IDEA Online

Expression of Interest for IDEA annual conference workshops 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:48:33 GMT

Call for Trainers/Facilitators to Deliver Workshops at IDEA Annual

Conference, 24 June 2026, Malahide, Co. Dublin

IDEA is seeking trainers to design and deliver workshops as part of the IDEA Annual Conference 2026

Trainers will design and deliver workshops relating to the conference theme Education for Liberation, which will support the audience (mainly educators whose work is centred on global justice and solidarity) to bring us back to our roots of education for liberation while also looking forward with renewed purpose. Drawing on the radical traditions of Development Education and the legacy of Paulo Freire and other educators-how can we use these foundations of education for liberation in the context of our world today?

Each trainer/trainer team will be responsible for creating the content of their own 75-90 minute workshop and facilitating the full session in person on the day. Workshops will be run in parallel during the afternoon of the conference programme, and we expect workshops to have approximately 20-25 attendees. The workshops should follow Development Education approaches as set out in the IDEA Code of Good Practice .

Please fill in this form here if you are interested in providing a workshop at our conference.

The deadline for application is Friday, 17 April.

IDEA will confirm the selected trainers by the 07 May.

If successful in your application, we will, of course, be giving complimentary tickets to the full day of the conference.

Webinar Series - ‘Exploring Contemporary Issues through Global Citizenship Education 2: Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:27:34 GMT

Date: Thursday, 30 April, 12.00-1.30pm

Location: Online

This webinar explores the concept of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions how they are used and how they can be an effective action to take as part of the educational process.

Tying in with IDEA’s work on Apartheid Free Zones, we will explore this action component of GCE, celebrating the significant impact and the challenges of these three actions from local to global.

This webinar will give you the information, the tools and the hope necessary to explore these actions with the communities you work with.

Ruairí McKiernan, IDEA CEO, will facilitate this webinar.

Speakers are:

Vicky Donnelly and John Griffin from Kinvara action group

Emma Jayne Geraghty, Friends of the Earth

Deadline for registration is Friday, 24 April

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

Moderator

Webinar Series - ‘Exploring Contemporary Issues through Global Citizenship Education 1: Critically thinking about Critical Minerals

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:05:34 GMT

Date: Friday, 17 April, 12.00 - 1.30pm

Location: Online

Minerals, whether critical, rare or not, have become essential for energy security despite the fact that they are as finite as the fossil fuels we are trying to phase out of existence. Mining has always been on the environmental agenda trying to balance human and environmental rights with the transition to green energy.

But as the race for minerals has escalated over the last few years and mining companies and governments are overriding many environmental, employment and human rights legislation and is based on the violence, exploitation and extraction. As educators, we often link the products, services and systems we use to places around the globe; linking our own lives, technology, renewable energy.

In this online seminar, we will be critically questioning the local and global contexts of mining for critical minerals. It is essential that we explore with our learners what lies beneath!

Lizzy Noone, IDEA, will facilitate this session.

Deadline for registration is Tuesday, 14 April

Register below!

Open Space Enquiry (OSPe)

Disclaimer

Moderator

Speakers

IDEA Celebrates International Women’s Day with Energy, Stories, and Solidarity

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:48:41 GMT

IDEA members gathered on Monday, 10 March, at the IDEA offices in Gardiner Row, Dublin 1, to celebrate International Women’s Day. The room was filled with energy, insight, and connection from members who showed up for this social event. Each person brought perspectives shaped by different experiences, spaces, projects, and community engagement they have been involved in over the years.

The group shared stories, memories, and reflections on progress made towards gender equality and the challenges that persist. Books, leaflets, and personal materials brought by the participants sparked thoughtful and powerful conversations. One conclusion the group came to was that ‘Women can be patriarchal and Men can be matriarchal’, and it is the systems and not necessarily the gender that gives us a world of increasing gender inequality. There was also a discussion on the corporate hijack of Women’s Day that may lead to further stereotyping and inaction when it comes to challenging the very systems that are disempowering to women. This event was an informal gathering, yet rich with learning and inspiration.

A major highlight came from Adrienne ‘Gráinne’ Boyle, an individual member of IDEA, who brought flyers and posters from her time leading and helping to organise several International Women’s Day events in the 1980s and 1990s. The group agreed that we should bring back the saying ‘Women’s Lib’ (short for women’s liberation) that was popular at that time.

Lizzy Noone, IDEA's Capacity Development Manager, shared books that meant a lot to her and centred on women’s empowerment, adding depth to the conversation. One was Manchan Magan’s ‘Women’s Words’ Focail na mBan, a collection of Irish words that do not see the light of day very often and will be lost completely if we do not capture them - a beautiful book with gorgeous artwork by Irish female artists. Another was Caliban and the Witch, Women and Primitive Accumulation by Silivia Federici that really sets the roots of modern gender inequality in the Age of the Enlightenment where men started to see women as being the same as nature and therefore needing to be tamed and controlled (suspecting some to be witches) and seeing themselves as masters of and therefore separated from nature. The book, of course, gives much more insight into this phenomenon.

Larisa Sioneriu from AONTAS shared a thoughtful reflection from her time growing up in Romania, where street harassment of women was common. She contrasted this with her experience after moving to Ireland, where she noticed that such behaviour was not part of everyday life. While this was a positive change, it also left her wondering why the difference felt so striking.

Her story highlights how deeply normalised certain behaviours can become in some societies, to the point where their absence feels unfamiliar. It serves as a gentle reminder of the importance of creating environments where all women can feel safe and respected in public spaces.

Maximiliana Mtenga, IDEA's Public Relations Officer, offered a powerful reflection from the Global South. She shared experiences from her work with the Legal and Human Rights Centre in Tanzania, where she travelled across the country with gender programmes focusing on tackling Female Genital Mutilation and child marriage.

She reminded the room that, although East African countries have adopted gender equality programmes aligned with SDG 5, the struggle remains far from over. In Kenya, for example, cases of femicide are worrying to the point that activists are forced to protest and campaign against this act of violence .

According to the Tanzania Human Rights Report 2019 , incidents of Gender Based Violence continue to prevail across the country. These persistent violations against women and girls show the urgent need for stronger action, broader advocacy, and a united push for safety and equality.

Seeing these realities firsthand has shaped her path deeply. The challenges that women face in Tanzania have moved her and strengthened her resolve. She is inspired to become an impactful activist dedicated to ending Gender Based Violence. Her passion for global citizenship comes not only from alarming statistics, but from the lived experiences of women and girls whose voices are too often unheard or overlooked.

Her story, like many shared at this event, reminded everyone why International Women’s Day is more than a celebration. It is a call to act, to listen, and to stand together for a world where every woman is safe, empowered, and valued.

Several members joined the discussion and others joined for the lunch to celebrate IWD, including individual member Adrienne ‘Gráinne’ Boyle and representatives from member organisations Development Perspectives, Trócaire, WorldWise Global Schools and AONTAS.

Informal Education and the Theory of Impact for GCE

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 16:43:58 GMT

Date: Tuesday 24 March, 10.30am – 12pm

Location: Online

IDEA is inviting our members working in the area of informal education, public engagement and awareness-raising to a meeting on the Theory of Impact for GCE model and tool on Tuesday 24 March from 10.30am – 12 midday online.

In 2025, IDEA launched a Theory of Impact for GCE model, developed in collaboration with our members. Since then, we are working on the development of a tool to collect data aligned with the model, and how to visualise the collective impact of the GCE sector.

As the tool is developed, there is an emphasis on activities taking place in settings of formal education (early years, primary, post-primary, higher education) and non-formal education (Adult, Community and youth work) as it is easier to gather data on the results of these activities. As a result, some members are wondering if and how informal education and/or public engagement aligns to the Theory of Impact for GCE and how best to include it or not. From the Irish Aid GCE Strategy (2021-2025), informal education is described as distinct from formal and non-formal education as: ‘all the other ways that people learn throughout their lives: from each other, from the media including social media, from visiting museums, libraries and exhibitions.’

We would like to discuss this with IDEA members active in all types of informal education initiatives and public awareness raising on global justice issues, such as media, film screenings, public lectures, Church outreach, photo exhibitions, engaging with volunteers etc.

We invite you to a 90-minute online Zoom discussion, facilitated by IDEA Staff working on the Theory of Impact for GCE (Lizzy Noone and Elaine Mahon). This meeting will explore the nuances between depth and scale of engagement, and how we can better capture the transformative journey of our participants through our Theory of Impact model. We encourage all attending to review the Theory of Impact model in advance.

We hope to have an open discussion to share about the informal education activities in your work and how you measure the results of this work. If you don’t work directly on informal education in your organisation, we would really appreciate it if you encouraged your colleagues who do, to come along and participate in the conversation.

Register below!

IDEA AGM & Evaluation and Needs Analysis

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:57:28 GMT

Date: Tuesday, 26 May 2026 11.00am – 3.30pm

AGM: 11.00am – 12.30pm

Evaluation & Needs Analysis: 1.15pm – 3.30pm

Location: IDEA Offices, 6 Gardiner Row, D01Y183

IDEA will host its AGM followed by an evaluation and needs analysis on Tuesday, 26 May, at the IDEA offices.

All members are welcome and encouraged to attend both events, as member voices are vital to IDEA's mission and work.

Registration for the day will begin 10.30 am with tea/coffee and refreshments.

The AGM official business will begin at 11.00 am and continue until 12.30 pm. If you are unable to attend in person, please contact sal@ideaonline.ie directly.

IDEA will provide lunch to all attending members. Please fill out your dietary requirements and accessibility needs in the registration form. It is particularly important to register by 19th May to ensure the event is as accessible as possible.

The evaluation and needs analysis session will begin at 1.15pm – 3.30pm. As 2026 is the final year in our current five-year Strategic Partnerships programme with Irish Aid, this year we are evaluating the current programme and planning for future funding applications. This session is a fundamental part of this process and is an opportunity for IDEA members to feed into this work. This session will be facilitated by an external evaluator who will collate members’ feedback on IDEA’s years, current programme, and encourage a focus on key areas for the next 5 years programme current programme and also encourage a focus on key areas for the next programme.

You must be an IDEA member to attend. If you have any questions about your IDEA membership for 2026, please contact sal@ideaonline.ie.

Code Network Meeting June 2026

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:35:43 GMT

Date: Thursday 11 June, 9.30am – 12.30pm

Location: Online via zoom.

IDEA is looking forward to welcoming all members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education to our upcoming Code network meeting on Thursday 11 June from 9.30am - 12.30pm, online. There are places for two representatives (staff, volunteers etc.) from each Code member.

For members of the IDEA Code of Good Practice, there are two Code network meetings annually (of which Code members must attend at least one). In 2026, one Code network meeting takes place online (June) and one in person (November).

If you have any questions, please contact code@ideaonline.ie

IDEA Annual Conference 2026

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 11:53:34 GMT

Education for Liberation: GCE in an Age of Crisis

Date: Wednesday, 24 June, 10.00am - 5.30pm

Location: The Grand Hotel Malahide, K36XT6

We are living in an era of multi-crises. Democratic norms are under threat, racism and ethno-nationalism are resurging, and the space for critical thought and civic participation is narrowing.

The scale of the challenges we are facing can be overwhelming, with many of us wondering what is the role for educators and how can we respond in a meaningful way?

This year, IDEA's Annual Conference will take us back to our roots while also looking forward with renewed purpose. Drawing on the radical traditions of Development Education and the legacy of Paulo Freire and other educators, we will be exploring the foundations of education for liberation in the context of our world today.

The day will feature a range of inspiring speakers, panellists, workshops and performances, along with plenty of space for conversation and connection. We will also host a member social gathering afterwards for those who wish to continue the discussions informally.

Join us to discuss how Global Citizenship Education can build critical consciousness, nurture human solidarity, and strengthen grassroots action in these turbulent times.

Book now to secure your place.

IDEA is grateful for the support of our main funder, Irish Aid, as well as the support of Trócaire, Concern, and our members.

Celebrate International Women’s Day with IDEA

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 23:26:17 GMT

Date: Tuesday10 March, 11.30am–1.45pm

Location: IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

IDEA warmly invites you to join us for conversation, connection, and a shared lunch to celebrate International Women’s Day in the IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1, on 10 March, 11.30am–1.45pm.

Together, we will be a welcoming space to pause, reflect, and exchange ideas as a community working at the intersection of gender equality education and global justice. In a time, shaped by widening inequality, conflict, climate pressures, and backlash against rights, this gathering offers a moment to reconnect with the role of education in advancing equality, solidarity, and collective action. We invite you to bring an object or a book that holds meaning for you in relation to gender equality, as a way to spark conversation and shared learning.

All genders are very welcome. Please register by 09 March 2.00pm.

Include any dietary requirements.

Register below!

Vision 2030 Advocacy Strategy - Have Your Say!

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 17:05:14 GMT

Date: Tuesday 31 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm

Location: IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1,

Global Citizenship Education has never been more important, and it’s vital that we mobilise to both defend and expand our work. IDEA has therefore been developing a high-level advocacy strategy for advancing the policy and investment priorities set out in Vision 2030 in the coming years. This has assisted us to identify our strategic approaches, advocacy targets, and the specific outcomes and policy opportunities for each priority. We have also drafted a policy engagement timeline for 2026.

We were delighted to involve our members in helping to shape this strategy over the past month, starting with a webinar presentation and Q&A on 05 March followed by an invitation to members to provide written feedback and suggestions on the draft advocacy strategy.

Now that your feedback has been analysed and integrated, we will host an in-person workshop for members on Tuesday 31 March, 10.00am – 1.00pm at IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1, to further develop aspects of the strategy. A vegetarian lunch will be provided.

Note: these events are open to IDEA members only.

Registration for this event is now closed.

Launch of new Global Citizenship Education Higher Education Forum

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:20:18 GMT

IDEA is excited to share the launch of our Global Citizenship Education Higher Education Forum for those working across higher education on the island of Ireland. The first meeting will be online on Wednesday 11 March 2026, 11.00am -12.30 pm.

