Global Citizenship Team – Direct Provision Event Report

On the 17th of April, the Global Citizenship Team welcomed Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett, Cllr. Maurice Dockrell, activist and educator Katie Martin (Development Perspectives) and activist and asylum seeker Bulelani Mfaco for a panel discussion that was chaired by Edward Wilson and Darragh O’Kane (both Transition Year).

The event was a great success as the social justice issues surrounding the direct provision process were discussed in a way that clearly conveyed the complexity of the issue, the human rights infringement and the negative impact the process has on the human condition and society. Through enthusiastic and impassioned interviews with the guests, a variety of perspectives came into view. It was a great honour to host and hear the life experiences of Bulelani Mfaco, a South African asylum seeker and human rights activist. Hearing about the realities of life in Direct Provision and the context in which he was forced to flee his homeland brought the severity of the trauma into focus.

The students concluded the event by presenting Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett with two questions to be brought to the next Dáil session on behalf of the Blackrock College Global Citizenship Team. We hope to hear a response in the coming week.

Furthermore, a national petition was circulated in Transition Year to advocate for better living conditions and the upholding of human rights for those living in Direct Provision centers in Ireland.

We thank Ms. McGuire, Ms. Byrne, Mr. Maher and Mr. Keena for their leadership of our Global Citizenships Team.