Adam Muchegwa
Originally from Zimbabwe Adam interned with Cllr Anne Campbell of Louth County Council as part of our 2018 Migrant-Councillor Internship Scheme.
Adam was one of 5 participants of the Immigrant Council’s pilot Migrant-Councillor Internship Scheme in 2018 in which politically-interested migrants are mentored by local councillors to learn the ropes of Irish politics. He was partnered with Cllr Anne Campbell of Louth County Council.
“I witnessed my first constituency clinic with Councillor Campbell and was impressed by the interest she showed to people’s problems and the professionalism with which she provided her advice and guidance…I had the opportunity to attend my first Municipal District of Dundalk council meeting where I was roundly welcomed.
“The first Full Council meeting which I attended was March 2018. The major issue on agenda was the suspension of the Drogheda Parking By Laws for three months due to what Council officials said were ‘unsatisfactory’ issues and how Council was going to raise the €300 000 deficit which was going to arise from the suspension of the parking fees. Despite the serious disagreements on this issue among the Councillors and officials, I was left with no doubt that this was the best example of democracy at work.
“The second segment of the internship scheme was even more exciting than the first, because I went beyond just witnessing Anne conducting her clinics. I was able to meet up with other Councillors and senior council officials. One of the highlights of this segment was meeting Gerry Adams, one of the icons of Irish politics at his Dundalk offices.”
Of Adam’s work on the council, Cllr Campbell said:
“Adam brought his wealth of experience as a former civil servant to bear on my work and has guided and helped me, as a newly co-opted Councillor.
“I was exceptionally lucky to have someone like Adam who was so experienced and qualified to work alongside. He helped me see things from a different perspective. I was surprised at how other Councillors were kicking themselves for not getting on board with the project as quickly as I did. I was also surprised at the fact that I thought I would end up helping Adam all the time, but it was, in fact, the other way around. He has assisted me so much.
I think the scheme was a really well thought out project which should definitely be broadened to other councils if possible.”
The Immigrant Council is delighted to be running the Migrant-Councillor Internship Scheme in 2021. To learn more or apply, visit https://www.immigrantcouncil.ie/campaign/migrant-councillor-internship-scheme. Applications close Friday 23 July.
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