This will be a new collaborative space for those engaged or interested in advancing Global Citizenship Education across all aspects of higher education, including teaching and learning, research, professional services, student engagement and more.

The forum is an all-island initiative, open to anyone working in higher education, including academic and professional staff and organisations, who have an interest in Global Citizenship Education in any aspect of their work.

It aims to bring together an interdisciplinary community working across higher education institutes, across the Island of Ireland, to share experience and learning, explore research and pedagogy, highlight good practice, and support more strategic and systemic engagement with Global Citizenship Education across higher education. The Forum will provide an opportunity to connect with others working in this area, reflect on Global Citizenship Education in the Irish higher education context, and consider how it can be strengthened across disciplines, departments and institutions.

The initiative is led by Dr. Gertrude Cotter ( UCC ) , Dr. Eilish Dillon ( Maynooth University ) and Nina Sachau ( STAND ) . It is expected to meet 3-4 times per year and is hosted by the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA), with practical support provided by IDEA staff.

If you are interested in joining the meeting, or would like further information, please get in touch with Nina Sachau

The ABC of Global Citizenship Education 2026 - Rescheduled

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:23:41 GMT

This training has been rescheduled. Please see below for new dates and locations

Dates:
Session 1: Wednesday 25 March, 10.00am - 4.00pm
Session 2: Thursday, 16 April, 10.00am -12.30pm
Session 3: Thursday 23 April, 9.30am - 4.00pm

Location:
Session 1: Brandsma Hall, Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2, D02 T258
Session 2: Online via Zoom
Session 3: Room E205 DCU St Patrick’s Campus Drumcondra

IDEA has rescheduled our training on the ‘ABC of Global Citizenship Education’ in collaboration with Global Village aimed at supporting newcomers to GCE to deepen their understanding and develop their skills in Global Citizenship Education delivery.

Global Citizenship Education enables people to understand the world around them and to act to transform it. It works to tackle the root causes of injustice and inequality, globally and locally to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone. IDEA members use a variety of terms including Global Citizenship Education, Development Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Work and related terms.

The training is targeted at newcomers to Global Citizenship Education but is open to all. It will also be useful to anyone who wishes to brush up on their Global Citizenship Education skills. It runs in three parts, through a mixture of online and in person sessions.

The training will:

Support educators to bring a global justice perspective to their educational work
Explore interactive and participatory approaches to Global Citizenship Education
Provide information on relevant resources and supports for your Global Citizenship Education work
Introduce you to the Code of Good Practice for Development Education
Increase understanding of the context of Global Citizenship Education in Ireland, including relevant stakeholders.

In previous years we have been joined by guest speakers – in 2023 we were joined by Dr Aoife Titley , Maynooth University, and in 2024 by the Hope & Courage Collective and in 2025, global youth worker and spoken word artist Dean Oke.

Fees for members of IDEA are €50.00 and non-members of IDEA are €100.00. Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €3.00 - this can be paid in person.

Register below!

IDEA Voices: Standing in Solidarity with Gaza as Global Educators

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:59:54 GMT

Welcome to IDEA Voices – a space for members to share perspectives, experiences and reflections on issues related to Global Citizenship Education. This reflects the spirit of IDEA’s commitment to dialogue, critical reflection and the diversity of perspectives within our network.

Written by: Stephen McCloskey, director of the Centre for Global Education and editor of Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review.

From the start of Israel’s genocide in Gaza more than two years’ ago, there has been a difficult and discomforting internal debate within the global education sector as to how it should respond. The sector has shifted somewhat from an initial collective silence that was broken by three members of IDEA (Centre for Global Education, Comhlámh and Síolta Chroí) who came together to organise online sessions that were extremely well attended and reflected strong support for a more robust sectoral response. These same three members subsequently established an IDEA Working Group on Palestine with the support of IDEA’s staff. It aimed to support education, discussion, collaboration and activism among IDEA members in solidarity with Palestine. The group succeeded in engaging affiliated members in discussion on Palestine and advocacy with the Irish government on passing the Occupied Territories Bill into law and calling for the withdrawal of the strongly criticised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. These initiatives were mostly confined to the Working Group, however, rather than actions taken by the network as a whole which created the sense that Palestine was confined to a silo.

There have been encouraging signs since that the network was becoming more engaged with Palestine when it supported calls for the Irish Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds and called on the Irish government to join The Hague Group. Whilst these actions are welcome, I think they fall short of what we could and should be doing as a network to stand in solidarity with Gaza. From the beginning of the genocide, IDEA members should have been galvanised to join the monthly Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) national protests in Dublin that have drawn huge participation from citizens and civil society movements across the island. This was a minimal test of solidarity with Palestine that was failed. The network should (and still could) directly lobby the Irish government to implement in full the Occupied Territories Bill, particularly as the government is threatening to remove a ban on trade in services from any legislation that comes into law. The network should (and still could) call for the Irish government to stop the use of Shannon Airport as a transit point by the United States military in contravention of Irish neutrality. The network should (and still could) call on the Irish government to stop the sale of dual-use products to Israel that can have a civilian and military application.

In her latest report , Francesca Albanese, the UN rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian Territories, finds that Ireland has the largest dual-use trade with Israel in integrated circuits valued at $3.2 billion in 2024. She writes that ‘Gaza is a collective crime, sustained by the complicity of influential Third States that have enabled longstanding systemic violations of international law by Israel’. Ireland is one of the ‘Third States’ named in the report which in itself is evidence that perhaps we could have done more as a sector to end Irish complicity in genocide.

For many colleagues, the global education sector’s limited response to the genocide has provoked a deeper discussion on how many aspects of global education practice have shifted from their radical Freirean roots to a more professionalised and depoliticised form. From the vantage point as editor of a global education journal, Policy and Practice, I conducted a kind of vox pop earlier this year when I asked for short 500-word articles on ‘The Future of Development Education’. The collection included calls that the sector move beyond hospicing the broken neoliberal economic system by maintaining our largely uncritical support of the SDGs and embrace a stronger decolonial approach which does more to acknowledge that under-development is the result of capitalism, not development deficits in the global South. A decolonial education on the genocide in Gaza would have immediately framed it in the context of Israel’s settler-colonialism in Palestine. It would also have framed a sectoral response shaped by Freire’s call that global education means standing in solidarity with the oppressed.

In 2022, a report commissioned by the Centre for Global Education and Financial Justice Ireland found that ‘neither the international development nor the development education sector give anywhere near adequate attention to explorations with the public of the economic causes of poverty, inequality and injustice and of responses, through education, to the global neoliberal system’. The report bemoaned a lack of systemic thinking in the sector that is reflective of a technocratic or managerialist approach to development that fails to address the root causes of poverty and equality; the professed aim of our sector.

In applying a systemic analysis to the genocide in Gaza, the Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, immediately recognised that Gaza was a warning to the people of the global South. He wrote on X that the West ‘seeks to defend the bubble of consumption of the planet’s rich and not to save humanity, whose majorities are disposable to them, like the children of Gaza’. This explains the callous indifference of the Euro-Atlantic powers to the suffering of the Palestinians and their willingness to make a pyre of the conventions and norms of international law. Picking up on this, the journalist Chris Hedges wrote that:

“The struggle for Palestine is our struggle. The denial of freedom for Palestinians is the first step in the loss of our freedom. The terror that defines life in Gaza will become our terror. The genocide will become our genocide”.

The Palestinians are leading our decolonisation by exposing and resisting the joint criminal enterprise underpinning the genocide in Gaza. Is it not time that the global education sector did more to offer meaningful solidarity to Palestinians?

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and should not be taken to reflect the position of IDEA or its wider membership. IDEA maintains a clear organisational position on Palestine, grounded in our values, remit and long-standing member leadership. To learn more, see IDEA for Palestine .

Welcoming Lizzy Noone: IDEA’s New Capacity Development Manager

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 09:53:30 GMT

IDEA wins Good Governance Award 2025

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 18:48:18 GMT

IDEA is delighted to share that we have won a Good Governance Award in our category at the Carmichael Good Governance Awards 2025.

We are proud to be recognised for excellence in governance standards, in particular for the quality and transparency of our 2024 Annual Report. This award reflects not only the work of the past year but also our ongoing commitment to accountability, learning, and sector leadership in 2025 and beyond.

Congratulations also to our member organisations Oxfam, who won in their category, and to STAND and GOAL, who were shortlisted. It is inspiring to see such strong representation and achievement from across our community.

We would like to express our gratitude to IDEA’s National Council for their tireless dedication, especially:

Cara Ryan , former IDEA Chair, for her steady leadership throughout 2024
Pierre Yimbog , IDEA Company Secretary
Martina Ryan-Doyle , IDEA Treasurer

A heartfelt thank you to the IDEA team for their exceptional contribution. In particular:

Elaine Mahon , whose thoughtful leadership guided IDEA throughout 2024
Sal Healy , whose outstanding work as Operations & Finance Manager – and later as Interim Deputy Director – was central to our governance and reporting
Catherine Ginty , who played a key role in shaping and producing the Annual Report

We would also like to acknowledge Bobby McCormack and Ruairí McKiernan , who stepped into the roles of IDEA Chair and IDEA CEO towards the end of 2024 and continue to steer IDEA forward with vision and purpose.

A special thank you to Tony Daly of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World for his powerful exhibition 20 Objects , featured as part of our 20th Anniversary celebrations and showcased in the Annual Report.

This award is a meaningful recognition of the care, collaboration, and commitment that underpin IDEA’s work. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making our governance culture as strong and ambitious as our mission.

Read our 2024 Annual Report here .

Enact the Occupied Territories Bill: Online Solidarity Event

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 10:23:45 GMT

Join us this Wednesday, 19 November, 1.00pm for a lunchtime online event hosted by the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) on the Occupied Territories Bill – why it matters now more than ever, and what meaningful action is needed in solidarity with Palestine. Register here .

IDEA CEO Ruairí McKiernan will host an expert panel, including Éamonn Meehan, from Sadaka – Ireland Palestine Alliance, Karol Balfe, from ActionAid Ireland, and Faten Alsourani, from Trócaire. We’ll explore why the Bill is vital, the urgency of maintaining public pressure, and how civil society can stay engaged. The event is free to attend – all are welcome.

This will take place ahead of the #PassTheOTB rally at 5.30pm on Kildare Street that evening.

IDEA also expresses strong support for our members joining the rally and backing the cross-party motion on the Occupied Territories Bill. Organisations including Trócaire, Christian Aid Ireland, ActionAid Ireland, Oxfam Ireland, Afri - Action from Ireland, Development Perspectives, Financial Justice Ireland, Comhlámh - Irish Association of Development Workers and Volunteers, Stand, Amnesty International Ireland, The Centre for Global Education, 80:20 Educating & Acting for a Better World, Oxfam Ireland, and Friends of the Earth Ireland have been at the forefront of education, advocacy, and humanitarian work on Palestine for decades.

This rally comes amid the catastrophic ongoing genocide in Gaza and escalating violence across the West Bank. These realities demand a principled response that upholds international law and ensures Ireland is not complicit in human rights violations.

As the national platform for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education, IDEA supports our members in fostering critical thinking, understanding, and action on global injustice. The Occupied Territories Bill aligns with the core values of DE/GCE and with Ireland’s tradition of standing for human rights, dignity, and peace.

IDEA stands firmly behind the Occupied Territories Bill as a necessary and timely step towards justice, accountability, and lasting peace.

Register here

IDEA represented at European Global Citizenship Education Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 13:13:55 GMT

IDEA’s Policy and Advocacy Manager, Leigh Brady and IDEA’s Code of Good Practice Support Officer, Áine Boyle spoke at a European conference on Global Citizenship Education in Sofia, Bulgaria on 15-16 October. The conference, “It’s Global Education Time: sharing Global Citizenship Education policy, research and practice”, was organised within the scope of a DEAR-funded project, It's Global Education Time , involving eight European countries: Ireland, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic and Bulgaria. It brought together key stakeholders in the education field: experts and researchers, policy makers, representatives of educational authorities, teacher educators, civil society networks, and European institutions.

The main focus of the conference was to share the findings of research, conducted across the eight project countries, on the integration of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in educational policies and school curricula. The curricula research focused on history, geography, and civic education for students aged 11-16 years, and the results of both cross-country studies were presented and discussed during an engaging plenary session. This was followed by a tour of posters that summarised the main findings of each country report and an exercise to generate concrete ideas and commitments on how the research could be disseminated and used.

Other conference sessions explored recent policy developments, as well as challenges and opportunities for GCE in Europe, Latin America and at the global level. IDEA Policy and Advocacy Manager, Leigh Brady provided a short input on the synergy between GCE-related research and policy, emphasising that the drive for evidence-based GCE policymaking puts more of an onus on practitioners seeking to influence policy to undertake rigorous research that provides evidence to back their policy recommendations. However, Leigh also stressed the following point:

“To inform Global Citizenship Education policy that leads to meaningful interventions in learning spaces, research must include the lived experiences of those it is designed to serve. This includes learners, educators and school leaders as their voices help ensure that policy responds to real-time needs and challenges. Evidence-based policymaking is strongest when grounded in real-world experience, and the synergy between GCE-related research and policy is key to creating inclusive, relevant and impactful education systems. We remain committed to advocating for policies that are informed by both data and lived realities."

On day two, IDEA Code of Good Practice Support Officer, Áine Boyle, made a comprehensive presentation on the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education, which generated a lot of interest from participants from other countries. Áine stressed that membership of the Code is voluntary and that rather than being a deficit-focused evaluation framework, the Code drives quality of Development Education/Global Citizenship Education via collective celebration of good practice examples. It runs on self-assessment by members combined with positive and constructive feedback from a panel of Code assessment reviewers. Áine shared many examples of Code members citing different benefits of being a Code member but highlighted one benefit that most Code members recognise:

“Most Code members underline that the Community of Practice created to support Code members is the biggest benefit of Code membership. IDEA hosts two Code Network Meetings per year and for the first time this year decided to organise both meetings in person, due to the how much Code members appreciate the opportunity of the in-person peer learning exchange.”

