Joe Higgins
Ceist:25 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on forthcoming initiatives by the Government to combat racism. [9088/01]
Written Answers - Anti-Racism Measures.
Michael Noonan
Ceist:62 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will elaborate on the Government's policy on racism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9955/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 62 together.
As I informed the House on 22 March, to mark the occasion of the UN International Day Against Racism on 21 March, I issued a statement affirming the Government's determination to combat any tendency towards racism and racist acts and calling for support in creating a society which is devoid of prejudice and discrimination.
In February, I announced the composition of the high level steering group to implement the three year national anti-racism public awareness programme. The group had its first meeting recently and is working on a strategy for the implementation of the programme. The overall aim of the programme is to contribute to creating the conditions for building a more inclusive and intercultural society in Ireland where racism is effectively addressed and cultural diversity is valued.
The awareness programme will receive Government funding of £4.5 million over a three year period. This funding will enable the group to design and implement a comprehensive set of actions aimed at ensuring that racism does not gain a foothold in our society.
I also welcomed the large number of activities which had been organised to focus attention on the international day. These included an activity pack for schools entitled, Raising Awareness – Diversity and Racism, which was produced by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism in partnership with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. The activity pack is designed to provide ideas for those working with young people in schools or more informal education settings who are interested in exploring cultural diversity and raising awareness about racism. The pack is consistent with our preparations for the forthcoming public awareness programme against racism.
I also welcomed the initiative of the Garda racial and intercultural office in producing the Garda anti-racism training video entitled, Challenge It, the anti-racism week in third level colleges organised by the Union of Students in Ireland, and a football tournament between invited youth groups organised by Pavee Point traveller centre. Other highlights marking the occasion were special local radio programmes, concerts, open days and seminars. Unfortunately, some events had to be postponed due to the foot and mouth disease crisis.
To coincide with the occasion, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees launched a UNHCR video for primary schools. The video is available free of charge from the UNHCR office in Dublin. RTE also announced the expansion of its One World service. One World is a multi-cultural radio service, broadcasting on the medium wave band which reflects the ethnic diversity of refugees, asylum seekers and the immigrant communities in Ireland. It employs a number of reporters from those communities and provides news in different languages.
The results of the Eurobarometer 2000 survey were published recently. The survey was carried by the European monitoring centre on racism and xenophobia and it reported on attitudes towards minority groups and immigrants in the European Union. The survey was a follow up to a similar study carried out during the European Year Against Racism in 1997. The overall results show that in some ways attitudes in the EU have changed for the better. However, the results also indicate a negative development, that is, an increase in people worrying about unemployment, loss of social welfare and a drop in educational standards and who, at the same time, blame minorities for the changes. The results found that attitudes in Ireland towards minorities were similar to the attitudes of other Europeans. However, it also revealed, in the case of Ireland, that there was an increase in expressions of insecurity on account of minority groups.
In his statement of 21 March, the Taoiseach mentioned Ireland's ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. He also referred to our national preparations for the UN World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance. I will be attending the world conference in South Africa later this year.