This event is organised by the IASW Anti-Racism Advisory Group. 

Recent far right, anti-migrant and racist riots, both in Ireland and in the U.K., have raised increasing concerns over the safety of ethnic minorities everywhere. When a person’s identity is always on full display, how can they feel safe in the current climate?

Social workers often work with ethnic minorities who feel this fear and unsafety, and who have been deeply affected by it. However, many social workers are also living this reality, as they are also from ethnic minorities. It is fundamental that these practitioners’ experiences and fears are understood and validated.

This event will deepen social workers’ understanding of the current climate and encourage action. Social workers will be encouraged to reflect on the systemic racism that both their colleagues and clients face, and how they can support them. We hope that social workers taking this CPD will gain the awareness, knowledge and tools to promote change within their workplaces, support their ethnic minority colleagues, and better support ethnic minorities they work with.

Learning Outcomes

• To understand how misinformation is feeding the recent far-right, anti-migrant and racist violence riots in Ireland and the UK.
• Develop an in depth understanding of the intersectionality of racism, islamophobia and xenophobia.
• To recognise and acknowledge concerns over the safety of social workers of ethnic minorities in racism and hostile environments.
• For social workers to learn to support their colleagues and people they work with from ethnic minorities.
• Develop the knowledge and tools to build an inclusive, supportive, and critical work environment that recognises racism as a systemic issue that affects social workers, the people they work with, and their workplaces.
• To show solidarity, support diversity and social justice values inherent to social work.

Programme

8.30am: Registration 

9.00am: Welcome to the event and First Speaker Introduction

9.10am: First speaker (Diane Ihirwe)

Theme: "Refocusing Responsibility: Safeguarding Ethnic Minorities and Tackling Systemic Inequalities in Social Work Practice and Service Delivery."

10.00am: Second Speaker Introduction

10.05am: Second Speaker (Karima Abbes)

Theme: Anti oppressive practices: 'Working with minority families with disabilities' and 'Social Work and Islamophobia'

10.35 to 11am: Break

11.00am: Third speaker introduction

11.05am: Third Speaker (Kerry Cuskelly)

Theme: “Together we stand” - The Responsibility of Allies in Building Inclusive, Supportive and Critically Reflective Spaces in Social Work. 

11.50 to 12.10 pm: Panel discussion and QA session with the three speakers and a member of the ARAG

12.10 noon to 1.00pm AGM (chaired by Nisarg) 

Speaker Biographies

Diane Ihirwe 

Diane Ihirwe is a social worker with extensive experience in child and family services. She has worked with Tusla, the Child's and Family Agency in the Children in Care Team , and is currently working as a Senior Community-Based Protection Associate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Diane is a dedicated lifelong learner who has also contributed to academia, lecturing on social care  and social work topics at Maynooth University and the Technical University of Dublin. She has made contributions to various publications, including books, articles, and think pieces, and has represented Ireland in international forums such as the Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)  in Geneva.

Passionate about social justice, Diane is committed to promoting equality and combating racism. She believes in the transformative power of education and is devoted to raising awareness and fostering meaningful conversations about race, racism, and their profound societal impacts.

Karima Abbes

Karima Abbes is a graduate of the UCD Masters of Social Work programme, and currently works in a Children's Disability Network Team (CDNT) in Dublin. Her MSW dissertation examined the experiences of Muslim families involved child protection systems, and based on existing literature, examined best practice guidelines to support these families. Karima previously worked as a social care worker with Traveller families and in disability services. In her current role, Karima is passionate about supporting families from ethnic minority backgrounds with navigating and accessing the disability services their children require. Karima has a keen interest in intersectional diversity in the three core areas of social work: education, practice teaching and practice. Karima is actively involved in the Social Workers and Social Care Workers for Palestine group and she has a strong commitment to social justice and human rights.

Kerry Cuskelly
Kerry Cuskelly is a registered social worker and the CEO of Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service, a leading provider of frontline and support services to Travellers in Ireland since 1980. With over 20 years of experience in social services and advocacy, Kerry has been an activist for human rights, with a particular focus on issues affecting marginalized and minority groups. She has played a key role in numerous campaigns addressing social inequality, discrimination, and access to services, with and for communities. As a published author, she has contributed insights on social justice, human rights, and the experiences of marginalized communities. Kerry is committed to solidarity and allyship, working to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard and advocating for systemic change.