The cultural benefits of immigration need to be recognised as well as the economic rewards, a rights body said today.
The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) said it wants to humanise the migration debate and show that individuals who come here have a contribution to make and a story to tell.
The ICI today unveiled The Richness Of Change, a series of short, personal films documenting the experiences of migrants who have fashioned a new life in Ireland. The event was held at the Royal Irish Academy in Dublin.
ICI chief executive Denise Charlton said it should not matter whether migrants are company chief executives or domestic workers, as they all have a contribution to make.
The event was also attended by President Mary McAleese, US-based expert on migration Dr Demetrios Papademetriou, and Ireland's first black mayor, Rotimi Adebari, from Portlaoise.
ICI founder and board member Sister Stanislaus Kennedy said Ireland is now recognising the importance of integration as an issue but much more needs to be done.
"The Government must set as a priority the development of effective integration policies, which are based on the principle of equality and fully acknowledge the cultural and social benefits of diversity," she said.