The Irish Refugee Council is championing the need for more companies to provide internships to asylum seekers and refugees who complete the ‘Know Your Rights’ online training course. The course, launched in 2017, has been instrumental in securing paid internships for participants at legal and accountancy firms in Ireland.
DLA Piper, an international law firm, introduced the Know Your Rights Programme to empower refugees and asylum seekers in navigating the legal system, employment, housing, and healthcare. This initiative has now expanded to include an eight-week paid internship, with the first intern, Viorika Zakhovavko, successfully completing the program.
Participants like Viorika, Josh Gonzalez, and Sharon Mpofu have benefited greatly from the internship, gaining valuable insights into Irish law and the work environment. Their experiences have inspired them to educate and support other asylum seekers and refugees in understanding their rights.
The success of the programme has prompted other companies like Deloitte to join forces in providing similar pathways to internships. CEO Nick Henderson is hopeful that more businesses will follow suit, recognizing the immense value of supporting individuals seeking refuge and asylum in Ireland.