Eiad Husham is a Sudanese independent journalist with extensive experience in investigative reporting covering conflict and the human cost of the arms trade.. Currently working with Sudans Post, Ayin, The New Humanitarian, The New Internationalist and Geeska Platform, he focuses on conflict, governance and human rights. Eiad aims to amplify marginalised voices and connect Sudan’s local realities with global audiences through in-depth storytelling.
Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education: Between Neutrality and Militarisation
Date: Wednesday 30 April, 12.30-2.30pm
Location:
Online via Zoom
Global tensions are rising, with increasing drum beats of war and militarism. The human cost of war, conflict and genocide is evident across the globe while the arms trade is profiting hugely from this bloodshed. Militarism fuels violence, displacement and inequality threatening life on every continent. In Ireland, the long-held policy of military neutrality is also coming under threat, and the war in Ukraine has pushed the European Union ever closer towards a militaristic approach to security and defence. For some, Irish neutrality is an illusion amid growing geopolitical turbulence, while for others, it is at the core of who we are in terms of peacekeeping, conflict resolution, and humanitarian interventions.
What does the future hold for Ireland’s role internationally? The ethos of Global Citizenship Education is based on global solidarity, empathy, and partnership, as well as challenging unequal power relations. How do we explore militarization through this lens and encourage critical thinking in the face of political hostilities?
This third session will explore the topics of militarisation, neutrality, and peace education. Speakers will share their experiences and knowledge on the topic to equip educators to explore issues related to militarisation locally and globally. Participants will gain insight into the global arms trade and conflict, as well as increased confidence to incorporate these topics into their work as educators. Participants will also have time dedicated to a Question & Answer session.
Image Credit: Myko Makhlai
Attribution: Unsplash
Open Space Enquiry (OSPe)
This webinar is part of IDEA's ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive, participatory spaces for dialogue and learning. The webinar uses Open Space Enquiry (OSPe), an approach that encourages open, curiosity-driven conversation and reflection. We aim to create a respectful space where diverse voices, experiences, and methods can be explored in the spirit of learning, critical thinking, and global citizenship.
Disclaimer
The views, opinions, and perspectives expressed by any speaker, host, facilitator, trainer or participant in IDEA webinars, seminars, events, talks, trainings, workshops, videos or podcasts are solely those of the individual(s) concerned. These views do not necessarily reflect IDEA's official policy, position, or values, its National Council, its members, funders, or partner organisations. IDEA provides platforms for dialogue and learning in the spirit of critical engagement, inclusivity, and diversity of thought. The hosting or facilitation of any individual, group or event does not constitute endorsement of any specific viewpoint expressed.
Speakers
Niamh Ní Bhriain coordinates the Transnational Institute's (TNI) War and Pacification programme, which focuses on the permanent state of war and pacification of resistance. She holds an LLM in International Human Rights Law from the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG).
Before coming to TNI, Niamh spent a number of years living in Colombia and Mexico working with civil society organisations and the UN in the areas of peace-building, transitional justice, the protection of Human Rights Defenders and conflict analysis. She also spent some time in Brussels doing political advocacy before European institutions related to the conflict in Colombia.
Katie Martin is the Coordinator of Afri (Action from Ireland), an organisation committed to peace, justice, human rights, and sustainability since 1975. As an experienced GCE practitioner, Katie passionately advocates for creative and engaging methodologies, seeing their efficacy as powerful catalysts for deeper understanding and action for our shared world. She believes critical hope, active citizenship, and decolonisation are key in imagining and creating more peaceful and equitable futures. Katie holds two first-class honours degrees, a BA in International Relations from DCU and an MA in International Peacebuilding, Security, and Development Practice from Maynooth University. Last but certainly not least, Katie is a proud member of Comhlámh Justice for Palestine, a very active solidarity group based in Dublin.
Moderator
Ruairí McKiernan is the CEO of IDEA, the Irish Development Education Association. His activism has spanned various causes, including anti-war campaigns, environmental protection, mental health reform, and gender-based violence. Ruairí’s international experience includes youth development work in Tanzania, and he recently returned from living in Australia, where he focused on Indigenous rights and advocated for reform of the gambling industry. Ruairí is also a regular media contributor, a published non-fiction author, and the host of a popular social change podcast, Love and Courage. Ruairí is the founder and former CEO of the pioneering national youth organisation Spunout. He served on the Council of State for seven years as one of President Michael D. Higgins's appointees. He was part of the founding team behind Uplift, the digital campaigning organisation, and established Change Innovations, a social impact consultancy. He has held leadership roles with the refugee and migrant rights organisation Doras and the global empathy education charity Narrative 4. He has also worked closely with the peace and justice group Afri on development education, public engagement, and campaigning for many years.
Wednesday 18 June, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1
Last week, IDEA hosted the second webinar from our 2025 series, ‘Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education, ' focusing on Palestine. If you missed out, you can watch the full video below!
At the end of March, IDEA staff and representatives from three IDEA members travelled to Riga, Latvia, for a two-day event marking the launch of IDEA’s Erasmus+ project with our partner LAPAS (Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation) focused on the IDEA Code of Good Practice The project’s core objective is to enhance the quality of global citizenship education (GCE) at local , national and European levels. Central to this work is the creation of a Code of Good Practice for Latvia based on learning from the IDEA Code that will support Latvian GCE practitioners, including teachers, NGOs, youth workers and others, by fostering a common understanding and approach to GCE. This represents the first piloting of the IDEA Code in an international context. The new IDEA task group for the project, made up of Code members, alongside IDEA staff, are supporting LAPAS members to adapt the Code for the Latvian national context by sharing our own experiences and learnings from the Code and GCE in Ireland. The event in Riga was the first in-person gathering of the project, bringing together LAPAS and IDEA members. This face-to-face interaction allowed us to begin the process of knowledge exchange, and mutual learning which will spread the Code’s reach and strengthen our GCE practice. IDEA was represented in Riga by Dean Oke (CDYS (Cloyne Diocesan Youth Service), Georgina Eastaugh (Concern Worldwide) and Claire Glavey (Global Village), alongside IDEA staff Elaine and Aine.
