The first ever Strategy for Black and Minority Ethnic Inclusion for County Donegal was launched by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Jack Murray, and Nolunga Shologu Community Links Worker with Donegal Intercultural Platform on Friday 25 March 2022.
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 that “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”
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, and she 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 below:
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