THE Dutch Ambassador to Ireland visited Limerick last week to talk about diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.
Maaike van Koldam visited the Limerick Enterprise Development Programme (LEDP) in Roxboro, as well as meeting with Limerick City and County Council’s chief executive Dr Pat Daly and Mayor Gerald Mitchell.
During the engagement at the LEDP Campus, the Ambassador of the Netherlands had the opportunity to meet with students from across the city who are part of the AccessCampus homework club (a collaboration between the LEDP and UL), as well as meeting UL students who are volunteering as tutors.
The Ambassador was welcomed to the facility by the LEDP CEO Niall O’Callaghan and his team, who provided an overview of the charity’s activities and impact in the community since its establishment 25 years ago in response to the closure of the Moulinex-Krups factory.
Ambassador van Koldam, who previously served as a diplomat in Ukraine, also met with a group of Ukrainians now based in the Limerick area who are participating in English language classes being overseen by the UL AccessCampus team at LEDP.
“The work which the LEDP team does is helping to bring people together at a community level, while opening doors for young people in terms of educational and professional opportunities,” Ambassador van Koldam said.
“Inclusion has to be at the heart of policymaking at all levels. What is being accomplished in Limerick in areas as diverse as expanding the cycle lane infrastructure to new communities or giving Ukrainian arrivals the language skills and opportunities they need to succeed is an example for all of us. Together, we can succeed in meeting today’s challenges and create a brighter tomorrow for everyone.”
