From October 1st, Zéphyrin Ngaliema Mukoko will join the Dublin City Joint Policing Committee, representing the migrant community.
He works for The Integration Centre, which was selected from 6 bodies who applied when the position was advertised, to have a representative on the Joint Policing Committee. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p>Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre said "The Integration Centre campaigns for the greater integration of migrants through the opening up of <_st13a_country-region _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_place _w3a_st="on">Ireland’s political and social infrastructure. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p>"Last year we produced a paper called Roadmap to Integration 2011 and it detailed40 blockages to the social inclusion of immigrants but also threw up 80 solutions to overcome this. The opening up of state bodies, such as the joint policing Committees was just one of these solutions. We presented the report to the JPC who decided that a migrant body representative should be invited onto the Committee.” <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p>Zéphyrin is a qualified solicitor from the Democratic Republic of Congo who came to <_st13a_country-region _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_place _w3a_st="on">Ireland in 2006. He volunteered in the community sector and worked with migrants for a number of years, before going full time with The Integration Centre. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p>He was on the Bar of the International Criminal Court in 2003. His work in <_st13a_country-region _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_place _w3a_st="on">Ireland has helped hundreds of immigrant’s get their legal rights around Citizenship and Family Reunification. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p>Zéphyrin comments "I look forward to sharing my personal experience and my experience in the migrant sector with the Joint Policing Committee. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p>"As a citizen, the structures of the <_st13a_place _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_placename _w3a_st="on">Irish<_st13a_placetype _w3a_st="on">State and their ability to relate to all citizens are very important to me. I take this opportunity very seriously. Hopefully, I can help to make a real difference, by both highlighting migrant specific issues and being a role model to others. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p>"I hope that by my being on this Committee will help to further the strong and worthwhile relationship between the Gardaí and the migrant community” <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p> Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, who has responsibility for policing in <_st13a_city _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_place _w3a_st="on">Dublin, welcomed the appointment of Zéphyrin Ngaliema Mukoko and looks forward to working closely with him. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p> The Assistant Commissioner said "Through the Joint Policing Committee structures it is hoped to further develop the already positive working relationship with An Garda Síochána in integrating all communities throughout the city. <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p> "The most recent conference on 2nd generation integration is but one example of the great work ongoing in this area. In addition our Garda Ethnic Liaison Officers are in place throughout <_st13a_city _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_place _w3a_st="on">Dublin and have specific responsibility for working with all such communities.” <_o3a_p>
<_o3a_p> A photograph from today’s photo call is available on request from the Garda Press Office pressoffice@garda.ie
To see more pictures, please click here
