Tough-talking on asylum 'makes integration harder'
Politicians need to leave behind the inflammatory language blamed for creating fear over immigration, it was claimed today.
Robin Wilson, director of Democratic Dialogue, which works to improve race relations, said tough talking on asylum-seeking from leaders in Northern Ireland and the Republic made integration even harder.
Mr Wilson said hard-line attitudes and negative language should not be used when discussing refugees, ethnic diversity and immigration.
“If leaders north and south were able to give out the language that does positive things, that would make a difference. We need positive language,” he said.
Mr Wilson addressed the launch of a new report, Diversity, Civil Society and Social Change in Ireland, at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin on the problems facing immigrants on both sides of the border.
He said people living in the Republic were now facing up to the problem of what it meant to be Irish after the country’s first sustained period of immigration.
And in the north he said the growing levels of ethnic diversity would also create major challenges for the future.
Authors of the report recommended politicians seize the initiative and lead the way forward in improving and promoting integration and cultural diversity.
“The strengthened political will to seize the opportunity to lead in the areas of immigration, race equality and social justice nationally and in Europe is essential,” the report stated.
It noted the aspirations of ethnic groups, recorded during research, would never be met without a positive light being shone on far-reaching social change.
But the report also called on all opinion shapers, including the media, civil servants and community leaders, to be thoughtful, well-informed and constructive in their analysis and actions.
The report noted the need for immigrant groups to take steps themselves to improve integration and to fight for funding for new areas.
Researchers stressed the need to shift the debate on ethnic diversity from border control and the problem of racism to helping ethnic communities to develop.
They found striking differences in the way ethnic groups settled on either side of the border.
In Northern Ireland, despite many communities being settled for two generations, they have remained isolated and unnoticed.
“The polarising force of the Troubles has rendered them silenced and invisible for much of that time,” the report noted.
And in the south researchers stated the bulk of immigrants were only in the country for 10-15 years but they claimed this should not halt their progress into civic life.
The report called for immigrants and multi-ethnic groups to strengthen alliances, co-ordinationand partnerships with other organisations while encouraging volunteer action and fighting for funds.