Áine also shared information on the Erasmus+ project that IDEA is co-implementing with LAPAS , the Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation, to inspire a Latvian Code of Good Practice for Global Citizenship Education, and welcomed participants to consider co-partnering with IDEA on future projects to expand the Code to more European countries.

2025 Research Showcase: Pathways to Decolonial Practices in Global Citizenship Education

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:22:53 GMT

Date: Thursday 20 November, 10.00 - 11.30am

Location: Online

IDEA is thrilled to invite you to our 2025 Research Showcase, "Pathways to decolonial practices in Global Citizenship Education” on Thursday, 20 November, 10.00 - 11.30am, online. This year’s theme is inspired by Principle 3 of the CODE of Good Practice for Development Education , “Be explicit about the ethos of Development Education – global solidarity, empathy and partnership, and challenging unequal power relations across all issues we work on.” This has always been a central element of quality Global Citizenship Education and the practice of IDEA members.

Challenging unequal power relations across all issues is something we all strive for in Global Citizenship Education, but how can we embed this Principle even further in our educational practice? This year’s Showcase will be an opportunity to dig deeper into our engagement with communities affected by injustice.

Speakers include Dr Tanya Wendt Samu, a senior lecturer in the School of Critical Studies in Education, Faculty of Education & Social Work, University of Auckland, and Dr Sandrine Uwase Ndahiro, who has published extensively on race, identity, and the Anthropocene.

The speakers will share their expertise on pathways to shift the balance of power differentials in our practice, as well as related risks and opportunities. We will discuss the importance of indigenous knowledge and decolonial theoretical frameworks and explore what these look like in practice. We hope to equip participants with tools for meaningful representation and help them reflect on their own positionality.

The showcase is also an opportunity to explore current Global Citizenship Education research, meet academics and explore the applicability of the research to your own practice.

More information about speakers to come soon!

Register now!

Biographies

Calls for urgent investment to empower people amid rising disinformation, racism, and polarisation

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 13:49:46 GMT

Calls for urgent investment to empower people amid rising disinformation, racism, and polarisation

Irish Global Citizenship Education sector launches Vision to 2030

The Global Citizenship Education (GCE) sector today called for greater investment to empower people to respond effectively to the challenges of an increasingly divided and uncertain world. The call came at the launch of Vision 2030: Towards a Society of Active Global Citizens - a new roadmap for Global Citizenship Education across the island of Ireland to 2030.

Speaking at the launch, Ruairí McKiernan, CEO of the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) , said:

“We are living in an age of great turbulence and division - marked by climate breakdown, hunger, conflict, and the marginalisation of vulnerable groups, alongside a dangerous rise in disinformation, racism, and social polarisation.

Global Citizenship Education offers a vital antidote. It helps people make sense of a complex and interconnected world, to join the dots between local and global issues, and to see their own power to create change. Above all, it builds resilience, empathy, and shared understanding - the foundations of peace and democracy. There has never been a greater need for investment in this work.”

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, member of both the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, said:

“We are all citizens of an amazing world. Global Citizenship Education shows you how you are already connected to what's happening around the world. It helps you understand how you are part of it. It allows you to build solidarity with others and understand how you can make positive change. In policy and politics, we make decisions about how we want to live together. Global Citizenship Education equips people to be part of that decision. It also makes you think about who is in the room, and what are the values that inform these decisions.”

Deputy Cathal Crowe TD , Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth, said:

“Vision 2030 shows how Global Citizenship Education can be embedded more deeply across our education system - from schools and youth work to higher and adult education. It’s about equipping learners with the understanding and skills to engage critically with the world around them, and to become active citizens shaping a fairer, more sustainable future.”

Bobby McCormack , Chair of IDEA and CEO of Development Perspectives, added:

“Between 2021 and 2024, Ireland invested €33.6 million in programmes that enabled more than 1.2 million people across this island to become informed and active global citizens. That investment created strong foundations across education systems and communities, positioning Ireland as a European leader in this field. Now those foundations must be protected and strengthened to counter the rising tides of intolerance and misinformation.”

Developed by IDEA and its members, Vision 2030 sets out clear priorities for the decade ahead, including:

Increased investment to meet the internationally recognised target of 3% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Global Citizenship Education by 2030.
A coordinated, cross-departmental approach to integrate Global Citizenship Education across national policies in education, international development, climate action, and community development.
Expanded reach and equity across formal, non-formal, and informal learning settings throughout the island of Ireland.
Enhanced impact and accountability , through stronger measurement, research, and promotion of the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education.
Strengthened cross-border collaboration , connecting practitioners North and South through coordinated initiatives and shared learning.

Global Citizenship Education contributes directly to Ireland’s policy goals in education, climate action, justice, youth, and international development - helping to build a society of engaged, informed, and active citizens. Vision 2030 outlines how this can be achieved and what supports are needed at government level to ensure quality Global Citizenship Education is available to everyone.

Speakers at the event included Deputy Cathal Crowe TD, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, Ruairí McKiernan (CEO of IDEA), Bobby McCormack (CEO of Development Perspectives and Chair of IDEA), Conor O’Leary (Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board), Kirsten Baltazar (participant in STAND’s Global Citizenship Education Programme), and Leigh Brady (Policy and Advocacy Manager at IDEA).

Vision 2030 is available here .

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications 2026

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:31:59 GMT

Date: Thursday, 13 November, 09.30am – 11.30am

Location: O nline

Our first training event for the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round is a Grants Clinic, focusing on the application form, to be facilitated by Bobby McCormack, CEO of Development Perspectives and Chairperson of IDEA National Council, and Elaine Mahon, IDEA. This will take place on Thursday, 13 November, 09.30am – 11.30am, online.

IDEA provides support for members - and spaces for members to support one another - in applying for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all.

As in recent years, this event is open to those who are not yet members of IDEA.

To make this training as useful as possible for all attending, please make sure that you have a copy of any previous application form you have worked on relating to the Irish Aid GCE grants available to you during the session.

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biographies

Improving Your Results Framework Workshop 2026

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 14:30:59 GMT

Date: Tuesday 18 November, 10am - 12.00pm

Location: Online

This workshop is part of IDEA’s support on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round. This session will be led by Elaine Mahon, IDEA and Susan Gallwey, as an Individual member, IDEA

This session is focused on supporting those who are familiar with Results Frameworks and have begun work on the Results Framework for their application. This will take place on Tuesday, 18 November, 10am - 12.00pm, online.

Participants are invited to prepare for 'Improving Your Results Frameworks’ session as follows:

a) Those participants from organisations who have previously submitted a Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education to Irish Aid should be familiar with their existing Results Framework. Before the event they will be asked to share (with the trainer and IDEA) an outcome and associated indicators that is working well and also identify an outcome and associated indicators that posed some challenges.

b) Those participants from organisations who have NOT previously submitted a Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education to Irish Aid and/or people who are new to Results Frameworks should first view the session called ‘ Results Frameworks for Beginners’ , led by Susan Gallwey and Elaine Mahon, before attending the Workshop. The video is available here.

As in recent years, this event is open to those who are not yet members of IDEA.

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biographies

The 2026 Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for Proposals is now open

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:22:19 GMT

The call for proposals can be found at this link . It also includes links to the Guidelines, FAQ documents, as well as information on DEAR co-funding.

Key dates include:

Tuesday 28 October, 5.00pm - Deadline for receipt of eligibility forms: Please note an important change to the eligibility process since the 2025 grants round: ALL organisations hoping to apply must complete an eligibility form. Eligibility forms can be requested by emailing the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Completed eligibility forms must be submitted to the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Organisations who fail to meet the eligibility deadline cannot be considered.
Friday 31 October 2025 - Organisations will be notified of their eligibility
Friday 28 November, 12.00noon - Deadline for applications: The completed application form, signed by the legal representative of the organisation (e.g. the CEO or the Chair of the Board) should be e-mailed to the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Please note, applications which are received after this date will not be considered. The Global Citizenship Education Mailbox email address is provided in the 2026 Call for Proposals.
It is intended that the appraisal of applications will take place in Quarter 1 2026 and notification of funding decisions will issue in March 2026 .

IDEA Support for the Grants Round:

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications: This will take place on Thursday, 13 November, 09.30am – 11.30am, online. Find out more...
Improving your Results Framework Workshop: This will take place on Tuesday 18 November, 10am - 12.00pm, online. Find out more...
Results Frameworks for Beginners Workshop: Instead of a live workshop, IDEA has recorded a session which goes through Results Frameworks for Beginners. This was published on IDEA’s YouTube channel in November 2024 and is available here

As in recent years, we are inviting any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events. All training events are free of charge.

Call for Tender: Design of an Interactive Data Visualisation Tool, Theory of Impact for Global Citizenship Education in Ireland

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:38:32 GMT

We are looking for a consultant to design an interactive data visualisation tool for our Theory of Impact for Global Citizenship Education in Ireland.

The consultant will lead the design or tailoring of off-the-shelf survey software and analytics software to our needs, in collaboration with IDEA staff. Please submit a tender including a description of stages in the development process, number of days, expected fee, and experience of relevant personnel for the work to be carried out to anya@ideaonline.ie .

The deadline for application has been extended to Wednesday, 5 November, 5.00pm.

Read the full terms of reference here.

Anya’s Next Chapter: Farewell and Legacy

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 09:11:13 GMT

After three remarkable years with IDEA, we are sad to share that Anya Sparynska is moving abroad to begin a new adventure. During her time with us, Anya made an indelible mark - first by shaping a pioneering programme role, and later by guiding us in a capacity development role that strengthened our impact across Ireland’s development education sector.

From designing and implementing innovative initiatives to building partnerships and capacity across our member organisations, Anya has left IDEA stronger, more connected, and more ambitious for the future.

“I am sad to leave at such a pivotal time in IDEA: we are faced with unspeakable horror, as the need for justice and accountability grows ever more urgent. I have seen, however, our members and staff respond with creativity, humanity and dedication to these challenging times and find inspiration in it, even at this darkest hour.

A desire to be close to my family and the pressure of the housing crisis have driven me to Brussels, but I know I will be back as Ireland - it’s passionate, brave and kind people - now feels like home. I will be sure to follow IDEA and our members’ work closely in the coming year and hope to stay in touch!

“Working at IDEA has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Seeing ideas and passion turn into real impact and change has been incredibly fulfilling - I’ll carry those lessons, and the very special friendships made along the way with me always.”

- Anya Sparynska

As Anya prepares to embark on her next chapter, we want to express our deepest gratitude for her contribution to IDEA and to the wider development education community. Her dedication, warmth, and commitment to collaboration have left a lasting legacy, and we wish her every success in the exciting journey ahead.

We’re Hiring: Capacity Development Programme Manager

We’re now recruiting a Capacity Development Programme Manager to continue building on the strong foundation Anya has helped create.

If you’re passionate about capacity-building, development education, and leading programmes that make real change, you may be the person to step into this role.

Deadline to apply: October 13, 2025.

�� Learn more and apply here: https://www.ideaonline.ie/were-hiring-capacity-development-programme-manager

Key Responsibilities include:

Leading IDEA’s capacity development programmes: training, workshops, and networking
Designing and delivering flagship events
Driving innovation, measuring impact, and aligning programmes with sector needs
Collaborating across teams on policy, advocacy, and communications
Representing IDEA at national and international levels

Launch of IDEA's Theory of Impact for GCE

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:12:50 GMT

Date: Tuesday, 04 November, from 3.30–4.30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

IDEA is thrilled to invite members to the online launch of our new “Theory of Impact for Global Citizenship Education” on Tuesday, 04 November, from 3.30–4.30pm, Online via Zoom. During this session, we will present the model, share insights into the process behind its development, and explore how it will be used to strengthen impact across the sector. We will also introduce a new tool in progress, an interactive data visualisation map designed to showcase our collective impact as a network.

For many years, IDEA and its members have been grappling with the concept of impact in Development Education/Global Citizenship Education (GCE). As GCE practitioners, tracking impact helps us to identify how, where and with whom our work is creating positive change, as well as investigating areas in which our impact could be stronger. Furthermore, we can also benefit from examining the collective impact of GCE carried out by the wide-ranging work of IDEA members, and from exploring how these impacts contribute to the major social changes to which the GCE community aspires.

Driven therefore by the need to understand how projects and programmes are collectively “making a difference” in IDEA we looked at models that could help us visualise and capture GCE “impact networks”. We formulated our vision of impact and then a theory of how we expect this desired impact to be achieved to allow us to map our activities and collect data to corroborate that theory. This Theory of Impact model is how we hope to illustrate this complex GCE impact network.

Building on work done by IDEA over many years including building sectoral capacity in using Results Frameworks for GCE, our Quality & Impact working group, engagement with Irish Aid on their Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), and the successful roll-out of a Code of Good Practice for DE/GCE, this Theory of Impact represent the next stage of our effort to ‘develop a consistent approach to measuring impact among the sector’.

We are therefore thrilled to invite you to the presentation of our ‘Theory of Impact for GCE’.

At this online presentation, we will tell you about the process that led to the creation of this model, how it will be used and what we hope it could bring to the sector. We will also touch on a new tool being developed based on the model, which should allow the creation of an interactive data visualisation map of our collective impact as a network. Join us as we launch into this exciting new phase of our Impact Measurement work.

Join us as we begin this exciting new phase of our Impact Measurement work.

Register below!

IDEA Advocacy Toolkit and GCE Policy Guide Workshop

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 15:44:11 GMT

Date: 02 December, 10.30am – 4.30pm.

Location: IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row

IDEA launched its new Advocacy Toolkit and GCE Policy Guide resource pack in early March. The advocacy toolkit and policy guide were developed for IDEA members to strengthen their capacity to effectively advocate with policymakers and to actively engage in policy processes on GCE in Ireland and the wider world.

