Cork in Ireland welcomed
Global Champions that gathered for the Community Sponsorship Champions Summit,
that took place from 13-15 November 2019. The Community Sponsorship Champions
Summit, which was organised by the Global Refugee Sponsorship
Initiative in cooperation with Irish partners has been a
rejuvenating, revitalising and equally thought provoking event.
The launch of the
Community Sponsorship Ireland from pilot to full programme was the culmination
of a 3 days long summit, which brought opportunities to share, learn and take
stock. Opportunity to see the depth and breadth of work that has been done in countries
where Community Sponsorship has been around for some time. But also,
opportunity for those who are exploring the scheme.
David Stanton,
Minister of State at Department of Justice and Equality made a remarkable
speech at the official launch. The Minister, who is a great ally and champion
of Community Sponsorship, said “Community Sponsorship enables sponsor
groups to provide not only supports to refugees but also to extend hands of
friendship and a warm welcome to them. I
strongly urge communities the length and breadth of the country to get involved
in this programme. These community efforts create such a positive experience
for refugees coming to Ireland.” Minister Stanton also thanked what he
called ‘the critical friends’, who have come together to deliver this exciting
and impactful initiative. The Community Sponsorship Ireland launch event was a
great opportunity to bring government officials, Community Sponsors, Newcomers,
Civil Society Organisations, Community Groups and delegates from UK, Ireland, Spain,
Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Agrgentina, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, USA and Brazil.
The most
momentous moment of the launch event was having little girl, Eman Ahmad, who has
been able to demonstrate her painting skills, natural gifts and her generosity.
She brought beautiful and meaningful picture to give to the Minister and through
him to the people of Ireland. The day before the launch, Eman had also extended
her gifts in terms of paintings to Jennifer Bond,
Chair of The Global Refugee Sponsorship Initiative and Dennis Cole,
representative of Canadian Government. Eman is the future with lots of hopes,
aspirations and dreams. 
In her opening
remarks at the launch of Community Sponsorship Ireland, Fiona Finn, CEO of Nasc, the Migrant & Refugee Rights Centre, said
“Sponsoring a refugee family has been a transformative experience for
both refugees and the communities they become part of.”Although the Community Sponsorship Ireland launch was the culmination of the champions summit, lots happened from 13-15 November, thanks to a great organising by Janice Bothello and Irish partners. A visit to Midleton, East Cork and meetings with resettled families, sponsors and partners gave us chance to see the depth of the Irish Community Sponsorship initiative. We further had helpful discussions, workshops and brainstorming events with useful inputs from friends and experts of the Community Sponsorship scheme and beyond that gathered in Cork. Tim Dixon of More in Common and Lauren Rodman led on two engaging workshops. Tim Dixon said, “Community Sponsorship offers huge creative potential for powerful storytelling that unites people across the divisions of values and politics.”
The
Global Challenge needs Global Action
The Community Sponsorship
stories from around the globe tell us that coordinated action to address a
global challenge is possible. The stories give us chance to have trust and
confidence in the global community to address one of the biggest challenges of
our generation. They also give us hope. But we have more to do; and we can do better than this. The world
has to once again come together to find solutions that are global. Leadership
is sought from the International Community. CSOs, community groups,
universities, schools, businesses and others have to step up and step in. Time to say,
‘we are all in this together more than ever’ and respond to the global call
practically. Yes, it is now and only now that we have to have those bold, courageous
and life changing decisions.
At the same time,
it is vital to nurture the Refugee Sponsorship scheme that is available; invest
in capacity building and extend support to the most vulnerable people in our generation.
Governments need to pledge to act and deliver on their pledges. Civil society
should organise more, coordinate and lead by examples. Our institutions, faith
and non-faith have to show leadership beyond simple words. We need to Walk The Talk. Address anger and frustration by doing the right
thing now. To finish with a biblical reflection, “What good is it, my
brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can
such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and
daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,”
but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way,
faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” James
2:14-17
