Mahon CDP Equality Initiative

Background to the Anti Racist / Anti Discrimination Initiative

Mahon Community Development Project’s Anti-racist/anti-discrimination initiative (which was funded through the Department of Community, Rural and the Gaeltacht Affairs enhanced funding scheme) was established in 2000.

A full time community development worker was employed for this initiative.

The project has undertaken work with Travellers and People with Disabilities since 1992.

A decision was taken to broaden this work to look at the whole area of anti-racism and equality especially with the emergence of a more multi-cultural society through Refugees and Asylum seekers, which is receiving much negativity, and with the introduction of the Equality Legislation.

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Some of the Achievements of Past Years of Mahon Community Development Project

Travellers

Supported young women’s groups since 1992

Supported Traveller men’s group from 1998-2001

Supported the establishment of new Traveller men’s group

Involved in joint ventures with the Traveller Visibility Group

Currently participating in Citywide Traveller Accommodation Forum.

Undertook training/workshops with youth workers i.e. Traveller Culture.

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People with Disabilities

Art Therapy Course for People with Disabilities.

Helped set up wheelchair accessible Taxi service

Assisted in the setting up of the Independent Living Centre

Successfully lobbied Bus Eireann, Kent Station and Cork City Council for access for People with Disabilities.

Representation on the Irish Council of People with Disabilities, the Cork City Network.

Representation on the monitoring group for the Disability Information Officer of the Cork City Partnership.

Successfully consulted with Mahon Community Association re: installation of a lift in the new community centre.

A presentation was made to the National Rehabilitation Board in Dublin which resulted in changes in their structure for disability.

Involved in the formation of the Disability Interest Group with the Cork City Partnership and the Irish Council of People with Disabilities.

Participated in research project on promoting Interchange between Development Education and Community Development.

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Some Recent Achievements of Mahon Community Development Project

Young People In-School

During 2002 Anti-racist/anti-discrimination workshops have been taking place locally with transition year students in two secondary schools and fifth and sixth class in one primary school.

Guest speakers have also been invited in to talk about Refugees and Asylum seekers and another on the area of disability.

Local youth workers are also involved in the delivery of these workshops. This entails planning and sharing the resources and skills needed for such workshops.

Hopefully this transfer of learning will pave the way for future work.

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Youth Programmes

The Summer Programme 2002. took place for the month of July. An anti-racist module was developed and implemented.

Prior to the summer programme training took place with the youth workers to familiarize themselves with the module.

The age range of young people who participated in these workshops was from 8 –18years.

Approximately 200 young people participated in the workshops.

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Mahon Equality Group

The Mahon Equality Group was established, at the request of the people in January 2003, as a result of the Anti-Discrimination work undertaken by Mahon CDP in the local schools during 2002.

Benefits for members of being involved in the Mahon Equality Group for participants

Group participants gained in confidence and awareness to be able to deliver presentations both in Cardiff and Cork regarding discrimination issues.

The young participants gained video making, script writing and acting skills. One participant was targeted by University College Cork to attend Drama Music Workshop as a result of skills gained from the Youth Exchange.

The group's anti-racist video was screened to a large local and citywide audience. There was a positive response and press coverage to the video.

As a teaching tool, copies of the video was requested by the Cork City Childcare Committee and Cork County Secondary Schools Education Curriculum Team.

Click here to read more on the Mahon Equality Group

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For Further Information on Mahon Equality Group

Telephone: 00 353 21-4359070

Contact Mahon CDP