From Anecdotal to facts

1. Racist Incident Referral and Support Service Project#Project progress: June –September 2013By Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa

4. From Anecdotal to facts • Claire Gallagher Report about existence of racist incidents in Sligo • classified in 3 categories: • Access to public services: statutory and private including access to private rented accommodation • Community and housing estates: community friction … • Public places and in the Media.

5. As soon as the project was launched individuals started reporting to the project coordinator: 2 case on 17th June One extra case referred to ICI on the same day. 7 cases reported in July 6 Cases reported in August /September Facts: Based on Reported Incidents As soon as the project was launched individuals started reporting to the project coordinator: 2 case on 17th June One extra case referred to ICI on the same day. 7 cases reported in July 6 Cases reported in August /September

6. Key Findings • Community support • Interagency Group commitment • Project Relevance • Timely initiative • Racist incidents- Myth to reality • Services/ agencies collaboration and interests • Vital to sustaining diversity and equality agenda.

7. To date achievements • Successful launch • Created awareness/ cases • Media and Campaigns • Set up of Sligo Intercultural Forum • Interaction with Ocean FM • Support from the Gardaí • Training for contact support persons • Website and information pack • Creation of synergies • Publicity and awareness of the service

8. Strengths • Peace III Funding • Interagency Group contribution • Ethnic Minority Support • Phase and Face • Timely- Relevance • Publicity/Media • Space • Adaptability and synergies • Network with national organisations • Trust and confidence

9. Opportunities • Positive response from Sligo communities • Recognition • Ethnic Minority support • Expectations • Structures and administrative working basis • Momentum • Trained Contact Support Persons • Interagency Group and Lead Agency

10. Challenges • Timing • High Expectations • Work load • Casework vs setting up of the service • Paperwork and reporting vs time/work • Follow up on general cases vs defensive/dismissive services • Racism in the Irish Law • Uncertainty/ Planning

11. Weaknesses/post funding challenges • Resources- human and financial • Expectations- more cases • Keeping the momentum going • Follow up on existing cases • Ensuring continuity- phase-face and contact- recognition

12. When communication goes wrong

13. Fears…. Professionalism vs interns/volunteers: • Casework require skills, continuity, commitment …. • Face and space contact: Referrals and confidentiality, data protection, anonymity and follow up…. • Disappointment: waste of time, betrayal • ‘’Paper Service’’

14. After November 2013? Viability / Sustainability and continuity of the service

15. Upset Down Justice

16. Racist Incident Referral and Support Service Survival game

17. Viability Sustainability Continuity Support Momentum Preserving achievement Resources Phase and Face Community and agencies involvement Live up to expectations Project survival

18. Racist Incident Referral and Support Service : Selection Funnel What are the keyissues? Does the issue have high importance to people’s lives and peace building)?If yes Is the issue relevant to Sligo and needs to be addressed ?If yes Is it worth keeping the momentum ?If yes Are the achievements fundamental to sustain the service ?If yes Reporting IncidentsSupport and Referrals Awareness and creation a culture of racism zero tolerance Meeting expectations Preserving achievements keep the momentum Ensure Continuity of the service New inclusive and tolerant society Community interactionSligo Intercultural ForumDiversity policySupport victims racism ContinuityTrained Contact Support Persons.Support and Up skillingDatabasePolicy and lobbying Positive Diversity Root cause INTERAGENCY GROUP

19. Your contribution is required • Solutions: • Key Challenges: Meeting raised expectations in terms of continuity of professional support to victim and witnesses • Is your agency up to the task?

20. Collective Action How do we ensure sustainability and viability of Racist Incident Referral and Support Service post Peace III Funding? What can we do?

21. Racist Incident Referral and Support Service : Selection Funnel What are the keyissues? Does the issue have high importance to people’s lives and peace building)?If yes Is the issue relevant to Sligo and needs to be addressed ?If yes Is it worth keeping the momentum ?If yes Are the achievements fundamental to sustain the service ?If yes Reporting IncidentsSupport and Referrals Awareness and creation a culture of racism zero tolerance Meeting expectations Preserving achievements keep the momentum Ensure Continuity of the service Resources New inclusive and tolerant society Community interactionSligo Intercultural ForumDiversity policySupport victims racism ContinuityTrained Contact Support Persons.Support and Up skillingDatabasePolicy and lobbying Positive Diversity Root cause INTERAGENCY GROUP

22. . “ The 21st century illiteracy is not about those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn delearn and relearn.” Alvin Toffler

23. Thanks for listening Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa Racist Incident Referral and Support Service Project. ndalas.sfrc.rirs.coordinator@gmail.com http://www.incidentsrecording.com Phone :0719146315/0899696224