An anti-racism conference in Tipperary hears that the approach to services for Travellers is flawed.
The Tipperary Rural Travellers Project (TRTP) conference looked at anti-racist practices in Ireland and ways to end social exclusion for minority groups.
The keynote address was given by Inez McCormack, president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) and member of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission. She explains that racism comes in many forms. This includes good intentions behind decisions which have a negative impact. If people continue to be unable to access health and education that is racism.
A greater understanding of Traveller history and culture will result in improvements in services for Travellers. Michael McDonagh who represents Ireland on the World Council For Nomadic People believes this would change the current policy of rehabilitation and assimilation to one of,
Resourcing and maintaining an identity and culture.
President Mary McAleese also addressed the conference and visited the TRTP which operates from Knockanrawley Resource Centre. The president called for this to be the century which ends bigotry and division and gives way to a new adventure in consensus.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 February 2000. The reporter is Cathy Halloran.