IDEA will facilitate a full-day in-person workshop for our members on these resources in the IDEA offices on Tuesday, 02 December ,10.30am – 4.30pm. Places are limited to 15 participants and are filling up fast.

Now that Vision 2030 has been launched, this will be an opportunity for participants to conduct stakeholder mapping and to develop advocacy messages for policy priorities in Vision 2030 that are relevant to the educational setting they work in. This is a repeat of the workshop that took place in May, but participants in that workshop might find this useful as well.

A vegetarian lunch will be provided.

Deadline for registration is Wednesday, 26 November

Register below!

Code Network Meeting November 2025

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 09:40:16 GMT

Date: Wednesday 26 November, 10.00am – 3.30pm

Location: Richmond Barracks, Inchicore, Dublin 8, D08 YY05

IDEA is looking forward to welcoming all members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education to our next Code network meeting on Wednesday, 26 November, in Richmond Barracks in Inchicore, Dublin. There are places for two representatives, staff, volunteers, etc., from each Code member.

One of the commitments in joining the Code is to contribute to the Community of Practice for this Code, including sharing successes and learning with other Code members and attending at least one of two Code network meetings annually.

Registration for this event has now closed. If you have questions, or would like to attend, please contact code@ideaonline.ie.

Global Citizenship Education in Ireland to 2030 - Launch of IDEA´s new vision document

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:02:33 GMT

Date: Tuesday 21 October, 12 noon – 12.45pm

Location: Georgian Suite of Buswells Hotel, 23-27 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2

Over the past few months, IDEA and its members co-created a new strategic vision and roadmap for GCE in Ireland for the next five years. This is the successor to Vision 2025 and is called Vision 2030.

We are delighted to announce that we will launch the publication of Vision 2030 on Tuesday 21 October 2025, in the Georgian Suite of Buswells Hotel, 23-27 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, 12 noon – 12.45pm. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Speakers include:

Deputy Cathal Crowe TD, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth
Senator Alice Mary Higgins, Member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
Conor O’Leary, Community Education Facilitator, Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board
Kirsten Baltazar, Participant in STAND’s Global Citizenship Education Programme
Bobby McCormack, CEO of Development Perspectives & Chair of IDEA
Ruairí McKiernan, CEO of IDEA
Leigh Brady, Policy & Advocacy Manager, IDEA

Registration for this event is now closed. If you want to be added to the waiting list for this event please contact leigh@ideaonline.ie

Biographies

We’re Hiring - Capacity Development Programme Manager

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:50:14 GMT

We’re Hiring - Capacity Development Programme Manager

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is looking for a Capacity Development Programme Manager to join our team. This is a unique leadership opportunity to help shape the future of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Ireland and beyond.

At IDEA, we work with over 100 members, from large NGOs like Trócaire and Concern to smaller organisations and individual educators, all committed to building a more just, equal, and sustainable world. The Capacity Development Programme Manager role is central to this mission.

Key role responsibilities:

Lead IDEA’s capacity development programme , ensuring our members and the wider sector have access to high-quality training, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Design and deliver flagship events , including our annual conference, webinars, and seminars that strengthen skills, knowledge, and collaboration.
Drive innovation and impact , ensuring our programmes respond to members’ needs, emerging challenges, and international best practice.
Champion impact measurement and research , supporting our members to demonstrate the transformative power of Development and Global Citizenship Education.
Collaborate across IDEA teams on policy, advocacy, and communications, ensuring capacity-building directly contributes to systemic change.
Represent IDEA nationally and internationally , ensuring Ireland continues to be seen as a leader in the global conversation on education, equality, and sustainability.

The role offers:

A permanent contract (subject to funding)
Hybrid working based in Dublin city centre
Competitive salary, employer pension contribution and 25 days annual leave
The opportunity to work at the heart of a dynamic national network with strong international links

If you are an experienced leader with a passion for education, social justice, and building the capacity of civil society, this could be the role for you.

Deadline for applications is Monday, 13 October, 5.00pm.

Interviewees will be invited to interview on October 15th . Interviews will be held in the IDEA office on Monday October 20th.

For the full role description and application process, please download the Job Specification here

IDEA CEO Addresses Major International GCE Conference in Seoul

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:00:32 GMT

IDEA CEO, Ruairí McKiernan, was among the speakers at the recent 10th International Conference on Global Citizenship Education (IConGCED) in Seoul, co-organised by APCEIU (the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding under the auspices of UNESCO), the Korean Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UNESCO. The conference brought together more than 350 participants from 51 countries under the theme “Democracy in the Post-Truth Crisis: The Role of GCED.” Ruairí was the only Irish speaker, sharing perspectives shaped by Ireland’s history of conflict, peacebuilding, and global solidarity.

Flying the Irish flag in Seoul

In his contribution, Ruairí spoke about the urgency of defending democracy and peace in an era of rising disinformation, authoritarianism, and conflict. Drawing on his experience of growing up near the Irish border, he reflected on how easily peace can be undermined. He pointed to the dangers posed by racist anti-migrant campaigns and the war in Palestine as stark reminders of the need to protect human rights and international law.

“Hard-won peace can never be taken for granted,” he told delegates. “We must invest in peace with greater determination than is invested in war. That means dialogue, empathy, education, critical thinking, courage, and compassion.”

Ireland’s commitment to solidarity

He also highlighted Ireland’s long tradition of solidarity and global engagement. He praised the commitment of Irish Aid, championed by Minister Neale Richmond, and acknowledged the work of NGOs such as Concern Worldwide, which maintains an office in South Korea. “Ireland’s national consciousness is rooted in empathy, resistance, and solidarity,” he said. “That is why Global Citizenship Education is so central to who we are as a people.”

A vibrant GCE sector in Ireland

Ruairí spoke about Ireland’s vibrant Global Citizenship Education sector and the dedication of the many organisations and educators who sustain it. He outlined IDEA’s role as the national platform for this work, including the IDEA Code of Good Practice which supports quality, coherence, and accountability across the sector. He highlighted the importance of Irish Aid’s GCE Strategy, the Shared Island cross-border initiatives, and the Dublin Declaration on Global Education to 2050, all of which place Ireland among the leading countries advancing GCE at national and international levels. He emphasised that the strength of Ireland’s sector lies in its collaboration and its ability to connect local realities with global justice issues.

A meeting of nations and ideas

The conference created valuable opportunities to connect with international leaders, NGOs, and academics from across the Asia-Pacific and beyond. These exchanges further strengthened IDEA’s role in advancing Global Citizenship Education on a global stage.

Ruairí also met with Ambassador Michelle Winthrop at the Irish Embassy in Seoul to discuss Ireland’s investment in international development and multilateralism. He learned more about the work of Concern Worldwide in Korea, and about the remarkable role played by Irish missionaries and humanitarians who dedicated themselves to Korea, including during the Korean War. Many lost their lives while working among the poor, while others are still alive and serving today. This history of sacrifice and solidarity further underlines Ireland’s global footprint and reputation for standing with those in need.

This was Ruairí’s first return to Korea since taking part in the Korea Foundation leadership programme in 2013. Reflecting on Korea’s remarkable journey from war to democracy, he said: “It is powerful to imagine Ireland and South Korea standing together on the world stage - as champions of inclusive, thriving democracies.”

Why it matters for IDEA

For IDEA and its members, the conference reinforced the vital role of Global Citizenship Education in building resilience against disinformation, polarisation, and democratic decline. It also showcased Ireland’s contribution - through policy, practice, lived experience, and humanitarian legacy – to the global GCE community.

As Ruairí concluded in Seoul: “If ever there was a moment for courage and leadership, it is now. Let us be the voice of peace and show that even in the darkest times, peace is always possible.”

IDEA Joins 30+ Organisations Demanding Irish Government Push for UN Action on Gaza

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:03:57 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA), together with more than 30 civil society organisations, trade unions, and advocacy groups, has signed an open letter to Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tánaiste Micheál Martin.

The letter urges the Government to request that UN Secretary-General António Guterres convene an Emergency Special Session (ESS) at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September. This would activate Resolution 377, “Uniting for Peace,” enabling the General Assembly to act when the Security Council is blocked by vetoes. An ESS could pave the way for urgent measures to protect civilians in Gaza, including the establishment of a UN peacekeeping force.

The signatories emphasise Ireland’s history of leadership on Palestine and international justice, warning that civilians in Gaza face daily killings, famine, and displacement that amount to war crimes and ethnic cleansing. They call on the Government to ensure that Ireland once again shows principled leadership at the UN.

Below is the full text of the letter and list of signatories.

Open Letter to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste

Dear Taoiseach and Tánaiste,

There is an opportunity for our Government to request that the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, call an Emergency Special Session (ESS) at the forthcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting this September. The purpose of this ESS would be to discuss the situation in Gaza and to have the UN take an active role in protecting civilians – up to and including raising a peacekeeping force.

This can be done under Resolution 377, “Uniting for Peace,” which allows the UNGA to act when the UN Security Council is deadlocked by vetoes. An ESS requires a simple majority of Member States to convene, although it then requires a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to agree on proposed actions. We request that you ensure Ireland’s UN representative calls on the other 192 Member States to join this demand.

Resolution 377 can be used on occasions when the Security Council is blocked by vetoes. This is such an occasion: on 4 June 2025, a draft resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza failed to pass in the UN Security Council after the United States cast its veto - blocking an initiative backed by all ten elected members of the Council.

Emergency Special Sessions, often invoked under Resolution 377, have been used throughout UN history – including during the Korean War, the Suez Canal crisis, and in relation to Bangladesh in 1971, Afghanistan in 1980, and Israel in 1982. Most recently, it was used in 2022 in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Resolution is strong enough to give the UNGA the authority to raise a peacekeeping force.

The situation is urgent. Civilians are being killed daily by Israeli forces, whose deliberate actions are also causing famine - itself a war crime. The Irish Government has already joined the South African case at the International Court of Justice to investigate whether genocide is taking place.

Plans to bomb and destroy Gaza City, and to move the population to a so-called safe zone, are acts of ethnic cleansing and must be stopped. The Irish people have demonstrated in their protests that we are demanding action from our Government.

Irish governments have a strong track record of leadership on the issue of Palestine. Now is the time to build on that leadership.

Yours etc.,

TONY DALY, CEO, 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World
JOHN REYNOLDS, Academics for Palestine
KAROL BALFE, CEO, ActionAid
KATIE MARTIN, Coordinator, Afri
MAEVE MCLAUGHLIN, Director, Bloody Sunday Trust
STEPHEN MCCLOSKEY, Director, Centre for Global Education
CAROLINE MURPHY, CEO, Comhlámh
SEAN O'BRIAIN, Comhlámh Justice for Palestine
DERMOT BARRY, Cork Palestine Solidarity
ANNE O'BRIEN, Cork Trades Council
BOBBY MCCORMACK, CEO, Development Perspectives
DES DERWIN, Dublin Trades Council
THOMAS MCDONAGH, Director, Financial Justice Ireland
ÁINE UÍ FHOGHLÚ, Gaeil ar son Gaza
JOE O'BRIEN, Executive Director, ICCL
RUAIRÍ MCKIERNAN, CEO, IDEA
JOHN BOYLE, General Secretary, INTO
DR ANGY SKUCE, Irish Health Care Workers for Palestine
ÁINE HUTCHINSON, Ireland Palestine Mental Health Network
REBECCA O'KEEFFE and JOANNE MCDONALD, Irish Sports for Palestine
JACOB WOOLF, Jews for Palestine Ireland
REV. JOHN PARKIN, Kairos Ireland
AOIFE HERR, Mothers Against Genocide
ORLA O'CONNOR, Director, National Women’s Council
WILL HAIRE, Clerk, Ireland Yearly Meeting (Quakers)
SEÁN THIM O'LEARY, President, TCD Students’ Union
PAUL MCSWEENEY, Trade Union Friends of Palestine
SIOBHAN CURRAN, Head of Policy, Trócaire
ANTHONY QUINN, President, TUI
BRIAN CUTHBERT, Programme Director, Uplift
MARCELLA HEALY, Waterford for Palestine

IDEA Backs Call for Ireland to Join Hague Group and Help End Genocide in Palestine

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:51:19 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) has joined a growing coalition of Irish civil society groups in endorsing a critical open letter, urging the Irish government to formally join the Hague Group and push for an end to the genocide of the Palestinian people. The appeal, initiated by IDEA members Comhlámh and Afri, demands that Ireland act decisively ahead of the Hague Group’s 20 September deadline, coinciding with the 80th UN General Assembly.

Ireland has already sent a representative to participate in a recent Hague Group meeting, signalling its engagement with this urgent international initiative. However, civil society organisations stress that formal membership and full endorsement of the Group’s six measures is now essential if Ireland is to match its words with action.

Halting arms transfers to Israel.
Preventing military transit and servicing of vessels carrying such goods.
Enforcing shipping controls, including penalties like de‑flagging.
Reviewing public contracts to eliminate state support for occupation.
Pursuing national or international investigations for serious international crimes.
Enabling domestic prosecutions using international jurisdiction.

The open letter outlines grave concerns over escalating atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank, including settler violence, land dispossession, home demolitions, and forced displacement. It points out that, while UN efforts have been blocked, the Hague Group offers an immediate and tangible path toward justice.

For IDEA, the call is also about upholding the principles of Global Citizenship Education (GCE). At its core, GCE is an educational process that helps people of all ages understand global interdependence, think critically about injustice, and develop the skills to take meaningful action. It cultivates empathy, solidarity, and responsibility, encouraging learners to connect local and global struggles. Supporting the Hague Group is therefore not only a matter of foreign policy, but also an expression of Ireland’s commitment to educate for justice and to model these values in practice.

Ireland has until 20 September to join the 13 countries that have already committed to six concrete pledges at the Hague Group summit. As the deadline approaches, this coalition is calling on all TDs and Senators to publicly back Ireland’s membership, advocate for the six pledges within government ranks, and ensure that formal commitment is secured before the UN General Assembly convenes.

Find out more here.

