OUR FOCUS

IDEA’s Policy & Advocacy work is guided by our Strategic Plan and Vision 2030. We advocate for a more enabling environment for Global Citizenship Education, to ensure that its impact and value in creating active global citizens is recognised at national and international level.


Our focus includes:

  • Engaging with policymakers at national, international and intergovernmental level to prioritise and integrate Global Citizenship Education into strategies and policies, and to recognise its central role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Encouraging educational institutions to integrate Global Citizenship Education into their strategies and programmes.
  • Advocating for investment to build the sector’s capacity and capabilities to deliver life-long, quality Global Citizenship Education to all people across the island of Ireland.
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National level

At a national level, our work includes ensuring the voice of our members is heard at policy level, advocating for Global Citizenship Education, the implementation of the SDGs, investment in Global Citizenship Education, and amplifying our impact through alliances for positive change.

Students around a table with colorful paper flags, under the text “Towards a Society of Active Global Citizens.”
VISION 2030

In 2025, we worked with our members to develop a vision for the Global Citizenship Education sector across the island of Ireland towards 2030. This includes providing everyone in Ireland with quality, life-long Global Citizenship Education - through all schools and colleges, Youth, Adult & Community Education sectors, and new or hard to reach communities. Our aim is to create a nation of global citizens by strengthening people’s awareness of global development issues, their understanding of root causes of poverty and inequality, and empowering them to actively participate in local and global society.

Cover of “Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Strategy 2021–2025” in blue, green, and red geometric design
Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Strategy 2021-2025

This strategy has shaped Irish Aid’s Global Citizenship Education programme across the last five years. IDEA and our members engaged with the development, implementation and mid-term review of this strategy. We have been engaging in the development of the next strategy in 2026.

Cover of “ESD to 2030: Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development” with green sustainability icons.
ESD to 2030 – National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development

IDEA is a member of the National Steering Group and two of three Advisory Groups for the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development. This strategy – jointly led by the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality -plays a crucial role in creating a society that understands and makes the personal and societal changes needed to achieve sustainable living.

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COALITION 2030

IDEA and many of our members are involved in Coalition 2030 - an alliance of civil society organisations working together to ensure Ireland keeps its promise to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through this we play an active part in the development, monitoring and review of SDG National Implementation Plans. We also advocate for recognition of Global Citizenship Education and SDG Target 4.7 as key enablers to achieve all the SDGs.

INTERNational level

IDEA also advocates at international level for Global Citizenship Education. Our aim is to influence key policy frameworks such as the DEAR Programme and the EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework at EU level and SDG Target 4.7 and the post Agenda 2030 framework at UN level. As well as engaging directly with policy makers at both EU and UN level, IDEA is an active member of the following advocacy groups.

Civil Society Alliance for Global Citizenship Education 

IDEA advocates at EU level through the Civil Society Alliance for Global Citizenship Education, made up of 25 Civil Society Organisations across Europe dedicated to advancing Global Citizenship Education. It promotes GCE from the perspectives of education policy, international cooperation, and sustainable development, through campaigning, advocacy, awareness-raising, capacity building, and the development of learning materials. IDEA also advocates directly with MEPs.

BRIDGE 47

IDEA is active in the Bridge 47 Global Citizenship Education Policy Working group, which focuses on Global Citizenship Education advocacy at UN level, including engagement with UNESCO on its 2023 Recommendation on Education for Peace and Human Rights, International Understanding, Cooperation, Fundamental Freedoms, Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development and the place of GCE in the post Agenda 2030 framework.

Audience seated in a conference room watching a presentation on a screen