Athlone resident graduates from leadership programme for migrants

Athlone resident Lucy Alexia Dube was among a group of 26 migrants who were recently celebrated at an event in Dublin where they graduated from the Migrant Leadership Academy run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.

Lucy, a mother of four who came to Ireland in 2010, was one of 26 graduates from the programme which is aimed at increasing migrant representation in society.

In 2019 the Monksland resident published a book 'For You... With Love' under the pen name Alexia Press, and it was launched at an event in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel.

At the recent graduation event in EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin, Migrant Leadership Academy participants were presented with their certificates by Joe O'Brien, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Also in attendance were some of the political representatives who mentored migrant interns as part of the Migrant-Councillor Internship Scheme, including Mayor of Galway Colette Connolly, Dublin City Councillor Anne Feeney, Cork County Councillor Gearóid Murphy, and Leitrim County Councillor Sean McGowan.

Speaking about the graduation, Minister of State Joe O’Brien said he was honoured to have presented the 26 participants with their certificates.

"The work that the Immigrant Council does in promoting diversity and inclusion across all aspects of Irish life, especially politics, is important for an ever-changing Irish society.

"It's vital that those marginalised in society see themselves represented and have a voice in politics and the programmes being run by the Immigrant Council facilitate this," he said.

“Having previously worked in the area of migrant rights, I am passionate about creating a society that is welcoming to all. More than ever, Ireland needs an organised movement of migrants, refugees and allies to build a truly diverse and inclusive society.

"I look forward to seeing the graduates on a political stage in the future. With more migrant involvement in politics and in their local communities, we will see diversity in representation, and a truer reflection of the society we live in today," he concluded.