Budget 2026: Investing in Global Citizenship Education is Investing in Global Solidarity

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:51:13 GMT

Budget 2026: Investing in Global Citizenship Education is Investing in Global Solidarity

“Ireland has received international recognition for its development education strategies… Without additional investment, we cannot seize the opportunity to turn development-aware children into development-aware adults.” - OECD DAC Peer Review of Ireland

Read IDEA’s full Pre-Budget 2026 submission here

For over half a century, Ireland has invested in Global Citizenship Education (GCE), enabling people across the island to explore complex issues such as climate justice, human rights, and equality - and to take informed action for a more just and sustainable world.

Between 2021 and 2024, €33.6 million was invested in programmes reaching over 1.2 million people, helping to embed GCE across schools, communities, and other learning spaces. This investment has made Ireland a European and global leader in the field.

But in today’s turbulent context - with rising disinformation, polarisation, climate emergencies, and deepening inequalities - the need for GCE has never been greater. As Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, told the IDEA Annual Conference in May 2025:

“Now is the time to focus on the hard issues… These are among the greatest challenges of our time.”

Why Now?

Budget 2026 comes at a critical moment. Ireland is:

Running out of time to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Preparing a new national GCE strategy for the next five years.
Operating in a global context where democratic values, human rights, and multilateral cooperation are under unprecedented strain.

The OECD has commended Ireland’s strong GCE strategies but has also warned that without additional investment, we risk falling short on SDG Target 4.7 - ensuring all learners acquire the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development.

Our Key Budget 2026 Asks:

Increase investment in GCE
Move towards the widely recognised target of 3% of Official Development Assistance (ODA), using a cross-departmental approach and accounting for inflation. Current spending is 1.2% of ODA - far below the €26 million annually needed to reach the 3% target.
Boost GCE/ESD funding under “ESD to 2030”
Provide adequate and dedicated funding for projects led by organisations, schools, and higher education institutions to ensure the successful delivery of the Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development.
Create dedicated GCE/ESD funding lines
Integrate and resource GCE/ESD within the SDG National Implementation Plan, Climate Action Plan, and National Action Plan Against Racism, recognising that climate justice and anti-racism are core components of global citizenship.
Increase Ireland’s ODA
Commit to a €300 million increase in Budget 2026 to make tangible progress towards the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA by 2030.
Adopt Coalition 2030 recommendations
Implement budget measures that ensure resources reach those furthest behind first, and align budget lines with specific SDG targets.

Beyond Funding – Policy Coherence and Decent Work

In addition to resourcing, GCE requires stronger coordination across government departments and better integration into policies, institutions, and networks. GCE practitioners must also have secure, decent working conditions in line with SDG 8, ensuring that expertise is retained within the sector.

The Opportunity for Ireland

Ireland is respected globally for its principled, values-based approach to international development. By investing in GCE now, we can:

Strengthen civic trust, participation, and resilience in our society.
Equip citizens to navigate complex global challenges.
Ensure Ireland remains a strong, independent voice for justice, solidarity, and human rights on the world stage.

Budget 2026 is our opportunity to protect the progress made, scale up impact, and deliver on our commitments.

IDEA and our members are ready to work with Irish Aid and across government to ensure Ireland continues to lead with integrity, foresight, and global solidarity.

_______________________________________________________

Read IDEA’s full Pre-Budget 2026 submission here to explore our recommendations in detail and see how, together, we can strengthen Global Citizenship Education in Ireland and beyond.

IDEA Members Summer Knowledge Share Session Catch-Up

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 21:13:31 GMT

Catch-up on a Summer of Learning!

It's never to late to catch up on our 2025 Knowledge Share summer series.

This summer we featured some great sessions hosted by our members on topics including hate speech and anti-migrant rhetoric , ending orphanage volunteering and hearing the unheard voices of migrant women in emergency accommodation in Ireland. Catch-up here anytime.

Just Care: Just Volunteering was a session about a new youth resource from Tearfund, to highlight the damage of orphanage volunteering. The session is valuable for youth workers or teachers who want to explore the issues around orphanage volunteering with young people.

The Integrate GCE resource toolkit is a valuable resource for anyone interested in addressing hate speech and anti-migrant rhetoric. Fiona Duignan, Meath Partnership shared the toolkit which has been designed for educators, youth workers, youth, migrants, community and voluntary workers. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in addressing hate speech and anti-migrant rhetoric.

A Partnership with Africa , was an interesting session for post primary educators or GCE professionals to learn about other initiatives in the sector among their peers.

Amplifying Unheard Voices was an important session for GCE practitioners to understand more about the experiences of migrant women living in emergency accommodation centres in Ireland. It was led by Euphomia Edward, AkiDwa.

Community Connections is an opportunity to learn about a new pilot project in the sector to integrate GCE into Habitat for Humaity’s social enterprise, Habitat ReStore.

Lizzy Noone, outlined why Pleasure Activism , is an important tool for GCE practitioners when activism seems increasingly demanding and draining. The Cork project, from Creativity and Change in MTU, was partly inspired by the book 'Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good' by Adrienne Maree Brown, exploring various barriers that people face in accessing pleasure, particularly those from marginalised communities.

Co-Creating Regenerative Learning in Community Spaces: Led by Suzie Cahn and Hannah Mole of Carraig Dulra, this session explored how permaculture education served as a collaborative, empowering, and regenerative force within communities. They shared stories from over a decade of co-developing an inclusive Permaculture Design Course (PDC) rooted in community action and ecological ethics.

Shifting Edges: The session was led by the team behind DEFY, a 3-year collaboration between STAND, Comhlámh, finep and Zavod-Voluntariat. Participants learnt about how to build educator reflexivity and a readiness to host others in their learning.

LYCS Global Citizenship through Theatre: Led by Ellen Corby Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS), this session covered the evaluation of LYCS Global Citizenship through Theatre programmes, and the training they offer to services interested in the use of participatory methods to explore complex social justice issues and their solutions in an active, positive way.

Call for Tender: Auditing Services

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 10:02:41 GMT

IDEA invites tender submissions from interested auditing service suppliers to provide auditing and associated professional services to the organisation from the year ending 31 December 2025. IDEA is seeking to engage an experienced auditing service firm that will provide the full range of auditing services required to fulfil its statutory obligations, to comply with relevant accounting and reporting standards and best practice.

All submissions to be made to sal@ideaonline.ie

You can find the full details here.

The deadline for the application is Monday, 11 August, 5pm .

The ABC of Global Citizenship Education 2025

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 19:09:08 GMT

Date :
Wednesday 17 September, 10.00 am - 4.00 pm
Wednesday 1 October, 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Wednesday 8 October,10.00 am - 4.00 pm

Location :
Session 1: Brandsma Hall, Carmelite Community Centre , 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2, D02 T258
Session 2: Online via Zoom
Session 3: Brandsma Hall, Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2, D02 T258

IDEA developed a training called the ‘ABC of Global Citizenship Education’ in collaboration with Concern Worldwide’s Global Citizenship team aimed at supporting newcomers to GCE to deepen their understanding and develop their skills in Global Citizenship Education delivery.

The training will:

Support educators to bring a global justice perspective to your educational work
Explore interactive and participatory approaches to Global Citizenship Education
Provide information on relevant resources and supports for your Global Citizenship Education work
Introduce you to the Code of Good Practice for Development Education
Increase understanding of the context of Global Citizenship Education in Ireland, including relevant stakeholders.

In previous years we have been joined by guest speakers – in 2023 we were joined by Dr Aoife Titley , Maynooth University, and in 2024 by the Hope & Courage Collective . In 2025, youth worker and spoken word artist Dean Oke will join us as a guest speaker for Session 2 (Wednesday 1 October) where he will share his journey into Global youth work and his approaching to exploring global justice issues with young people.

This training course was designed and delivered for the first time in 2023 and then run again in 2024.

Fees for members of IDEA is €50.00 and non-members of IDEA is €100.00. Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €3.00 - this can be paid in person.

Registration is closed for 2025 edition of this course. If you would like to enquire about future editions, please contact events@ideaonline.ie.

Biographies

Images from our 2024 training

Tender: Video Designer / Animator (Explainer + Educational Focus)

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 08:56:21 GMT

IDEA is looking for a video production company/ animator for an upcoming video project. We have funding available to create a short animated educational video resource for members as part of The Code of Good Practice. The video will help viewers understand what quality GCE is and why it matters in the world today. The intended audience for the video are people who are connected to the Code of Good Practice and GCE in their work but not yet very familiar with it e.g. non-GCE staff in member organisations, board members of member organisations, teachers, youth workers, European partners, new members to the Code and new staff to IDEA member organisations.

Please submit your CV and a short letter of interest outlining a proposal for the video (including the number of days you envisage and the fee) to code@ideaonline.ie.

The deadline for application is now extended to 06 August, 05pm.

Click here for the full terms of reference.

International GCE Exchange: Latvian Delegation Visits Dublin as Part of IDEA’s Erasmus+ Partnership

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 16:44:11 GMT

In June, a delegation from our Erasmus+ partner organisation LAPAS (Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation) visited Dublin for a two-day learning and exchange visit hosted by IDEA. The visit was part of an ongoing collaboration with LAPAS to strengthen quality global citizenship education (GCE) in Ireland and Latvia, using the IDEA Code of Good Practice as a framework. You can find out more about the Erasmus+ project here.

Five delegates from Latvia attended the events in Dublin, including one staff member from LAPAS and four educators who are members of the new Global Education network for Latvia, which has been created as part of the project. It was a real pleasure to welcome Paula Anškena (LAPAS), Lija Indāne (Riga State classical gymnasium), Laura Bužinska (Green Liberty), Agnese Koligina (Baltic Human Rights Society), and Elīza Loja (Time for Youth) to Dublin! The programme for the LAPAS delegation was designed to support LAPAS as they develop their own national version of the Code and offered opportunities for networking, peer learning, and practical exploration of quality GCE in action.

Day 1: Connecting and Learning at the Code Network Meeting

On 18 June, the LAPAS delegation joined the IDEA Code members at our Code Network Meeting at Wynn’s Hotel in Dublin. The day-long event brought together 45 educators and practitioners from the IDEA community for discussion, reflection and peer learning on quality global education. LAPAS representatives introduced their work and progress on the Code so far. They worked with IDEA members during the morning sessions to share good practice in GCE and reflect on the ‘Code Journey’ and how IDEA members incorporate the Code into their work. We shared both successes and challenges, and we will use these to inform the development of the Latvian Code. There was lots of informal networking throughout the day, and we look forward to seeing what connections develop from this.

We used the workshop space in the afternoon for a focused Erasmus+ session on critical GCE and adapting the Code in Latvia. The session began with more detailed presentations on the Latvian representatives' organisations. IDEA members had the chance to ask questions and dig deeper into GCE practice in Latvia. Georgina Eastaugh (Concern Worldwide), who is part of the Erasmus+ task group and presented at the kick-off meeting for the project in Riga , then led an activity on soft versus critical GCE. We explored the concept of soft and critical GCE as described by educator and activist, Vanessa Andreotti, and worked together to tease out what is involved in a critical approach to an action, activity or lesson. Discussions during the activity helped us to get to the root of what makes quality GCE which is at the heart of the Code of Good Practice.

Day 2: Strategic Support and GCE in Action

Thursday morning began with a project management meeting at the IDEA office where we laid out the next steps for adapting the Irish Code framework for use in Latvia and for future collaboration. This was followed by a dedicated ‘Code Clinic’ session, where LAPAS representatives and IDEA staff reflected on our learnings from the Code Network Meeting and applied these learnings to the Latvian Code and new Global Education Network.

Later, the delegation visited ECO-UNESCO, a leading Irish youth and environmental organisation and IDEA Code member. The ECO-UNESCO team gave us a warm welcome at their Dublin offices. They shared valuable insights into their work and in particular how Irish organisations implement the Code in practice.

Looking Ahead: The Next Steps in the Project

Paula Anškena, Head of Education and Sustainability at LAPAS: “This visit helped us to better understand the development of our Code of Good Practice, but most importantly, the development of it after the project ends. Besides the Code, it was the conversations and networking that made the biggest impression on the Latvian team. It's always nice to talk to like-minded people, but especially during these hard times when the strength of democracy has been tested again and again.”

The visit marked another milestone in the collaboration between Irish and Latvian GCE actors and reinforced a shared commitment to strengthening global education practice across Europe. We feel energised by the connections made over this visit and we’re looking forward to building more on those with online meetings between the IDEA and LAPAS GCE communities in the Autumn. On a national level, IDEA’s Erasmus+ task group is developing a visual or video resource on quality, critical GCE to support members in Ireland in introducing the concepts at the centre of quality GCE and the Code to new audiences, be they colleagues, educators, organisations abroad, or members of the public.

As the project progresses, we are excited to continue learning from our peers in Latvia and expanding the reach of quality, critical GCE through the IDEA Code of Good Practice.

Now is the Time to Reinforce Messages of Global Solidarity - Minister Neale Richmond TD

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:24:04 GMT

Now is the time to reinforce messages of global solidarity.

This year our Annual Conference 2025 Reclaiming Ground for Hope, Alternatives, and Action brought together educators, community leaders, artists and activists from across Ireland, to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine the role of transformative education in building a better future.

In the morning, the conference was addressed by Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD . Addressing members, he spoke about the importance of GCE for our society. He also re-affirmed Irish Aid’s commitments to Overseas Development Aid and Global Citizenship Education funding.

“Examining and discussion complex global issues can be daunting, but they also foster values of equality and human rights which can enable us all the become informed global citizens; able for active democratic participation and able to stand up for others to have this right too."

Now is the time to reinforce messages of global solidarity.”

The Minister also stressed the importance of effectiveness and impact for Irish Aid and urged members to bring these issues to ‘the next level’.

“But in this environment, it is incumbent on every one of us implementing projects and programmes with Irish Aid funding to focus relentlessly on the impact and on reaching the furthest behind first. We need to demonstrate that impact with increased effectiveness across the whole Irish Aid programme.

