Business leaders, civil society groups and academics joined together with Ballyhaunis Community residents to discuss issues related to diversity and inclusion at the Embracing Diversity seminar event covered by Changing Ireland. Minister of State David Stanton opened proceedings and Minister Michael Ring delivered remarks at the event held at the Connaught GAA Centre of Excellence.
Ballyhaunis is Ireland’s most ethnically diverse small town, and for the past 50 years it has been home to a diverse community of people from a migrant background who have integrated well with the Irish community. This cultural diversity is a source of pride in Ballyhaunis and is seen as a strength of the town, which has faced the challenges of rural depopulation and economic decline in recent years.
The event aims “to examine and chart what has been achieved in the area of intercultural integration in a small town, and develop recommendations for mapping an integrated future for the town and [for] towns of similar composition”.
Watch the seminar on Changing Ireland's YouTube page here:
A final report of the seminar can be accessed here:
