Dublin City PPN is delighted to be part of the newly established Community Integration Forum (CIF), which held its inaugural meeting on September 15th. The Forum has been created by the Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT), coordinated by Reuben Hambakachere, to provide a space where communities, the local authority, and other stakeholders can come together to strengthen integration work across Dublin City.
The first meeting of the CIF was a really positive start.
It was encouraging to see so many people representing different groups, organisations, and communities come together with a shared purpose – to make Dublin a more inclusive, welcoming city for all. The discussion on the draft Terms of Reference was thoughtful and engaging, helping to lay the foundations for how the Forum will operate and how its members will collaborate into the future. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray Adams, warmly wished the group every success.
For Dublin City PPN, involvement in the CIF is an important opportunity to bring the voices of our member groups to the table. Our network is made up of a wide range of community and voluntary organisations, many of whom are directly engaged in supporting migrants, new communities, and minority groups. The CIF provides a valuable platform to ensure those voices are heard in decision-making and that the lived experiences of our members help shape integration policy and practice.
We would particularly like to thank Narankhuu Moondoi, who attended the meeting on behalf of our Migrant and Minority Thematic Group (MTG). The MTG has long worked to highlight the contributions migrants and minority communities make to our city, while also pointing to the challenges many still face. Their active participation in the CIF means these perspectives will be part of the Forum’s ongoing work.
This dual focus, which celebrates the richness that diversity brings to Dublin, while also being honest about the barriers that remain, is of course, is essential. Access to housing, healthcare, education, and employment, alongside the need to tackle discrimination and exclusion, are all areas where integration efforts must continue. The CIF gives us a shared space to address these issues collaboratively, while also recognising and celebrating the positive initiatives and cultural contributions that strengthen our communities.
The spirit of the inaugural meeting was one of partnership and shared commitment.
It showed the potential of the CIF to become a dynamic and constructive space where real progress can be made. Dublin City PPN looks forward to contributing actively, and to building on this strong start in collaboration with our colleagues across the city.
We extend our thanks to Reuben Hambakachere and Dublin City Council colleagues for their work in establishing the Forum, and we look forward to the journey ahead.