We have invested over €33.6million in support to our GCE partners since Irish Aid's Global Citizenship Education Strategy was launched in 2021 by Simon Coveney. That commitment delivered by many partners here today underpins the importance of supporting critical thinking and public awareness of these rapidly changing and interdependent issues. We need to bring that critical thinking to all our work.”

You can watch the full video below!

IDEA AGM 2025

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 10:08:08 GMT

Date: Friday 27 June, 10.00am – 12.00pm

Location: Online

IDEA's Annual General Meeting 2025 will take place Friday 27 June, 10.00am – 12.00pm. The link to the event will be shared with registered participants closer to the time.

Members will be asked about accessibility needs in the registration form. It is particularly important to register by 20 June so that we can ensure the event is as accessible as possible.

You must be a member of IDEA to attend. If you have any questions about your IDEA membership for 2025 please contact sal@ideaonline.ie.

President Higgins Receives 'Voice for Humanity' Award at IDEA Conference

Wed, 28 May 2025 16:57:59 GMT

IDEA Members Honour Michael D. Higgins at Annual Conference

Approximately 200 educators, artists and activists honoured President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins with the inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award at the IDEA annual conference, which took place this week in Malahide, Dublin. IDEA members presented President Higgins' with the award in recognition of his commitment to justice, equality, and global citizenship education throughout his life.

You can watch the full video of his address below!

Speaking at the event award recipient President Michael D. Higgins said;

“May I thank the Irish Development Education Association for this great honour, the Global Voice for Humanity Award, for which I am most grateful. I have always viewed education as a catalyst for social change, and that is why the work of the Irish Development Education Association is so important. The need to cultivate independent thought, and to create mechanisms to ensure that everyone across our shared, vulnerable planet in peril has access to quality learning opportunities is a fundamental necessity for a fruitful, vibrant and participative life. May I take this opportunity to thank all those operating, in whatever your field, for your passion and your unwavering commitment to social justice globally, to development education, global citizenship education and the advancement of a strong and ethical global consciousness. I will continue to champion your causes.”

Speaking at the event, the CEO of the Irish Development Education Association, Ruairí McKiernan said

"The role of Global Citizenship Education educators in Ireland cannot be underestimated. The climate emergency, global instability, and far-right extremism, misinformation and racism have increased the need for Global Citizenship Education now more than ever in our society. Educators are at the frontline of countering division by creating opportunities to learn about the world, the interconnectedness of the challenges we face, and how we can take positive action in ways that build bridges and foster hope. President Higgins has inspired many of the educators leading Global Citizenship Education in Ireland today, and we are privileged to honour him with our inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award." said Ruairi.

IDEA to Honour President Higgins at Annual Conference

Mon, 12 May 2025 14:47:32 GMT

IDEA to Honour President Higgins with Inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award at Annual Conference

IDEA is deeply honoured to announce that we will be presenting President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins with our inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award at the IDEA annual conference on Wednesday, 28 May at the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Dublin.

The Global Voice for Humanity Award has been created by IDEA to honour individuals whose life and work exemplify the values at the heart of Global Citizenship Education and Development Education - values such as justice, human dignity, solidarity, critical thinking, and the power of education to transform lives and societies.

As Ireland’s national network for Development Education and Global Citizenship Education, IDEA represents over 100 organisations and educators working to foster global justice through learning. The award seeks to celebrate those who have used their voice, leadership, and vision to inspire positive change - both within Ireland and globally.

It is difficult to imagine a more fitting first recipient than President Higgins . A former academic and lecturer, poet, parliamentarian, Minister for the Arts, and now President of Ireland, he has spent his life standing up for the marginalised, promoting peace and equality, and advocating for a fairer world. Through his words and his actions, he has consistently reflected the values that guide the Global Citizenship Education community.

“President Higgins has long been a rare kind of leader - someone who combines intellectual courage with deep humanity. He has spent a lifetime speaking out against injustice, standing with the marginalised, and challenging us to think critically and act with compassion. Through his words, his leadership, and his example, he has inspired generations across Ireland and beyond to believe in the power of education and the responsibility of citizenship. In honouring him with the Global Voice for Humanity Award, we’re not only recognising his legacy - we’re celebrating the values that drive our work every day: justice, dignity, solidarity, and hope. It’s a privilege to honour him in the company of our members and the wider community at a time when those values are needed more than ever.” Ruairí McKiernan, CEO of IDEA

The award will be presented during a special ceremony from 12-1pm , as part of IDEA’s all-day Annual Conference 2025 .

Neale Richmond, Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora will address the conference, which will be attended by organisations and educators across the Global Citizenship Education and Development Education sector.

IDEA Conference 2025

The theme of this year’s conference, “Reclaiming Ground for Hope, Alternatives, and Action” invites us to come together to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine the role of transformative education in building a better future.

The IDEA Annual Conference 2025 brings together educators, community leaders, artists, activists, and change-makers for a day of music, workshops, fireside chats, panel discussions , and shared learning.

This year’s powerful line-up of speakers includes :

Grace Dyas - award-winning artist, activist, and director

Joe Caslin - street artist and educator whose public work has inspired national conversations

Dean Oke - youth worker and spoken word artist using creativity for social impact

Neale Richmond - Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for International Development and Diaspora

Senator Lynn Ruane - Senator and lifelong campaigner for equality and community justice

Seán McCabe - Head of Climate Justice at Bohemian FC, bridging sport and social change

Donnah Vuma - human rights advocate and migrant justice leader

And many more contributors across education, activism, and creative practice.

This will be a landmark moment for the IDEA community - a day to pause, honour, connect, and gather strength for the work ahead. It will also be an opportunity to come together in deep appreciation of a President whose life’s work reflects the very spirit of global solidarity and justice we strive to nurture every day - through education, community, and courageous action. We hope you’ll join us.

Please note: Attendance is by registration only and spaces are almost fully booked. A few final places remain - once full, a waiting list will be established.

Conference details & registration

For any questions relating specifically to the awards ceremony , please contact: ruairi@ideaonline.ie

IDEA’s Lab 2025: Co-Creating Equity-Driven Solutions in GCE

Fri, 02 May 2025 14:21:52 GMT

Updated!

Dates:
Part 1: Friday 11 July, 10.00am-4.30pm, in-person.
Part 2: C o-designed with participants, 12 September, Online, 10.00am-12.00pm

Location:

Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin, D02 R598

We are now taking registration for our updated 2025 iteration of the IDEA's Lab on the theme "Co-Creating Equity-Driven Solutions in Global Citizenship Education". Based on feedback from members, we will now conduct a two-part workshop instead of a residential training. Part 1 will be held on 11 Friday July, 10.00am-4.30pm. We expect part 2 to take place end of August/early September.

The format and focus for part 2 will be co-designed with participants based on the outcome of part 1.

Join us for a full-day interactive workshop designed to help members co-create equity-rooted Global Citizenship Education (GCE) ideas. Grounded in the Double Diamond design thinking model, this session will explore with practitioners new design and working methods.

We will discuss self-care, participatory and justice-centred approaches, barriers to meaningful engagement with marginalised communities, inclusion, co-agency, accessibility and much more. The workshop will be centred on equity and collective transformation and through storytelling, visualisation, and co-design, participants will develop practical insights to guide their work.

This event is only open to members of IDEA. Each participant is however encouraged to bring a team member/colleague along, who could be a member, non-member or even work outside of the sector.

There is a fee to attend this event.

Fees for members of IDEA is €50

Bring a colleague along: 2 for 1 Offer

Please let us know if the fee is a barrier to your participation by writing to Anya anya@ideaonline.ie

Code Network Meeting 2025

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:14:05 GMT

Date: Wednesday 18 June, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Location: Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1

IDEA is looking forward to welcoming all members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education to our upcoming Code network meeting on Wednesday 18 June, in Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1. There are places for two representatives (staff, volunteers etc.) from each Code member.

We are very excited to be joined at the meeting by 5 representatives from LAPAS , who IDEA has partnered with on the Erasmus+ project ‘GCE Code of Good Practice & Community of Practice: Ireland & Latvia’. You can find more information on the project here .

One of the commitments in joining the Code is to contribute to the Community of Practice for this Code including sharing successes and learning with other Code members and attending at least one of two Code network meetings annually.

Registration for this event has now closed. If you have questions, or would like to attend, please contact code@ideaonline.ie.

Catch up on our Palestine Webinar

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 09:41:11 GMT

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!

The webinar had voices from Northern Ireland, Palestine, academic researchers and teachers offering powerful perspectives and practical supports for educators.

We examined our responsibilities as educators when we discuss conflict-related violence and displacement? What approaches can we use to do this?

A native of Belfast, Brendan Ciarán Browne , PhD, FTCD is Assistant Professor of Conflict Resolution, and a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin opened the webinar with a passionate input. He has spent much of his professional career working in Palestine or focused on the Palestinian struggle, anticolonialism and resistance.

“As educators we must be continuously educating ourselves, understanding and be truly committed. The cause of liberation of Palestine required you to be up-to-date not only on the foundational work... but the swathes of materials being produced by our colleagues in Palestine, [who] are being erased off the face of the earth. You have to be committed to do the educational work yourself.”

“You have to unashamedly declare your position as being against anti-Palestinian racism. As being for Palestinian determination and resistance. If you can’t make that commitment, then you don’t have a right to occupy the space to talk about Palestine. Many people have vulnerabilities that undermine their ability to do this. If you have those vulnerabilities, we are sympathetic but if that is the case- vacate the space.”

“Let’s own our language. Let’s be bold and determined to call Zionism what it is.”

Watch his full input below!

Bana Abu Zuluf is a Palestinian educator and interdisciplinary PhD researcher in International Law in the School of Law and Criminology in Maynooth, Ireland. Bana focused on demystifying Palestine

“I know people are keeping an eye on what’s happening in Gaza but they are not understanding it in the broader light of Zionism and its project in Palestine. There is a danger tendency to complicate what’s going on in Palestine. In fact, it’s quite simple.”

“Looking at settler colonialism and the displacement of Palestinians... it’s very important not to focus on certain events but to focus on it as a structure. I think educators need to focus on it has a structure. And when speaking about genocide they need to relate to it as a part of colonial erasure.”

“I want educators to go deeper and look into Zionism as a settler colonial ideology. The issue here is that the people see Israel, Zionism, and settler colonialism. They don’t really merge those together.”

Check out her full input below!

Andrew Phelan , co-founder of Teachers for Palestine offered more practical insights from his perspective as a Post-Primary Physical Education teacher, currently teaching in a school in Dublin and how Teachers for Palestine began. He gave a fast paced tour of all the ways which teachers can educate about Palestine.

“We noticed... you can’t do that fundraiser here, or you can’t teach about that history in your class. You can’t bring in a speaker from Palestine here. You can’t do those things. Because it’s too political is what Principals were saying. This is not coming from the Department of Education.... because some Principals were doing it and doing a fantastic job.”

“We started to look at all the different subjects, and it’s very important to see there’s lots of different avenues in our curriculum. There are loads and loads of opportunities and there’s actually no excuse for us not to teach it.”

Andrew took participants through the Let’s Talk About Palestine resources for educators LetsTalkAboutPalestine “You don’t have to go to your Principal. You can just teach your subject using the curriculum and using Palestine as your lense. There’s really no excuse there.”

You can watch Andrew's input in a video below!

Finally, Aline Batarseh, Executive Director of Visualizing Palestine. Aline is a Palestine from occupied Jerusalem, based in the US. Aline talked about Visualizing Palestine and their approach using data and research to visually communicate Palestinian experiences and provoke a change of traditional narratives. She also spoke about how educators can practically use the resources when you are educating about Palestine.

“We have to address what’s happening in Palestine as a whole rather than as a fragment. This is a challenge when we talk about Gaza. The Israeli genocide in Gaza is not an isolated incident and it is our responsibility to place it in historical context. During the Nakba commemoration in 2024 we produced this visual to really show this ongoing Nakba, this ongoing expulsion, ongoing destruction of homes of villages of people’s lives, ongoing massacres, ongoing colinisation and Zionist idealogy.

See Aline's input below!

IDEA’s Erasmus+ Project Kicks Off in Riga: Strengthening Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Ireland and Latvia

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 15:10:45 GMT

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.

Day 1: A Day of Learning and Sharing around Quality GCE

The first day of the event was dedicated to a training session delivered by the IDEA delegation for LAPAS members and staff. The session began with a deep dive into what GCE mean for LAPAS members in the context of different organisations and education spaces. The conversation covered topics such as Vaness Andreotti’s ‘soft versus critical’ approaches to GCE and discussions on the global and local justice issues that are most pressing for educators in Latvia. IDEA staff Elaine and Aine provided an overview of the IDEA Code of Good Practice as it is applied in Ireland, drawing on the experiences and learnings from the Irish Erasmus+ project task group. This was followed by three insightful case studies from the IDEA members who showed how the Code is applied to their work in practice. It was inspiring and motivating to hear how our members have integrated the Code into their work and to really see its impact on the work of their organisations.

During the afternoon session, the Latvian practitioners applied some of the Principles of the Irish Code of Good Practice to their own work. The rest of the session, which took place in Latvian, provided space for the Latvian members to reflect on their own challenges and aspirations for GCE in Latvia, and to begin the development of their Code. IDEA is excited to continue to support the Latvian members in this process!

Day 2: Connecting with Government and Grassroots Organisations

Day two began with a meeting with the Latvian Ministry of Education & Science. The Ministry are important actors in GCE in Latvia and some Ministry staff had attended IDEA’s training for LAPAS on the previous day. We were glad to have the opportunity to talk more with them following this. We spoke about the importance of GCE globally and in Ireland, and the IDEA delegation shared their experience of how GCE is integrated in Ireland in formal education, youth work and adult & community education.

