THE WAY WE LEFT INTRODUCTION

By Lylian Fotabong

The first Africa Day conference to exceptionally hold in Mary Immaculate College took place on the 31st of May 2022 in Room T118 in the Tara Building in Mary Immaculate College, hereafter referred to as MIC. This was a tribute to the African Union and the unity of the African continent, which is recognised and celebrated annually on the 25th of May. The theme of the conference was “The Way We Left”. This was formulated to highlight some of the difficult decisions and treacherous ways which some Africans use to flee for safety. As well as underscoring this issue, the conference condemned the most recent crisis that have seen an unprecedented number of people escape for their lives, such as those fleeing the Russian-Ukraine war.

The conference was the first of its kind to hold in an academic institution to mark Africa Day in MIC and any other academic institution in Limerick. It explored a range of perspectives and insights in relation to culture, migration, integration, inclusion, and education. The presentations included a keynote speech on “The Way We Left”, a cultural look on What is in an African Name, an academic thesis on rearing of children in Nigeria and Ireland, and finally an emigration reflection on “The Way We Arrived”. It was attended by about 80 people from diverse backgrounds and agencies, but mainly by visiting students from Molloy College, New York. The conference was officially opened by Prof. Lorraine McIlrath, Inaugural Director of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) & Interculturalism in MIC. What was also special and unique was The Third Voice, a high quality interactive round table discussion segment (breakout sessions), which was moderated by a mixture of MIC students of African descent and representatives of human rights organisations. These discussions witnessed the generous participation of attendees and produced views and thoughts on how best we can listen to polarising sides in migration discourse with the goal to achieve better practice, inclusion, and equality of all people in Ireland.

The event was organised by Lylian Fotabong (PhD candidate in MIC), Florence Ajala (PhD candidate in MIC), Linda Kirwisa (Social Worker), Holly Cowman (Director of International Engagement in MIC) and Prof Lorraine McIlrath (Inaugural Director of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) & Interculturalism in MIC, and supported by Edel Foster (Manager of EDI), Ben Sweeney (Communications Executive in MIC), Doras (Human Rights NGO in Limerick) and Master Chef in MIC.

This report was designed and compiled by Lylian Fotabong, and with the help of Florence Ajala, Linda Kirwisa, Holly Cowman, Prof. Lorraine McIlrath, Dr John Lannon, Austine Umele, Edith Ike-Eboh and Trisha Rainsford. The report illustrates the presentations of all the speakers.