A Chara, - The notion that State funding for anti-racism could subvert democracy (May 22nd) is to invert and misrepresent the fundamentals of civil society. Under binding international law there is an obligation on the Irish Government to support education programmes that combat prejudices and racial discrimination as set out in the recently ratified Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Additionally, a significant number of international instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Convention on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, set out the rights of all human beings to have access to such education programmes.
Society and democracy are built on principles such as freedom, respect, equality, justice, and non-discrimination. It is no coincidence then that development education seeks to promote understanding, knowledge and action in support of these same principles.
Development education, and anti-racism education are intrinsically and inextricably linked to the support of citizenship and democracy, and to suggest otherwise is folly. In fulfilment of its international obligations and national responsibilities our Government does make grants available to support development education from an anti-racism perspective through the National Committee for Development Education. Comhlamh is glad to be a recipient of these funds, and as a credible and effective organisation with a long track record in the delivery of development education we are confident that the NCDE is investing wisely by supporting our work.
The Government is also obliged to provide support for development workers who are returning to Ireland having served overseas with the Agency for Personal Service Overseas (APSO) and Irish development agencies. To this end the former chief executive of APSO encouraged the establishment of Comhlamh in 1975, and APSO has continued to work with Comhlamh to provide support for returned development workers since then. As an organisation of volunteer members we provide good value for money by running essential support programmes for the 300 development workers who come home each year, and at less than they would otherwise cost.
A core part of that support is the encouragement and facilitation of returned development workers who want to bring their experience and expertise to bear on society through education and advocacy for justice and development. Comhlamh's track record in this regard is unblemished, focussed and constructive. - Le meas,
Colm Cuanachain, Co-ordinator, Comhlamh, Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2.