The IDEA delegation also had the opportunity to meet with LAPAS member organisation KlubsMaja. KlubsMaja are a dynamic and truly youth-led youth organisation based in Riga. The passionate volunteers from KlubsMaja shared their work with the UN youth delegate programme and their information campaigns for young people in Latvia. Their stories highlighted the important role young people play in education around global justice issues.

The day concluded with a warm welcome from the Irish Ambassador to Latvia, Eimear Friel. We introduced the IDEA Code and our Erasmus+ project with Latvia, and chatted about everything from Irish/Latvian connections to the transformative power of storytelling, literature and libraries.

Looking Ahead: The Next Steps in the Project

The next phase of the project will take place in the coming months, where IDEA and LAPAS members will reconnect, both online and in person when the LAPAS delegation join the IDEA Code network meeting in Dublin on 18 June. We will hear updates on the progress of the Code for GCE in Latvia, and IDEA members will share their experiences and support LAPAS members with any challenges or questions they have around the Code. We’re looking forward to learning about the different education and justice contexts in Ireland and Latvia.

On a national level, IDEA’s Erasmus+ task group will develop a visual or video resource on quality, critical GCE to support members in Ireland in introducing the concepts at the centre of quality GCE and the Code to new audiences, be they colleagues, educators, organisations abroad, or members of the public.

As the project progresses, we are excited to continue learning from our peers in Latvia and expanding the reach of quality, critical GCE through the IDEA Code of Good Practice.

IDEA Advocacy Toolkit and GCE Policy Guide Workshop

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 09:13:54 GMT

Date: 06 May, 10.30am – 4.30pm.

Location: IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row

IDEA will facilitate a full-day in-person workshop on these resources in the IDEA offices on Tuesday, 06 May ,10.30am – 4.30pm. Places are limited to 20 participants and will be given on a first come, first served basis. Each participant will receive a hard copy of the resource pack, which includes a Background Note, the Advocacy Toolkit, the Policy Guide to Global Citizenship Education in Ireland and the Wider World and an A1 poster of the GCE policy map at four levels - global, European, national and local.

Lunch will be provided.

Register below!

Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education: Between Neutrality and Militarisation

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 15:25:08 GMT

Date: Wednesday 30 April, 12.30-2.00pm

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)

Disclaimer

Speakers

Moderator

Catch up on our ‘Climate Justice, the Missing Voices’ webinar

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:18:46 GMT

IDEA's ‘Climate Justice, the Missing Voices’ webinar gave some invaluable insights about how women, marginalised communities, people with disabilities and young people are working for climate justice.

Vanessa Conroy is a policy specialist who worked on Ireland's first report examining the inclusion of women and communities in climate policies. Vanessa focused on learning from ‘Feminist Communities for Climate Justice’, a joint project between the National Women’s Council and Community Work Ireland, examining climate justice through a feminist and community work lens.

Also, check out this fascinating overview in the video below!

Sumaya Mohammed is a youth climate justice activist from Cork and founder of the Students’ Climate Action Network (SCAN), a national network of students and teachers advocating for climate justice. Sumaya offered the perspective of young people and their passion and impatience for progress. “We see mainstream environmentalism is historically being dominated by white middle-class perspectives...” Sumaya highlighted her experience at COP conferences as “dystopian and needing reform”.

Claire Kenny a disability advocate & policy specialist with Independent Living Movement Ireland, echoed the findings of the 'Feminist Communities for Climate Justice' report highlighting the lack of inclusion for people with disabilities around issues such as housing and climate adaptation. “Climate action must not undermine our commitments to include disabled people.”

Our host was Valery Molay a climate and racial justice policy expert and activist with Women Engage for a Common Future, a feminist sustainable development network reaching across 70 countries.

Catch up with full video below!

IDEA Annual Conference 2025

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:37:00 GMT

Reclaiming Ground for Hope, Alternatives, and Action

Date: Wednesday 28 May, 10.30am - 5.00pm

Location: Grand Hotel Malahide, Malahide, Co. Dublin, K36 XT65

Around the world, the threats of climate breakdown, genocide, and the stripping back of human rights are accelerating daily. At the same time, the escalation of disinformation, militarism, extremism, and authoritarianism undermines hard-won battles for equality and social justice at many levels of society. As educators whose work is centred on global justice and solidarity, what is our role in reclaiming ground to imagine, explore, and create alternatives to this current reality? As practitioners of Global Citizenship Education, what can we do to retain focus and remain energised, active, and hopeful in unlocking alternatives for a better world?

Join us at the IDEA Annual Conference 2025 to hear from inspiring educators, thinkers, leaders, and activists who will share their experiences of co-creating change and reclaiming ground for social and global justice. This year, we are honoured to present President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins with the inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award , recognising his lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and education. The award ceremony will feature a special musical performance by acclaimed composer and violinist Colm Mac Con Iomaire .

The conference will also feature contributions from a diverse lineup of speakers:

Grace Dyas: Award-winning artist and activist known for her work addressing social justice issues through theatre and film.
Joe Caslin: Renowned street artist whose large-scale murals highlight themes such as mental health and LGBTQ+ rights.
Dean Oke: Youth worker and spoken word artist focusing on empowering young people through creativity and social impact.
Lynn Ruane: Independent Irish politician and advocate for marginalized communities, with a background in community drug services.
Seán McCabe: Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability at Bohemian Football Club, engaging communities in climate transition initiatives.
Donnah Sibanda Vuma: Human rights advocate supporting migrant and refugee victims of exploitation and violence.

Come together with other IDEA members to share challenges and successes, and to reflect on the ways Global Citizenship Education can contribute to a fairer world. This conference will provide an opportunity to strengthen our collective work – through education – to reclaim space for hope, alternatives, and action.

Find out more

The event has sold out, please email Áine at aine@ideaonline.ie to be added to the waiting list

If you have any specific questions regarding the award ceremony, please email ruairi@ideaonline.ie .

Disclaimer

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.

Call for Tender: Analysis of Data from 2024 - Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:10:18 GMT

IDEA is seeking a researcher to analyse the data gathered during 2024 as part of the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education (DE) in Ireland. The research will examine what the Code data represents about Development Education practice in Ireland including strengths, gaps, innovation, and how this data can help articulate the impact of DE in Ireland.

The research will culminate in a report reflecting insights and observations by the researcher, findings on the impact of the DE sector in Ireland, and potential areas for future strategic development of the Code.

The deadline for application is Wednesday, 23 April.

Please contact code@ideaonline.ie for any questions.

Full terms of reference are available here

Vision 2030 Online Consultation Workshop - shaping a new vision for Development Education/GCE in Ireland

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:37:28 GMT

Date: Thursday 10 April, 11.00am - 1.00pm

Location: Online/Zoom

Vision 2025 - Towards a Society of Global Citizens  was produced by IDEA in 2021, based on the inputs, knowledge, and expertise of a cross-section of members. In 2022, it was updated again in consultation with members. Now we would like to produce Vision 2030 - Towards a Society of Global Citizens (working title) - a fresh vision and roadmap for Development Education/GCE in Ireland for the coming five years. This vision and roadmap will guide us in our work towards co-creating a society of global citizens in Ireland, during the term of the current Government and Oireachtas and in the last phase of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We invite members to join us on Thursday 10 April to participate in an online consultation workshop as part of the process of developing Vision 2030. Together we will co-create a valuable shared tool to communicate the overall collective vision and roadmap for DE/GCE on the island of Ireland as well as the vision and aims of DE/GCE practitioners for the formal education and non-formal education sector with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, decision-makers and decision-influencers at national and local level.

This event is for IDEA Members only!

Please register below!

Vision 2030 In-person Consultation Workshop - shaping a new vision for Development Education/GCE in Ireland

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:25:59 GMT

Date: Tuesday 8 April, 10.00am-2.00pm

Location: IDEA Offices, 6 Gardiner Row

  Vision 2025 - Towards a Society of Global Citizens  was produced by IDEA in 2021, based on the inputs, knowledge, and expertise of a cross-section of members. In 2022, it was updated again in consultation with members. Now we would like to produce  Vision 2030   - Towards a Society of Global Citizens  (working title) - a fresh vision and roadmap for Development Education/GCE in Ireland for the coming five years. This vision and roadmap will guide us in our work towards co-creating a society of global citizens in Ireland, during the term of the current Government and Oireachtas and in the last phase of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

We invite IDEA members to join us on Tuesday, 8 April, to participate in an in-person consultation workshop as part of the process of developing Vision 2030. Together, we will co-create a valuable shared tool to communicate the overall collective vision and roadmap for DE/GCE on the island of Ireland as well as the vision and aims of DE/GCE practitioners for the formal education and non-formal education sector with a range of stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, decision-makers and decision-influencers at national and local level.

We will provide lunch at this event.

This event is for IDEA Members only!

Register below!

Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education: Palestine

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 15:40:45 GMT

Date: Wednesday 02 April, 12.30-2.30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Join us for the second session of our 2025 webinar series: "Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education "entitled "Palestine: educating about conflict-related violence, displacement, and justice ". It will be held online, Wednesday April 2, from 12.30-2.30pm.

Last year, we hosted one of our webinar sessions on educators’ responses to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The event aimed to equip those working in Global Citizenship Education with ways foundational knowledge to bring Gaza into their work as educators. A recording of the session is available online .

This year we will explore the current war on Gaza but also the long-standing oppression and conflict in Palestine through the lens of peace and justice. What are our responsibilities as educators when we discuss conflict-related violence and displacement. What approaches can we use to do this? How do we ensure dignity and solidarity are central to our practice?

We will explore these concepts with a variety of speakers that can help contextualise those issues in the reality of the Palestinian struggle, and also hear from educator’s’ experiences to learn from their practice.

Disclaimer

Speakers

Moderator

Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education: Climate Justice, the missing voices

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 17:35:07 GMT

Date: Wednesday 19 March, 12.30-2pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Join us for the first session of our 2025 webinar series: "Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education". The session kicking off this year's series is entitled "Climate Justice, the missing voices" and will be held on Wednesday, 19th March, online from 12.30-2.00pm.

Climate change is one of the major crises of our times. As educators, we seek to address gaps in our knowledge, acknowledge bias in our understanding and spotlight voices from diverse groups affected by the issue. This webinar will equip educators to address some of these gaps when we educate about Climate Change and Climate Justice. What are the consequences and risks for women and marginalized communities to be left out of the picture? How should their experience of environmental collapse guide our Development Education/Global Citizenship Education programmes?

We will introduce concepts of “intersectional feminism”, climate justice, and the differential impact of climate change on marginalised communities. Speakers will include those working on climate justice from a variety of perspectives to illustrate and translate these abstract notions into a real-life context locally and globally. Participants will be equipped with more perspectives on climate justice and a deeper understanding of the experience of those directly affected by climate breakdown. Participants will also have time dedicated to a Question & Answer session.

Image Credit: Markus Spiske

Attribution: Unsplash

 Disclaimer

Biographies

Moderator

Speakers

Board Member with HR/People and Culture Expertise

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 12:45:51 GMT

IDEA is seeking a new Board (National Council) member with significant experience in human resources (HR) and people and culture. This is a voluntary role, and the successful candidate will provide strategic HR insight to support the development of IDEA’s people and culture strategy.

The right candidate will play a key role in contributing to IDEA’s governance, ensuring the organisation has strong HR strategies and policies to support its mission and objectives.

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is the national network for global citizenship and development education in Ireland. We support and represent members to ensure that everyone in Ireland has access to quality development education to become active global citizens. Our work strengthens global citizenship education by building expertise, fostering collaboration, and influencing policy.

Our values are rooted in social justice, equality, and sustainability, and we work collectively to build a more just, sustainable, and equal world.

Governance

IDEA is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, governed by a voluntary Board (National Council) that provides strategic oversight. The National Council consists of individuals with governance skills relevant to the development education sector. IDEA is committed to the highest standards of governance and complies with the Charities Governance Code.

Key Responsibilities

Chair the Remuneration & Nominations Committee, leading discussions on HR policy, recruitment, and governance matters.

Provide HR expertise and guidance in areas such as organisational culture, workforce planning, and people development.

Support the review and implementation of HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with best practices in the not-for-profit sector.

Advise on staff wellbeing, diversity, equity, and inclusion matters.

Offer guidance on best practice HR management, supporting IDEA’s leadership team in people-related decision-making.

Work collaboratively with other Board members to provide strategic oversight and ensure IDEA meets its governance responsibilities.

Time Commitment

Board meetings: Six times per year, hybrid, typically 5.00pm-7.30pm.

Board development day: One in-person meeting per year, typically in January.

Annual General Meeting (AGM): Attendance required (approx 2.5 hours hybrid or online)

Committee work: This role includes chairing the Remuneration & Nominations Committee, which meets via Zoom 2-4 times per year.

Term of Appointment

Board members serve a three-year term, with the option for reappointment for a second term.

Who Should Apply?

We welcome applications from candidates who have:

Experience in HR, People & Culture

A passion for social justice, education, sustainability

Previous Board experience (desirable but not required)

Knowledge of the not-for-profit or education sector (desirable but not required)

Experience in modern hybrid work environments

How to Apply

If you are interested in this role, please apply via Boardmatch or if you have specific questions, please contact sal@ideaonline.ie. Recruitment will be via a selection committee that includes an external consultant with relevant expertise.

IDEA is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

The deadline of application is 24 March, 9.00am.

Tips from the Educators’ Guide to Depolarisation

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:57:15 GMT

Whether it’s local immigration policy, global trade tariffs or transgender policies the world seems to be at odds. As educators we often work with groups where the participants have polar opposite views on many issues. A group of people may see the world so differently but what happens when we want that group to work together, build a connection or feel safe and inclusive for everyone?

Recently IDEA hosted training on the Educator’s Guide to Depolarisation, a toolkit and guide developed by the DARE Project (Depolarisation Activism for Resilient Europe).

The room was full of energy and enthusiasm. But given the reality facing our world today feelings of concern and fear for the future were also expressed. With good reason.

The Educators’ Guide to Deploratisation, a 2-day training, looked to enhance IDEA members’ skills in successfully engaging with polarising topics and views and establishing a dialogue where before there was only opposition.

