This year Nasc has invited Cork City Councillors to attend three workshops for their speakers’ panel group during September. I have chosen to get stuck in and involved. The workshops attempt to raise awarenesss of immigrant issues especially around integration into our society. In addition, in the first workshop I learned a huge amount on why immigrants come to Ireland. I was particularly taken back by the harrowing outcomes of civil war in Nigeria.

Nasc, the Irish Immigrant Support Centre, is a Cork-based non-Governmental organisation that seeks to respond to the needs of immigrants in the Cork area.

Nasc’s mission is:

· To develop outreach programmes with asylum seekers, refugees and
immigrants in the Cork area;
· In consultation with asylum-seekers, refugees and immigrants, to identify
and implement a range of voluntary services;
· To liaise with relevant official and voluntary bodies in the Cork and
Munster region;
· To develop anti-racism education programmes, campaigns and initiatives;
· To participate in discussion and policy formulation on issues relating to
asylum and immigration policy.

 For further info on Nasc click on www.nascireland.org