Migrant Worker Support Network: Values, Ethics and Purpose

Event date: 2 September 2009 - 1:00pm
Cost: Free to MWSN members; £10 non-members
Contact: Keelin Mc Gartland
Location: Community Relations Council Outreach Centre, Linen Green Centre, Dungannon BT71 7HB

Migrant Worker Support Network

The seminar series will commence with a discussion around values, ethics and purpose in the community development sector and the minority ethnic sector, led by Siobhan O'Donaghue, Director of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland. In part, this will be a policy discussion which will situate, inform and enhance discussions further in the series but it will also require people to reflect on their personal and organisational values and ethics.

The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission are launching an important investigation report, No Home from Home, in the Community Relations Council Outreach Offices, Linen Green, Dungannon on the same day, from 11.00am-12.00pm. The report examines the situation affecting homeless non-UK nationals in Northern Ireland who are excluded from accessing public funds.

In order to ensure that people have the opportunity to attend both of these important events, the MWSN seminar event will follow the NIHRC launch in the CRC Outreach Offices at the Linen Green. You are invited to attend both the launch and the MWSN Discussion event.

Issues for debate:

• personal  v organisational values and ethics;
• human rights framework v legislative framework;
• community development theory v survival;
• Are we agents of social change or government policy? 
• Challenges for the civic society:  community service provision or social change advocacy?   Can we balance the two?
• Accessible services and community service provision: is accessibility an add-on or integral to service design?

Who should attend?

While the discussion will have a strong focus on community development issues, the conversation will also draw on experiences and issues within the statutory sector. This discussion is important for all those working in the community and delivery of services to the community, and those who have an interest in human rights, social change and civil society, particularly in a climate of increasing vulnerability and decreasing resources.

If you would like to register for the MWSN event, please contact keelin@stepni.org or telephone 028 87 750211. RSVP by Wed 26th August. If you would like to attend the NIHRC launch event, conact Charlene.Craig@nihrc.org. RSVP by Fri 14th August.