Lay Reader's Letter

Dear Friends

I attended a course recently in my work place entitled “Managing and Working in an Intercultural Environment.” I learned a great deal from it and I want to share with you some interesting facts.

It was recently estimated that there are over 170 different nationalities in Ireland. Such increased cultural diversity has been the result of a combination of factors:

  • Rapid economic expansion began in 1995 led to major labour shortages with 6250 work permits being issued in 1999 and 47,551 in 2003. The Enterprise Strategy Group Report (2004) estimates that the demand for new workers over the period to 2010 could be in the region of 420,000
  • New EU member states’ nationals who came to work in Ireland since May 2004 amount to 75,312 of which 35,800 are from Poland, 16,083 from Lithuania and 8,259 from Latvia. The economic prosperity of the Celtic Tiger increased Ireland’s attractiveness as a work destination for members of other EU states, as well as Irish emigrants who returned home in large numbers, many bringing intercultural families with them
  • Irish universities and English Language schools have begun recruiting from the People’s Republic of China with huge success. It is estimated that 7% of students at third level are from overseas and the long term target is to increase this to 20%
  • Numbers seeking asylum or refugee status in Ireland have risen dramatically over the past decade in 1999 there were 7,000 whereas in 2002 there were 11,634 from over 130 countries of which 893 were successful. Although these applicants are not permitted to work until their application has been approved we encounter them in our daily comings and goings

So where does this leave us? Well, cultural diversity is fast becoming a norm in all areas of life in Ireland. Even for those who have little interest in foreign cultures or with mixing with others culturally different from ourselves, we have no choice in the matter: it is a fact! But what it does mean is that we will need to require a new mindset and a repertoire of skills beyond those which we require for interacting within our own culture group. So we find ourselves facing new challenges which we have not necessarily been prepared for or trained to deal with. If we are going to conquer our fears and prejudices, then we will need to love, know and understand others.

Elsewhere in this issue, there is an article on “Communicating effectively with people from Africa”. In the next issues of Parish News, there will be further articles. Please do read them as it will help our understanding of others.

Yours in Christ

Robert

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