AkiDwA 10th Anniversary Celebrations

“AkiDwA: Transforming Ireland for a Decade”

12^th – 23^rd September 2011

This September our organisation, AkiDwA, a national network of migrant women living in Ireland, will celebrate our tenth anniversary.  AkiDwA, ‘Akina Dada wa Africa’, was established in August 2001 by seven African women to address the needs of an expanding population of African and migrant women residing in Ireland. Over the last decade, AkiDwA has grown into a national organization with a diverse membership, actively working in the area of gender based violence, employment and gender discrimination.

To mark our tenth anniversary and recognise the crucial work that individuals and organisations have played in our success, we have planned a programme of activities, between the dates of 12^th September and 23^rd September 2011, across the country (full programme of activities below). The planned workshops and seminars will address a variety of topics central to AkiDwA’s mission, one in which the rights of migrant women living in Ireland are respected and protected.

Our final event will be a fundraising and recognition dinner, on the 23rd of September, at which those who have supported AkiDwA’s mission of promoting equality and justice for migrant women, will be acknowledged and awarded a certificate of recognition. Tickets for this evening event are €70 per person and €650 per table of ten. Each ticket enters the individual into a draw; the top prize is a return flight for two to Mombasa, Kenya, proudly sponsored by Maasailand Adventures. Other prizes include a two-night B&B stay for two at the Gresham Hotel in Dublin or the Gresham Metropole in Cork and free Swahili lessons for beginners at the Dublin Swahili Institute.

All other events during the AkiDwA’s celebrations are free of charge.
To book a ticket for the Recognition Dinner or for further information about the celebrations, contact AkiDwA’s Development and Event Officer, Amaka Okonkwo at amaka@akidwa.ie or at 01 834 9851.

Programme of Events

• 13/08 Auditions for talent show ‘AkiDwA’s Got Talent’ Venue:  Dublin Central Mission, Dublin at 10am-5pm

• 12/09 OFFICIAL OPENING OF AKIDWA’S 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Launch of photo exhibition ‘Migrant Women Transforming Ireland’ Venue: Exchange Dublin, Temple Bar, Dublin  at 11am– 1pm

• 14/09 African and Migrant Women between Racialisation and Agency – Conference and launch of AkiDwA’s  newest publication, the non-fiction book ‘HOME AND AWAY’Venue: Lecture hall LB04 in the Lloyd Institute,Trinity College Dublin, Dublin at 09.30am – 5pm

• 16/09 Integration: Opportunities and Challenges – Seminar Venue: Limerick City Hall, Limerick at  9.30am -2pm

• 17/09 Representation and Participation of Migrant Women:  Capacity Building Strategies  - Workshop Venue: Community and Social Enterprise Centre, Cork at 9.30am -2pm

• 20/09 Recession and Employment – Seminar Venue: Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre, Waterford at 9.30am -2pm

• 21/09 Mapping the Health Needs of Migrant Women – Seminar Venue: Menlo Park Hotel, Terryland, Galway at 9.30am -2pm

• 22/09 Where Are We Now?  Gender Based Violence – Seminar Venue: Sligo Northside Community Partnership, Sligo at 9.30am -2pm

• 23/09 AKIDWA FUNDRAISING AND RECOGNITION DINNER Awards ceremony and entertainment, including ‘AkiDwA Got Talent’ finals and the AkiDwA Choir Venue: Gresham Hotel, Dublin at 7 pm

• 25/09 SPECIAL THANKSGIVING SERVICE Venue: Dublin Central Mission, Dublin at 11 am