County Council speaking at theBlack and Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy Launch in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny.
Members of the Donegal Intercultural Platform pictured at the launch of the Minority Ethnic Inclusion Strategy in An Grianan Theatre , Letterkenny along with Liam Ward Director of Planning and Community Development, Donegal County Council, Chief Executive , Donegal County Council John McLaughlin. Cathaoirleach Donegal County Council Jack Murray, Paddy Doherty ,Donegal County Council and Padraic Fingleton CEO ,DLDC
