All EU states had to consider how to integrate refugees into their societies and a new project launched in Dublin yesterday could help show the way, according to the EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, Mr Padraig Flynn. Mr Flynn was speaking at the launch of Access Ireland, a refugee social integration project set up by the Refugee Council with support from FAS. Under the project, six refugees will be trained to help their communities obtain health and social services in Ireland. The project will also help in the training of service-providers.
"Unfortunately, no member-state is free from incidents of racism, small-mindedness and bigotry," Mr Flynn said. "European society works because it is multi-cultural. Its diversity is its strength - 370 million people are showing how they can live together. I reject the argument which says differences are the causes of social problems. That's a lie. Differences are a resource."
The Commission had dedicated £8 million a year for pilot actions on integrating refugees, and Access Ireland was one of the projects approved for funding. This funding would continue for a second year, he said.
Dr Yvon Luky, an asylum-seeker and expert in community medicine who works voluntarily with Access Ireland, said integration was a real need for refugees and asylum-seekers.
"They should be involved in the process. There are so many resources in the refugee community, and they want to do something. They need to be given opportunities, either paid or on a voluntary basis."