GCE IN IRELAND

Ireland is recognised - both across the EU and internationally - as a leader in Global Citizenship Education. This reflects the strength of our support structures, and the quality of the programmes and organisations delivering this work.

Audience seated in a conference room watching a presentation on a large screen
Reaching learners nationwide

IDEA is the representative group for Global Citizenship Education at national level.


Our members engage hundreds of thousands of learners of all ages across the island of Ireland - in classrooms, lecture halls, youth clubs, community halls, and other learning spaces.


This reach goes beyond formal education. Many providers also work with groups such as Local Authorities, the business community and groups facing marginalisation.



Expertise

Our Global Citizenship Educators bring expertise in:


  • Lifelong learning methods and approaches
  • The Sustainable Development Goals
  • Critical information literacy
  • Human rights
  • Global social justice



Supporting Government Policy

The sector plays a key role in helping deliver on policy commitments made by government and related sectors. This work contributes directly to key government policy areas, including:


  • Education
  • International development
  • Climate action
  • Justice
  • Youth affairs
  • Community development
  • Volunteering


OUR KEY STRATEGIC PARTNERS INCLUDE:

Four nationally-funded Global Citizenship Education programmes in primary and post-primary schools:

Our World Awards, Global Village, WorldWise Global Schools and An Taisce Green Schools Programme

Three nationally-funded programmes to embed Global Citizenship Education in Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Ireland: DICE (primary), the Ubuntu Network (post-primary), and Saolta (further education tutors)

A nationally-funded Global Citizenship Education programme for Youth: Youth 2030

A nationally-funded Global Citizenship Education programme for Adult and Community Education (ACE): Saolta.

A nationally-funded Global Citizenship Education programme for third-level students: STAND

50+ organisations providing Global Citizenship Education to children, youth and adults in formal, non-formal and informal settings, including small and specialist organisations and ACE providers. Find out more about these on our Members page

An open curated digital repository for GCE resources in Ireland, developmenteducation.ie and a biannual, peer reviewed, open access, online journal dedicated to Global Citizenship Education, Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review

Find out more about Global Citizenship Education in the Republic and in Northern Ireland
Key donors & policy makers for the sector include
Learn about the Emergence of Global Citizenship Education in Ireland