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Independent journalism publishers in Northern Ireland are helping to create “brave spaces where under-represented communities can control their own narratives”, according to Eileen Chan-Hu, diversity and inclusion expert and founder of CRAICNI.
Bookshelf in Newry. Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
Chan-Hu was part of an inspirational discussion led by migrant women, that saw many themes discussed to a full house at The Bookshelf in Newry on Thursday night past, 18 June.
The event 'Migrant Women Seen and Heard' was organised by independent news organisations VIEWdigital and Newry.ie as part of Indie News Week, an annual celebration of the importance of trustworthy independent local news which is organised by the Public Interest News Foundation. The event aims to raise awareness, build community connections and secure funds for independent journalism.
Speaking after the event Chan-Hu said: “My biggest takeaway from our discussion is that true inclusion isn't passive, it requires creating brave spaces where underrepresented communities can control their own narratives. In a world full of noise, listening to these lived experiences is how we build real empathy and how we together can change the narrative to a better society."
Indie News Week event at The Bookshelf in Newry. Included from left: Aisha Bakkar,
Una Murphy, VIEWdigital, organiser; Eileen Chan-Hu, CRAICNI; Sarah Henry,
Human Rights Advocacy and Research Officer, Human Rights Consortium; Columba
O'Hare, Newry.ie, organiser and Joanne Vance, Community Development & Health
Network.
Chan-Hu pointed out that because she was born in Belfast and has been here half a century she can sometimes feel a little bit uncomfortable with the term migrant. She added “We are women together, in solidarity, regardless of background, ethnicity or upbringing.”
The evening began with a short Warrenpoint based film showcasing the difficulties migrant women can experience with accessing healthcare. A discussion followed with panel members Eileen Chan-Hu, CRAICNI; Joanne Vance, Director, Community Development & Health Network; Aisha Bakkar, a schoolteacher from Syria, who now lives in Warrenpoint and Sarah Henry, the Human Rights Advocacy and Research Officer with the Human Rights Consortium.
Topics discussed along with healthcare included the type of language used when referring to people from other cultures, the school cultural diversity curriculum which is just being brought in here, the difficulty of integrating into the community and the importance of giving people the opportunity to learn about others. The riots in the north earlier this month were of course a concern for all.
Reavey, The Bookshelf and Una Murphy, VIEWdigital at the Migrant Women Seen
and Heard in Indie News Week event at The Bookshelf in Newry.
Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
A young attender at the event spoke of how a friend referred to her as "one of the good ones", a seemingly throwaway comment that poses many more questions than it answers.
Newry.ie and VIEWdigital are grateful to sponsors including the NUJ Belfast & District branch, Public Interest News Foundation and Community Development & Health Network for their support. A special thanks also goes to local family business, The Bookshelf who hosted the event.
Columba O'Hare of Newry.ie added: "I'd like to thank everyone involved in making this event a very special night for all, especially the panel and those who came along. Thanks also to The Bookshelf, and to Una Murphy from VIEWdigital for asking us to be part of it. I believe it marks the start of many new conversations in the Newry area and we at Newry.ie look forward to being involved in them."
