This site supports the work of EMBRACE in building a welcoming community by providing background information, details of EVENTS and ideas for response. Please browse through the pages and if you require further information, CONTACT US.

EMBRACE AGM & Spring Meeting 2013
This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the launch of EMBRACE. In recognition of reaching this point, the Spring Meeting will provide an overview of migration over the past 10 years and also consider what the possible future developments may be. The keynote address will be given by Dr Duncan Morrow. The event takes place on Thursday May 16th, from 6pm at Edgehill Theological College. This is an open meeting and all are most welcome. For further details please view our invitation here or contact us.

 Prayer

The May Prayer sheet is available to view and download here. This month the sheet considers our history of immigration and a biblical response of welcome and hospitality towards the stranger. Please use this resource to inform your prayers.
Prayer sheets from previous months can be accessed here.

Building understanding in Churches

If your church is interested in learning more about migrant people and ways in which the local church can build relationships, EMBRACE can offer talks, workshops and migration awareness training. Please contact EMBRACE Development Worker, Aneta Dabek for more information on 077313 78037 or email aneta@embraceni.org. A list of what EMBRACE can offer church groups is available to view here.
To read about recent workshops and training events see our news pages.

English Classes

Language competence is important in settling and participating in life in N Ireland. There are many opportunities to learn and improve English skills for people who do not speak English as their first language. A list of those currently being run in the greater Belfast area is available here. If you know of any other classes which are not listed please send the details to Aneta  aneta@embraceni.org. For EMBRACE resources to support learning English see our toolkit.

New Resources

News sheet Spring 2013
The latest EMBRACE news sheet is available to view and download here

Who’s Who? Who’s Here?
The 2013 edition of this leaflet which provides an overview of recent migration is available to view and download here. 

Information Sheets
EMBRACE has prepared a series of information sheets on aspects of migration
Opening our Eyes to the Reality of Human Trafficking
Migration and Us Revised Spring 2013
Refugee Issues Revised Spring 2013
Responding to Racism Revised Spring 2013

BUILDING A WELCOMING COMMUNITY

I was a stranger…

Northern Ireland is becoming richer in its diversity of culture and ethnicity as it becomes home to an increasing number of people from other countries. Some come seeking asylum, others to fill job vacancies or to study in our universities and colleges. There are also people from minority ethnic backgrounds who have always lived here. The needs of each are as individual as the experiences each person brings, but common to all is the desire to be safe and to know the acceptance of the local community.

and you made me welcome

EMBRACE seeks to equip the church to fulfil its call to welcome our new neighbours, by providing information, training, materials and channels for practical help. In doing this we seek to build a community which welcomes and respects diversity. See About Us for a fuller description of our activities.

On this site you will find information relating to the situation for people seeking asylum, refugees, migrant workers and people from resident minority ethnic backgrounds within Northern Ireland. There are also links to related sites. Please use our Contact Us link for further information or to comment on this site.

‘I was a stranger and you made me welcome’

Matthew 25:35

We have taken reasonable measures to check the accuracy of the information on this site and trust that it is useful. However, it is intended as a general summary of information and should not take the place of written law or regulations.

The inclusion of links to organisations in any section is not an endorsement of these groups. We cannot take responsibility for information contained on other websites.