JRS International Statement commemorating World Refugee Day, June 20th 2012

G20 summit, an opportunity for world leaders to put refugee hospitality at the heart of globalisation

In the midst of economic crisis, the fragile value of hospitality ought to be nurtured.

JRS Ireland announces that Integration Officer, Elizabeth O'Rourke has taken up a post with JRS East Africa in Kakuma Camp in North Western Kenya, working with The Jesuit Commons - Higher Education at the Margins (JC-HEM) project. 

Nicola Morris, also in the JRS Ireland Dublin Office, will be leaving at the end of March.  All of the staff at JRS Ireland wish both our colleagues well, and they will be missed.

JRS Ireland welcomes Kate Putney who has been appointed Communications and Projects Officer and Marta Hernandez who will be Projects Intern with JRS for the coming year. 

JRS Ireland has begun 2012 with a number of projects!

The computer class has started back on Friday mornings with students studying a variety of ECDL modules. Our wonderful tutor, Nicholas, helps each student to identify the best module to study, and ensures that they work at their own pace.

The homework club in Clondalkin reception centre is held 2 days a week with the help of an excellent team of volunteers.

Currently, JRS Ireland are also planning a series of capacity building classes and an integration project to be held in the coming months.

A new 36-page booklet addresses all aspects of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) advocacy, from day-to-day work to longer-term activities seeking to change policies nationally, regionally and globally.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a review of the human rights record of all UN Member States (192 countries) once every four years. Ireland’s evaluation is due this year and will be considered in October 2011. As part of this process, the UPR accepts submissions from organizations regarding the human rights record of the countries due for review.
Following is JRS Ireland’s UPR submission.

Thanks to Belvedere College SJ for their support of the JRS English Language Programme.

JRS Ireland has just finished a 7 week Integration Support Group which ran during April and May.  

 The Jesuit Refugee Service urges European Union states to establish effective mechanisms for sea rescue in the Mediterranean before more lives are needlessly lost.

The second Great Limerick Run took place on Sunday May 2nd, part of Limerick’s celebrations as European City of Sport.

The JRS Ireland Intercultural Easter Egg Hunt took place in Mountjoy Square Park on Easter Sunday, 24th April, from 1 – 3 pm.