Celebration of Cultural Diversity in the Year of Creativity and Innovation
Back to List22/04/2009
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 22nd April 2009
On the 29th April South Dublin County Council will host a Seminar in Red South Dublin Arts Centre. It is supported by the Dodder Valley (Tallaght) Partnership, CPLN Partnership, Tallaght Intercultural Action and Clondalkin Intercultural Centre.
This seminar will examine and explore the themes of Cultural Diversity, connecting and preserving cultures and how this can contribute positively and innovatively to the social fabric of South Dublin County and its citizens.
One of the objectives of The European Year of Creativity and Innovation is to raise awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation for personal, social and economic development, to disseminate good practices, stimulate education and research, and promote policy debate and development.
Over the years, Ireland has more often seen people leave its shores to seek employment and a new life overseas. Most Irish families have a relative abroad. However, with our economic success of the last fifteen years, this trend has been reversed and Ireland has opened its doors to migrants from all over the world.
If Ireland was never entirely mono-cultural, there would not have been a great awareness of cultural diversity, nor would such diversity necessarily have been recognized as positive and healthy aspect of a society. A culture by definition is never static; it is constantly changing through different influences.
Ireland has always been home to various ethnic minorities. These cultures find expression through their music, literature, arts and crafts, and in doing so, highlight the simple truth - that people have far more in common with each other than those things which separate them. Diversity can clearly be strength and can contribute not only to the human capital of a county but can also create a cultural county. Cultural diversity is something to be celebrated, not feared, to be enjoyed, not concealed.
The programme of events is as follows:
9.30am: Recital by Archbishop Ryan National School Multicultural Choir
9.40am: Official Opening of Event by Mayor Marie Corr
9.50am: Presentation by Gerry Horan, South Dublin Arts Office
9.55am: Presentation by Social Inclusion Unit
10.00am: Guest Speaker Des Tomlinson, Intercultural Officer, FAI
10.10am: Performance by Clondalkin Intercultural Centre Choir Tea and coffee served
10.30 am: World Caf Discussion on Cultural Diversity (Please note all suggestions and ideas may be used in the Social Inclusion Work Plan towards integration).
12.30pm: Brazilian Guitarist Stephano Velozo
12.45 pm: Performance Comprising of both Song and Dance by Holy Rosary National School, Ballycragh
1.00pm: Light Lunch will be served
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT MARIA FINN, SOCIAL INCLUSION OFFICER COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL OR SANDRA HICKEY STAFF OFFICER.
Tel: 086 3803060/01 4149270
Email: mfinn@sdublincoco.ie or shickey@sdublincoco.ie