The Cork City of Sanctuary (COS) movement is committed to making Cork a place of welcome, support and safety for Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants and persons of migrant origin, where diversity is recognised and celebrated.
Places of Sanctuary Ireland is a network of groups in towns, cities and local communities which share the objectives of promoting the integration, inclusion and welfare of refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, by encouraging every sector of society to make a practical commitment to becoming places of welcome and safety.
PoSI works through community groups, schools and colleges, churches, local councils, businesses and other organisations in the belief that these newcomers have a huge amount to offer Irish society. We want to ensure that their voices are heard and that their skills and talents are given an opportunity to flourish for their good and for that of Irish society as a whole. PoSI is not affiliated to any political or religious organisation, but is linked to the wider City of Sanctuary movement which was established in the UK in 2005 with a vision for making cities places that had a culture of welcome and inclusion, especially for those seeking sanctuary.
Cork City of Sanctuary Movement is a member of the Places of Sanctuary Ireland and it is comprised of all the stakeholders in the city which support or provide services to migrants or people of migrant origin and this includes many city agencies, organisations, community groups and particularly community representatives. The Cork City of Sanctuary Movement has developed a very inclusive and empowering model, where we actively encourage involvement of new communities. At the moment Cork City of Sanctuary Movement is putting together a plan of actions for 2018/2019. A Working Group and number of sub-groups, which are led by the different stakeholders, are leading these actions. The sub-groups are on Primary and Secondary Schools, Advocacy, Women, Further and Third Level Education, Arts and Culture, Research, Media and Communications, and others are emerging. Actions include, for example, the development of a primary school resource pack for Schools of Sanctuary or advocacy support to Asylum Seekers and Refugees, or workshops and events, such as one on ‘Engaging Migrants in Politics’.
The City of Sanctuary Movement sub-groups are open and anyone who is committed to take action is welcomed to join. For further information on how to get involved you can go to: https://cork.cityofsanctuary.org/ or e-mail cityofsanctuarycork@gmail.com
CITY OF SANCTUARY MOVEMENT STRATEGIC PLAN OF ACTION 2018-2020
