Rights of Migrant Children, Sanctuary Schools and Penal Reform projects receiving strategic support from Community Foundation Ireland

Projects reflecting the ambitions and values of late South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela, have been announced by Community Foundation Ireland to coincide with world-wide events to mark his legacy.

Designated by the United Nations, Mandela Day (July 18th), celebrates the birthday of the global equality champion.

Community Foundation Ireland is using the opportunity to confirm its renewed partnership with three major projects which share its mission of ‘Equality For All In Thriving Communities.’

All three reflect the priority the former President placed on rights for children, migrants and people trapped in a cycle of imprisonment through poverty, mental health and addiction.

The partnerships are:

• The Irish Penal Reform Trust, building on an 8-year partnership, working towards the delivery of existing policy commitments in the 2022 Penal and Prison Reform Action Plan as well as identifying new measures. New research will focus on the over-representation of people with mental health and disability issues, those in poverty and addiction as well as early school-leavers within the prison population. The goal is to make imprisonment a penalty of last resort. (Funding €208,000 over 3 years)
   
• Growing Schools of Sanctuary. A national network of primary and secondary Schools of Sanctuary will reach every county through a partnership with the Sunflower Charitable Foundation working with Community Foundation Ireland. Each will operate as a beacon within communities by using education to increase awareness around inclusion. In addition, the entire school community of young people, parents and teachers will learn about the challenges facing families fleeing for their lives. (Funding €150,000 over 3 years)
   
• Protecting Migrant Children. The Children’s Law Centre (NI) is the only group in Northern Ireland providing free legal advice and advocacy to enable refugee and asylum children to access health, education and housing. Through this partnership, the Foundation will ensure that children’s rights are upheld across the island of Ireland. (Funding €35,000).

Announcing the projects, Denise Charlton, Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland said:

“As a philanthropic hub with a mission of Equality For All In Thriving Communities, Nelson Mandela Day has always held a special place for the Community Foundation, our supporters and partners.

We are answering the 2024 rallying call for the day ‘It’s In Your Hands’ by confirming the strengthening of partnerships which reflect those issues championed by the former South African President following his release from imprisonment on Robben Island.

Each will help transform thousands of lives. Each will advance our mission. Each will help realise the vision of Nelson Mandela when he told us ‘As long as poverty, injustice and gross inequality persist in our world, none of us can truly rest.’ It is a message which continues to resonate in Ireland of 2024.”