The Gaelic Athletic Association and sister Associations of Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football today hosted the National Inclusion Forum 2011 in Croke Park. The Forum sought to further the work of the GAA Inclusion and Integration Office in introducing people from minority groups and non-traditional GAA communities to the family of Gaelic Games. The day-long event was attended by Minister of Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, in addition to approximately 120 GAA and minority group representatives, community leaders, policy makers and those working in the areas of Integration and Inclusion in Ireland.
The key note address that set the agenda for the National Inclusion Forum was presented by Cormac Russell of the Asset Based Community Development Institute of North Western University of Chicago. Cormac Russell outlined the new Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach to building stronger communities. The approach seeks to remove the focus of community development from monetary investment and reliance on external resources, by empowering those within the communities to work through and solve their own problems. He encouraged the GAA and National Inclusion Forum participants to follow this model when exploring possibilities and planning for tangible change in the areas of Inclusion and Integration, in and through Gaelic Games.
As a result of the National Inclusion Forum 2011 the GAA National Inclusion Office will publish a report detailing specific recommendations to broaden participation in Gaelic Games and GAA Clubs around the country. The report will focus on ways to increase inclusion of: people with disabilities and disabling conditions, people from the Travelling community, Ethnic minorities, those from non-traditional GAA Communities and people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
“The definition of resources extends past externally provided ‘money’ and ‘services’ to encompass people, their families and their communities, once they have been empowered to help themselves,” said Minister for Social Inclusion, Joan Burton, TD. “It is a credit to the GAA and the family of Gaelic Games that they are embracing this approach to further the successful work in the areas of Integration and Inclusion. By reaching out to include people from minority groups and those with a disability, the GAA is not only helping those people feel more included in Irish society but is also helping develop stronger communities.”
“By creating equality of opportunity and outcome, and fostering understanding and respect within the GAA through the Integration and Inclusion office, the GAA will benefit from increased participation, on-going relevance to peoples’ everyday lives and maintenance of its position at the heart of Irish society as a whole,” said Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana. “The Forum looks to build on the hard work undertaken by the Integration and Inclusion Officer, Tony Watene and the GAA Inclusion and Integration Committees in championing the cause to ensure that all people are warmly welcomed into the Gaelic games fold now and into the future.”
Established in 2009 the GAA National Inclusion and Integration Office and voluntary committee, aim to include people from minority groups and non-traditional GAA communities in Gaelic Games. These include people from different ethnic groups and the travelling community, people with disabilities or disabling conditions and those challenged by disadvantaged backgrounds.