Immigrant Council of Ireland celebrates the graduates from its 2025 Migrant Leadership Academy and Migrant Political Internship Scheme
PRESS RELEASE: November 22nd, 2025
New Voices for Inclusion: Migrant Leadership Academy and Migrant Political Internship Scheme Celebrates 2025 Graduates
22.11.2025 – The achievements of 26 migrants and refugees were celebrated on Saturday, 22 November 2025, as they graduated from two leadership programmes run by the Immigrant Council of Ireland. Both initiatives aim to strengthen migrant representation in public life and empower participants to use their voices, skills, and lived experience to drive positive change in their communities.
Graduates from the Migrant Leadership Academy and the Migrant Political Internship Scheme received their certificates during a ceremony at The Spencer Hotel in Dublin, where Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam delivered the keynote address.
Commenting on the graduation, Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam said: “Today's Ireland is vibrant, diverse and full of possibility. As Lord Mayor, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary contribution made by migrant- and refugee-led organisations, community groups and networks in every corner of our city. They strengthen our neighbourhoods, enrich our culture and remind us of who we can be at our best. Each of today's graduates plays a truly pivotal role in shaping a more inclusive, confident, and outward-looking Ireland. Dublin City Council is proud to stand with you, and we look forward to deepening our work with you and with the Immigrant Council of Ireland to champion migrant leadership and participation at every level of civic and political life.”
A total of 16 participants graduated from the Migrant Leadership Academy, with a further 10 completing the Migrant Political Internship Scheme. Both programmes are designed to address the ongoing lack of migrant representation in Ireland’s social justice sector and political life, while building the skills, confidence, and leadership capacities of emerging community leaders from migrant backgrounds. This year’s graduates represent a wide geographic spread, coming from counties across Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Monaghan, Meath, Louth, Waterford, Longford, and Kildare.
Teresa Buczkowska, CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, commented on the graduation: “We have a very diverse and rich pool of talent within migrant communities – people who work every day to help realise a vision of Ireland where everyone, regardless of their background, can meet their full potential. Today’s event is one that is very important for us at the Immigrant Council, a day when we can celebrate migrant leaders and all that they do to improve the lives of those around them in communities across the country. We are proud to support them, and we will continue our work alongside them to make Ireland a welcoming space for all.
Valeria Aquino, Integration Manager, said: “Having once been in the graduates’ position myself, it is deeply meaningful to now lead this programme. The Migrant Leadership Academy and Political Internship Scheme continue to show what is possible when migrants are given space to grow, participate, and lead. Today’s graduates inspire not only their own communities but all of us who believe in a more inclusive Ireland.”
Zandile Ndlovu, one of this year’s graduates of the Migrant Political Internship Scheme, commented on her experience in the program: “When I began this programme with the Immigrant Council, I didn’t just see it as professional training but as a bridge connecting our communities to the places where decisions are made, and where voices like ours are needed most. As migrants, we know what resilience looks like; we have faced challenges, rebuilt our lives, and found new strength in unfamiliar places. This journey has taught me that leadership is not about where you come from, it’s about what you bring with you: compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to others.”
Sai Gujulla, one of this year’s graduates of the Migrant Leadership Academy, commented on his own leadership journey and how the programme has helped him: “The Academy has been more than a leadership programme; it has been a community. A place where many of us in the migrant community felt seen, heard, and valued. Through storytelling, communication, power mapping, and community organising, it has given us the skills we need for — and the belief that our voices belong in — leadership.”
Further information about the Immigrant Council’s integration programmes can be found here: https://immigrantcouncil.ie/campaign/integration
ENDS
Contact: Aisling Redden – Email: aisling.redden@immigrantcouncil.ie or communications@immigrantcouncil.ie Phone: 01 645 8045
Notes to the Editor:
- Images: Photos from Marc O'Sullivan are attached here and are free for reproduction.
- Media interviews: Teresa Buczkowska, CEO, Immigrant Council of Ireland; Valeria Aquino, Integration Manager, Immigrant Council of Ireland; Zandile Ndlovu, graduate of the 2025 Political Internship Scheme; and Sai Gujulla, graduate of the 2025 Migrant Leadership Academy, are available for interview.
- The Immigrant Council of Ireland’s Migrant Leadership Academy is co-financed by the European Commission under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027 and supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
- About the Immigrant Council
The Immigrant Council of Ireland is the leading national human rights organisation working to defend migrant rights in Ireland. It provides free immigration advice and legal support through its helpline and law centre, as well as campaigning for immigration reform. The Council also provides support to victims of racism and human trafficking and provides opportunities for migrants to connect with each other and their communities. Visit www.immigrantcouncil.ie for more information.
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