20/10/2011
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Press Release
Social Inclusion Awareness Weeks
Monday 7th November to 21st November 2011
Mayor Caitríona Jones in the presence of Ms. Joan Burton T.D., Minister for Social Protection will officially launch South Dublin County Council Social Inclusion Awareness Week on Monday 7th November 2011 at 12.00 pm in County Hall, Tallaght. South Dublin County Council is working to minimise disadvantage and improve the quality of life for all residents in the County.
The aim of this week is to highlight the positive work carried out by South Dublin County Council and other agencies to reduce social exclusion and poverty, and to promote an understanding of social inclusion and diversity in the County.
Social Inclusion is the process which ensures that those at risk of poverty and social exclusion gain the opportunities and resources necessary to participate fully in economic, social and cultural life and to enjoy a standard of living and well-being that is considered normal in the society in which they live. (Joint Report by the Commission and the Council on Social Inclusion, Office for Official Publications of the European Union). South Dublin County Council plays a key role in the direct delivery of social inclusion actions, programmes and supports to the communities.
2011 is the European Year of Volunteering. It is a celebration of people who work in their communities during their free time without being paid for example in schools, hospitals and sports clubs. Social Inclusion Week provides us with the platform to highlight social inclusion initiatives and promote active citizenship. Social Inclusion is about creating a society where everyone experiences full and equal participation in all aspects of life. Social Inclusion is “Everyone’s Businessâ€.
During the week there will be a varied programme of events, including Celebration of Social Inclusion in the Civic Theatre, a Tea Dance for older people in the Red Cow Inn Clondalkin, Art Workshops in County Library Tallaght, the screening of the Sewing Room in County Library, Cookery Classes (how to cook on a budget), Indian Dancing Workshop, Launch of South Dublin Migrant Integration Forum, Social Media and Volunteering Workshop and much more. A detailed schedule for the Week has been developed and will be available on our website:
http://socialinclusion.southdublin.ie
Contact Person: Maria Finn, Social Inclusion Officer, Social Inclusion Unit, Community Services Department. Tel: 01 4149270/086 3803060 or email mfinn@sdublincoco.ie