Minister White launches Ireland’s first national “Intercultural Education Strategy”, 2010-2015

The Minister of State for Equality, Integration and Human Rights, Mary White TD, today launched Ireland’s first national Intercultural Education Strategy.

The Strategy, which has a five year lifespan, contains the ten key components and five high level goals of intercultural education, which form the basis of the Strategy’s implementation plan.

Based on the findings to emerge from the extensive research and consultations, a common plan has been proposed for all sectors of education.

Speaking at the launch of the strategy in Croke Park today Minister White outlined its aims.

‘Put learners at its core by respecting the diversity of values, beliefs, languages and traditions in Irish society and to assist educators, whatever their setting, in creating a learning environment where inclusion and integration within an intercultural learning environment become the norm.’

The Minister acknowledged the good practice already found across all sectors of education,

‘Through building on existing good practice and the experience and professionalism of our educators, I am confident that the aims of the Strategy can be achieved.’

The Minister stressed the importance of the Strategy not just for our immigrant but also for the host communities since 'Integration is a dynamic two way process and diversity is an asset that will enhance all our lives.'

Both communities are themselves very diverse as is evidenced by their different languages, cultures, membership of the Traveller community – to cite just a few.

The Minister concluded by noting the importance of being aware of our actions since, ‘The Strategy and its implementation are about thinking, planning and doing things somewhat differently, evolving best practice, conscious of diversity and the need to create intercultural learning environments.’ 

In her speech Minister White also thanked all of those present, many of whom were active participants in the development of the Strategy.

‘In our ever changing Irish society it is important that we take notice of how diversity is evolving and of how we are catering for the needs of all our students and educators.’

The Strategy is available on the websites of the Department of Education and Skills www.education.ie and the Office of the Minister for Integration.