Sir, - I note that the political party leaders have signed a pre-election pledge on racism. We feel that not only should political parties make such a pledge, but that all institutuions especially educational ones, should do the same.
There is also the issue of putting a pledge into practice. Rights need to be actively promoted and people need to be informed and educated that ensuring equality of treatment in a diverse society enriches us all, especially on an island where there is an urgent need to accommodate the "new Irish" positively into an ever changing and evolving society.
Griffith College Dublin has focused on the international racism issue and is currently holding a Festival of Nations - its aim is to promote both awareness of racism and of the diversity of international culture through the medium of the arts.
Our college currently has 698 international students studying on campus - 399 Chinese students, 106 Indian, 36 Pakistani, 30 African, eight Middle-Eastern, five South American, and 114 students from other countries including Japan, Bulgaria, Russia, Norway and Indonesia. We believe that both staff (many of whom are international) and students are enriched by the experience of interacting in such a diverse learning environment. - Yours, etc.,
RONAN FENELON,
Director of Admissions
& Communications,
Griffith College,
Dublin 8.