Mandarin Speakers Association Programs

The Mandarin Speakers Association operates a number of programs designed to promote cultural and social exchange between Mandarin speakers from Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore and non-Mandarin speakers in Northern Ireland. The society also promotes the rights of ethnic and linguistic minority groups and fosters intercommunity cooperation in collaboration with other community organisations.

The programs, considered under six classifications, are detailed as follows:

The MSA provides practical support for its members and encourages a collective and concerted effort to defend and promote the mutual good and welfare of its members and their dependents. Within its limitations, the MSA will provide such support and assistance where necessary.

The Centre has a range of services that include:

  1. Provision of information regarding legal consultancy
  2. Assistance to members regarding information and accessing public services
  3. Provision of free language translation when requested
  4. Enhancement of the understanding and implementation of legal guidelines, standards and pertinent legislature, thereby protecting and promoting members’ and their families’ rights alongside offering available support to the Mandarin-speaking community concerning the effective advocacy of these rights.
  1. The MSA in co-operation with the Chinese School will organise Mandarin language classes. The MSA is responsible for developing an implementation plan for Mandarin teaching in areas relating to the national curriculum, support services, etc.
  2. The MSA intends to organise a number of seminars, which will introduce and examine aspects of both Chinese and English culture and traditions in order that a greater awareness of each other’s culture is fostered and developed. The seminars will be open to our members and invitations extended to any or all other interested communities.
  3. The MSA will help its members access English language classes
  4. A Chinese article competition is scheduled for April 2001

To improve communication both within the Mandarin-speaking groups and within the wider community in general, the MSA organises the following activities:

  1. A monthly Newsletter for the sharing and distribution of information within our community
  2. A website to represent our Mandarin Speaking Society to all other communities
  3. A monthly meeting will be held at Queen’s (temporally arranged venue) to address any practical problems which might arise and also will serve as an effective means of communication with each other concerning any mutually relevant issues pertaining to members and their families.
  4. An annual General Meeting will be arranged. Members will thus be availed of a forum in which to present to the Association and participate in a discussion of any and all thoughts, opinions and proposals regarding matters which directly or indirectly affect them.
  5. Topic discussion

 

The primary objective of the MSA is to ensure that its members benefit fully from life and residency in Northern Ireland. A main aim is to enhance the active social life of its members and to exercise a proper pastoral concern when called for within its capacity. With such objectives in mind, the MSA in collaboration with both Queen’s and the University of Ulster’s Chinese Scholar and Student Association will organise the following activities.

  1. Spring Festival celebrations in February
  2. Middle Autumn Festival in September
  3. Chinese Food Fair in May
  4. Chinese magazine and book exchange program
  5. Chinese Folk Dance Association
  6. Kung Fu classes – [dependent on available funding]

 

  1. Annual Dinner Dance
  2. Christmas/New Year Party in December
  3. Disco Dance every month
  4. Fundraising activities

 

  1. Christmas shopping trip to Dublin scheduled for December 2001
  2. Summer activities including an August weekend visit to the American Folk Museum
  3. Summer Sports Competitions