Launch Of Limerick Irish Algerian Friendship Group (LIAF)
An exciting new development will be launched this weekend - the Limerick Irish Algerian Friendship Group (LIAF).
A Limerick Irish Algerian Friendship Group (LIAF) will officially be launched at the weekend at an event in the Limerick Milk Market.
At the heart of the Limerick Irish Algerian Friendship Group (LIAF) are 134 Algerian PhD students who took up studies at the University of Limerick virtually last year and (after several delays due to Covid-19) made it to Limerick in January of this year.
All the students have been selected in national competitions and are holders of Algerian government scholarships.
About 90% of the students are female and they are mainly pursuing research in English Language Teaching, Linguistics, Intercultural Communication and Literature.
The background of the programme is the scheme a move by Algeria to move from French to English as the official language of teaching and learning in third level.
An Algerian embassy has been opened in Dublin due to this ground-breaking programme in UL.
At the inaugural event of the Friendship Group in the Limerick Milk Market a light brunch will be supplied by Green Acres and Irish traditional music will be provided by famous traditional musicians Mickey Dunne and Family.
Some musical contributions from the Algerian students are also planned.
Both the Mayor of Limerick and UL President Prof. Kerstin Mey will say some words of welcome.
It is hoped that the Algerian ambassador can attend as well.
It will be the first time that the students, their supervisors and Limerick members from the LIAF will be able to meet face to face.
The idea for the friendship group comes from Prof Gisela Holfter, director of UL’s Centre for Irish-German Studies.
She has been at UL for more than 25 years and is co-supervising five of the Algerian PhD students.
She says:
“I have studied and worked in several countries before coming to Ireland and know how crucial it is to make contacts in your new environment and to feel welcome.
Our Algerian PhD students are a wonderful group and it is an absolute pleasure working with them.
Also, this scheme can act as a blueprint for further activities with international postgraduate students as well as ensuring community engagement and really contributing to long-lasting friendships and links between Limerick and Algeria.”
Limerick native and President of the Postgraduate Union Andrea La Touche has been at the forefront of supporting the Algerian PhD students from the beginning.
The co-chair of LIAF has done most of the preparatory work for the inaugural event.
She comments:
"Getting to know the Algerian students has been a wonderful enlightening experience for me since their arrival.
I have learned many things about their culture and likewise they are learning about my culture the differences and similarities can be very striking at times.
My Algerian/Irish intercultural experience is best described as a conservative and liberal interaction where a shared understanding of each other’s cultural emerges through respect for each other.
My consistent interactions with the students are fascinating, intellectually stimulating and fun.
Most of all the students absolutely appreciate people taking time to get to know them.”
There has been strong interest in the Friendship Group among the Algerian PhD students – twenty wanted to join the Steering Group.
An “Executive ISPhD LIAF Steering Group” with four students has been formed and represents all the Algerian PhD students.
Member of the executive Randa Brachouche emphasises:
"The LIAF group is an awesome opportunity for our respective cultures to thrive through fruitful exchanges.
Undoubtedly, we have so much to learn from each other, and I am sure that this initiative will further encourage our integration into the local community."
Oum Charrak adds:
"I like to think of this group as a rather informal initiative that works in parallel with the more formal diplomatic relationships between Ireland and Algeria.
It creates a perfect opportunity for coordinating relationships between Algerian students and the Irish society in Limerick.
We are confident that this ambitious group has a bright future ahead."
Michelle Daly, the group’s Intercultural Advocate, emphasises the underling purpose of LIAF group:
"To provide a space that enables everyone to be more conscious of the importance of ‘Friendship’ and to create events that encourage the development of positive friendships and social integration.
As a community, we all have a role to play in building relationships and reaching out to those who are sometimes left out for whatever reason, or may be feeling isolated and lonely.”
The LIAF Steering Group consists of members of the Limerick City and County Council, a broad spectrum of Limerick residents (some with Algerian background) and UL academics.
A second event is already planned for the end of August – an Algerian picnic in UL.
Anyone interested in joining LIAF please contact Gisela Holfter ([email protected]) or Andrea La Touche ([email protected]).
