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Minister Cannon opens the 2012 Adult Refugee Programme Art Exhibition
The Minister for Training and Skills, Ciarán Cannon TD, today opened the 2012 Adult Refugee Programme art exhibition, in the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway City.
The Adult Refugee Programme (ARP) provides English language and socialisation skills to help refugees to integrate into Irish society, and is co-ordinated by County Dublin Vocational Education Committee.
In 2011, over 600 refugees participated in the full-time (20 hours per week), one year programme, in 13 Vocational Education Committees (VECs) throughout the country.
The event this year is being led by County Mayo VEC, with an organising committee representing Mayo, Clare, Kerry, Limerick and City of Galway VECs.
The exhibition features art work created by participants from each of these five VECs, as well as fashion, musical, dance and dramatic performances and demonstrations on jewellery making and traditional tea making.
Opening the exhibition, Minister Cannon said, “I am delighted to be here at this special event, which shows how diverse Ireland is today.
“The APR is a fantastic way to help refugees settle into local communities and establish roots in Irish society.
“I want to acknowledge the hard work of the organisers, and wish the exhibitors the very best of luck in their new lives here in Ireland.”