About Us
EMBRACE is an inter-church organisation, which began as a support group for refugees and people seeking asylum , but we now see our main role as one of encouraging church communities to make this a more welcoming place for all people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
It began informally in 2001 as individuals from different denominations became increasingly concerned about the difficulties facing refugees and people seeking asylum in this country. They wanted to do more than talk and were committed to finding a way of responding in a Gospel manner to the new strangers in our midst.
A focus group was formed which met with organisations such as NICEM, the Red Cross, the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Law Society as its members tried to educate themselves about the situation. It also hosted several seminars in St Clement’s retreat house in order to inform and to raise awareness of the local situation.
The next step was to contact interested people from the other Churches. Very quickly an inter-church committee was formed and from this EMBRACE was born.
The official launch of EMBRACE took place on 22nd October 2003 in the Wellington Park Hotel in Belfast. The Rev. Arlington Trotman, Secretary of the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Commission for Racial Justice, spoke at the launch, welcoming this initiative.
EMBRACE is a group of Christians who have come together to promote a positive response to minority ethnic people in Northern Ireland. We seek to equip the church to fulfil its call to welcome the stranger, by providing information, training, materials and channels for practical help.
EMBRACE seeks to:
- Reflect gospel values of compassion, hospitality and justice
- Raise awareness and provide information, resources and training
- Respond to those in need by acting as a channel for voluntary assistance
- Support people by human rights and welfare advocacy
- Network with relevant agencies and groups
- Make informed responses on issues of public policy
EMBRACE works in partnership with Edgehill Theological College Reconciliation and Integration Partnership Project. This project is funded in part by the European Regional Development Fund under the Peace III Programme.
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Edgehill Reconciliation Programme
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25: 35-36
EMBRACE facilitates others in responding to people who have practical needs. The group does not help people directly but networks with other specialist groups such as the Simon Community, Homeplus, the Welcome Centre, the Belfast-based Refugee Action Group (RAG) and the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (NICRAS).
June 2010: EMBRACE hosts events during the Belfast Inclusion Festival
The Inclusion Festival consists of a wide variety of events hosted by different organisations, held across Belfast during the month of June. This year EMBRACE hosted a Global Cafe at Willowfield Parish Church and a Voices Together Concert at City Church. The cafe provided an opportunity to discuss issues relating to migration whilst the concert celebrated the triumphant harmony of individual voices coming together. Thank you to all who participated, attended and contributed to the Emergency Fund at these events.
May 2010: EMBRACE Spring Meeting focuses on migrant destitution
The Spring Meeting, entitled Destitution & Migration: Who cares?, provided an opportunity to consider the reasons migrant people become destitute and how local agencies are responding. Maura McCallion of the Law Centre provided an overview of the legal and social situation, and Sandra Moore (pictured left) of the Welcome Organisation showed the implications of these through a powerful presentation of images and information on homeless people in Belfast. A time to reflect on how the situation could be addressed was followed by a challenge by former moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rt Rev John Dunlop, to overcome barriers of difference, notice and respond to people.
MAY 2010: EMBRACE Infomation Update booklet, Embracing Diversity, 2010 edition available.
The annual Information Update, Embracing Diversity, has been prepared as a means of informing people in N Ireland of the situation regarding people who come here from other countries and ideas for Christian response. The booklet includes background notes and information on legislation, statistics, accessing advice and assistance, recent developments and relevant published papers. Hard copies are available on request from our office and the document can be accessed online from the EMBRACE resources page of this site.
MAY 2010: EMBRACE Appoints Development Worker
Aneta Dabek, originally from Poland, was appointed Development Worker for EMBRACE. Aneta’s focus will be on building relationships with churches, to learn good practices of welcome and integration, and to share and encourage such initiatives with others.
February 2010: EMBRACE considers a Christian Response to Migration
EMBRACE looked at how churches might respond in welcome to migrant people in their locality at two Information Sharing evenings held in Belfast and in Ballymena. There was also information on EMBRACE’s involement with other groups and directly with Roma people and other vulnerable migrants, including people seeking asylum.
January 2010: EMBRACE hosts ‘Still a Place of Sanctuary’
In response to the UK Government’s consultation on changes to the asylum support system, EMBRACE invited interested parties to a morning discussion event. Liz Griffiths, Policy Officer at the Law Centre NI was the main speaker and provided information on the system and what the changes might mean.
January 2010: EMBRACE produces revised ‘Who’s who’ leaflet
A new revised edition of the flier ‘Who’s who? who’s here?’ has been prepared. The leaflet includes summary information on people seeking asylum and migrant workers. Hard copies are available free on request, and the flier can be downloaded from the EMBRACE resources page of this website.
EMBRACE would like to thank all who have made donations to the Emergency Fund following the racist attacks on Roma people in S Belfast in June 2009.
In the past this fund has been used to support a variety of needs where there was no recourse to public funds. These have included providing short-term hostel accommodation and flights home for destitute migrant workers, and food and accommodation for people seeking asylum. In every case there was no recourse to public funds and support was given through partner organisations.
During the crisis in June the Emergency Fund served as a channel of support for the Roma people. Much of the finance required to provide shelter and fund the return of those Roma who chose to go back to Romania, was given through the local Housing Executive, however further much needed support came from churches, church groups and individuals. We are grateful to all who have made it possible for us to help by donating to the Emergency Fund. The Fund continues to support Roma people where there is need and no other means of funding. At present we are assisting school pupils with provision of bus passes and uniforms.
If you would like to help, please download, complete and return the donation form here [PDF].
About
EMBRACE is a group of Christians working together to promote a positive response to people seeking asylum, refugees, migrant workers and minority ethnic people in Northern Ireland.