At depolarisation training we approach conflict as an interpersonal and social inevitability rather than something that should be avoided to ‘keep the peace’. We then focus on our own power to transform disagreement and diversity of views into constructive engagement.

How to convince people to think like us?

One of first steps many of us struggle with when we begin to explore depolarisation, even with our own professional experience as GCE educators, is letting go of the desire to make everyone think like us and agree with us. Our desire to make the world a better place can often stand in our way. This desire can prevent us from connecting with other people and their views. But connection is critical for depolarisation.

Dialogue vs Debate?

Some tips from the Educators’ Guide to Depolarisation training includes the ‘Debate vs Dialogue’ challenge. When you are in conversation with a colleague or facilitating a conversation with a group you need to identify is this ‘a dialogue’ or ‘a debate’. Do you know the difference?

Do you want to win the argument?

Do you want to understand different perspectives?

Are you listening to find flaws?

Are you listening to understand?

Are you speaking based on your assumptions about other people’s motivations?

Are you speaking only from your own understanding?

Depolarisation; No winners, only learners.

To learn more about having or facilitating difficult discussions the Educators’ Guide to Depolarisation provides tools to guide educators through uncomfortable conversations.

A group will get closer by learning and asking questions of each other rather than simply stating their own beliefs. So, what’s the origin of our different beliefs?

Is a group disagreeing on immigration/ Trump/ transgender policies?

Try to have a difficult conversation by asking both sides 5 questions.

Do you recall when you heard about or experienced this issue first?
Why is this so important and difficult to just 'agree to disagree'?
Mirror as best you can what you have heard from your conversation partner- why is this so important?
If you woke up tomorrow in a world where the opposite of your belief is the status quo- how would you feel?
Is there a way to prevent this issue?

Finally, ask people to reflect what they have learned from each other.

Being able to have a dialogue that doesn’t descend into a debate with winners and losers is one big step for any group. Along the journey to depolarisation there can be no winners, only learners.

If you missed the IDEA training with Hermes, explore the Educators’ Guide to Depolarisation training, toolkit and resources here

IDEA Global Education Champion Candidate Pledge 2025

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 18:02:51 GMT

With the polling for the 2025 Seanad Election under way, IDEA has been advocating with election candidates to sign our Global Education Champion pledge

Global Education Champion Pledge

Mindful of the critical challenges facing our world, including climate change, poverty, inequality, war and conflict, I hereby pledge to become a Global Education Champion. If elected, I commit to championing Global Education in pursuit of a fairer and more sustainable future for all, by advocating for increased cross-departmental investment and support for Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship, and its expansion across all sectors—formal, non-formal, and informal.

The following candidates have signed the pledge so far:

If you are a candidate who would like to sign it or if you are a member of IDEA and would like to send the pledge to candidates, please contact Leigh at leigh@ideaonline.ie

Tender: Project Coordination & Facilitation for “Shared Island, Shared World, Shared Future

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 17:07:28 GMT

Project Overview:
The initiative, led by Dóchas, CADA, and IDEA, seeks to enhance cross-border collaboration on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) across the island of Ireland. It builds on the momentum of the 2022 “Shared Future” conference, focusing on practical challenges and opportunities in implementing an all-island GCE vision, guided by IDEA’s Code of Good Practice for Development Education.

Please see the summary info below. The full terms of reference is here.

Scope of Work:
The consultant(s) will coordinate and facilitate a series of workshops and events between January and December 2025, aiming to:

Address obstacles to cross-border GCE implementation.

Foster dialogue on GCE practices and their impact on border communities.

Use IDEA’s Code of Good Practice as a structured framework for discussions.

Deliverables:

Organise and facilitate six workshops/events (online and in-person).

Develop materials, promotional content, and a final report documenting activities, outcomes, and recommendations for practitioners and policymakers.

Engage stakeholders, manage logistics, and monitor timelines and budgets.

Qualifications Required:

Proven experience in project coordination and facilitation, particularly in GCE or cross-border projects.

Strong organisational, communication, and virtual platform skills.

Familiarity with the GCE sector and IDEA’s Code of Good Practice.

Budget:
The maximum budget for this project is €15,000, inclusive of VAT and any applicable taxes. Additional expenses must be agreed in advance.

Application Details:

Please read full terms of reference before applying: here

Submit an expression of interest, including skills, experience, methodology, and rates, by 9.00 am, 05 February 2025 to anna@dochas.ie.

The project will commence in mid-February 2025.

Workshop: Healthy Conflict & Constructive Dialogue - Educators' Guide to Depolarisation

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 15:31:03 GMT

Date: Tuesday 18 February 10.30 am - 4pm, Wednesday 19 February 10.00 am - 3pm

Location: Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin, D02 R598

This 2-part training workshop is being provided by IDEA to support educators in practically addressing and successfully engaging with polarising views and topics when carrying out GCE/DE programmes and activities.

IDEA has invited Tvrtko Pater a trainer from HERMES , Croatia to introduce participants to a guide developed by the DARE Project ('Depolarisation Activism for Resilient Europe'). The guide is a practical toolkit for educators engaging with learners on all issues related to Global Citizenship Education and aims to support educators to confidently deal with polarising views and controversial topics. The guide contains both a theoretical section which uncovers the psychology and sociology of polarisation in society, and is followed by a vast number of exercises and skill-building activities that seek to empower individuals to seek out, engage with and enter into dialogue with people whose views (radically) differ from their own on questions of identity, belonging, discrimination, globalization, and power inequalities. Over the course of two full days, the trainer Tvrtko Pater, will run you through the toolkit step by step, using practical examples of methodologies and approaches, and support you in bringing them to your own educational context and practice.

The DARE project is a strategic partnership between five civil society organisations from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Serbia and Sweden. It was created to inspire a critical learning space and youth-led and action-oriented dialogue about various contemporary challenges such as polarisation, radicalisation, mental health, human rights violations. The method’s theoretical background is inspired by and rooted in Narrative Therapy, Positive Youth Development, Non-Violent Communication approaches, Critical Pedagogy, Conflict Transformation and Bohmian Dialogue.

Please note that there is a fee to attend this event.

Fees for members of IDEA is €50

Fees for non-members of IDEA is €100.00.

Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €3.00 - this can be paid in person.

Registration has now closed. Please email anya@ideaonline.ie to be added to the waiting list.

The training takes place in person in Dublin over two full days. Places are limited and priority will be given to participants who can attend in full for both days.

A print-out copy of the guide will be distributed on the day, please let us know in the comment box as you register if you do not desire a hardcopy.

Image Credit: Jenkin Shen

Attribution: Pexels.com

Biographies

IDEA Global Education Champion Candidate Pledge

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:33:19 GMT

With the General Election around the corner, IDEA has been advocating with election candidates to sign our Global Education Champion pledge

Global Education Champion Pledge

The following candidates have signed the pledge so far:

Our candidate pledge aligns with IDEA’s election manifesto for the General Election 2024, which can be read here .

If you are a candidate who would like to sign it or if you are a member of IDEA and would like to send the pledge to candidates, please contact Leigh at leigh@ideaonline.ie

IDEA Election Manifesto 2024

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 09:24:56 GMT

IDEA Election Manifesto 2024

Ireland in a Changed and Turbulent World: A Manifesto for a Society Ready to Overcome Local and Global Challenges

In a world of rapid change and mounting crises, Ireland must prioritise equipping its citizens with the education, values, and skills necessary to overcome both local and global challenges. From climate breakdown and deepening inequality to the spread of disinformation, discrimination, and the rise of racism - this new era presents unprecedented issues that demand informed and engaged collective responses.
Ireland’s commitment to Global Citizenship Education (which includes Education for Sustainable Development) plays a crucial role in fostering the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to navigate today’s interconnected world.

By embracing these educational frameworks, in line with our commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 4.7 , we affirm our dedication to justice, peace, democracy, human rights, partnership, global solidarity, and environmental stewardship.

Our efforts are already having a real impact , such as improving school curricula and teacher education and reaching at least 362,000 learners across Ireland in 2023 alone. However, the scope and urgency of today’s crises call for renewed dedication and focus. Ireland must strengthen its commitment to Global Citizenship Education as we navigate complex, interconnected challenges at home and abroad, while approaching critical climate tipping points. This requires increased investment, strategic prioritisation, and a whole-of-government approach.

Only by championing Global Citizenship Education and taking decisive action can we ensure that Ireland and its people are prepared to meet the pressing challenges of our time, fostering a more sustainable and fairer society in a turbulent world.

In the next Programme for Government, Ireland must:

Significantly increase our investment in Global Citizenship Education and Education for Sustainable Development while instituting a whole-of-government approach.

To download a PDF version of this manifesto, click here .

IDEA has also developed a Global Education Champion candidate pledge for candidates to sign up to.

If you are a candidate who would like to sign it or if you are a member of IDEA and would like to send the pledge to candidates, please contact Leigh at leigh@ideaonline.ie

Code Network Meeting

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 12:37:06 GMT

Date: Tuesday 03 December, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Location: Ashling Hotel, 10 - 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8

IDEA is looking forward to welcoming all members of the  Code of Good Practice for Development Education  to our upcoming Code network meeting on Tuesday 03 December, in the Ashling Hotel, 10 - 13 Parkgate St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 8, D08 P38N1. The event runs from 10.30am - 4.00pm with tea/coffee available from 10.00am. Lunch will also be served. Please let us know of any dietary requirements when registering.

One of the commitments in joining the Code, is to also contribute to the Community of Practice for this Code including sharing successes and learning with other Code members and attending Code network meetings.

This meeting will be a wonderful opportunity to bring Code members together in person to review progress, share updates from IDEA and celebrate successes.

There are places for two attendees from each Code member. Grainne O’Neill and Morína O’Neill will facilitate the meeting.

R egistration for this event is closed. For any questions, please contact events@ideaonline.ie

Biographies

IDEA Annual Conference and 20th Anniversary “We Have to Turn the Mirror on Ourselves.”

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:50:24 GMT

At the recent 2024 IDEA Annual Conference, we had a lively panel discussion of ‘Current Context and Considerations for the Future of GCE’. Our panellists challenged, entertained, and inspired us all.
Check out our 4 panellists and catch up on their presentations.

Dr. Lilian Nwanze-Akobo, Director of the Higher Diploma in Further Education, Maynooth University
Niall Tierney, Director, Global Programmes and Global Citizenship Education Unit, Irish Aid
Mohammad Naeem, Activist & Former UN Youth Delegate for Ireland

Sarah Kelleher, CEO, Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS)

“Get over yourself. If we are going to do this work, we have to turn the mirror on ourselves. We need to understand the critical aspects, the power imbalances the systems the structures. We have to put our money where our mouth is. We can’t say we want an even, beautiful world... but what policies are we going to pass if it is a monochromatic meeting?!” Dr. Lilian Nwanze-Akobo, Director of the Higher Diploma in Further Education, Maynooth University.

“You have to speak the language of the people who are sitting in front of you. We have a community training centre for early school leavers. They are required to get 5 training modules every year. I don’t care if they get them- that's the truth. What I care about is that they leave us after 2 years and they have registered to vote. That’s what I care about. They have become active citizens. That they know they can be part of the world. Because all these people feel excluded, I can tell you.” Sarah Kelleher, CEO, Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS).

“Growing up in a very rural area and attending a secondary school that was heavily focused on sports I found very few opportunities to explore... [CGE], empowering young people like me to engage in global issues and to think critically about the world around them. Unfortunately, that wasn’t provided to me during my education. Mine was the first year that CSPE was removed as an exam subject. When the pandemic hit, I was in Junior Cert and like many others I faced the challenge of isolation however what I initially saw as a barrier turned into an opportunity for me. The shift to online platforms meant that I could access a wealth of opportunities that were previously out of reach for me due to location and travel constraints.” Mohammad Naeem, Activist & Former UN Youth Delegate for Ireland

"One of the key challenges is in the cacophony of noise and disinformation and immediacy... the immediacy of my prejudices, the immediacy of my perceived needs, my perceived right, is making the architecture and toolkit that educators like yourselves are trying to build through GCE, in every citizen's mind to give that breathing space, that mental step back to understand.... how is Ireland benefitting from multilateralism?" Niall Tierney, Director, Global Programmes and Global Citizenship Education Unit, Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs.

A very warm thanks to all our panellists, speakers and facilitators on the day.

Improving Your Results Framework Workshop

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:16:45 GMT

Date: Tuesday 19 November, 10am - 12pm,

Location: Online via Zoom

This workshop is part of IDEA’s support on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round. It is the second of two distinct and complementary workshops developed by IDEA on ‘Results Frameworks for Global Citizenship Education’ that we are running this year. This session will be led by Elaine Mahon, IDEA and Lisa-Marie Salley-Kerhascoet of Organisational Development Support - ODS.

This session is focused on supporting those who are familiar with Results Frameworks and have begun work on the Results Framework for their application. This runs on Tuesday 19 November, 10am - 12pm, online via Zoom.

Participants are invited to prepare for 'Improving Your Results Frameworks’ session as follows:

IDEA provides support for members - and spaces for members to support one another - in applying for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all and offered online. As in recent years, this year we also invite any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biographies

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications 2025

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 11:45:46 GMT

Date: Tuesday 12 November 2024, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Location: O nline via Zoom.

Our first training event on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round is a Grants Clinic, focusing on the application form that will be facilitated by Bobby McCormack, CEO of Development Perspectives and Chairperson of IDEA National Council, and Elaine Mahon, IDEA. This will take place on Tuesday 12 November, 11.00am – 1.00pm, online via Zoom.

IDEA provides support for members - and spaces for members to support one another - in applying for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all.

As in recent years, we are also inviting any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biographies

Workshop: Brave Spaces for Racial Justice - Navigating Power, Privilege and Decolonisation

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:48:11 GMT

Date: 06 November and 18 November, 10.30am-4pm

Location: In person in IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

Following the overwhelmingly positive response from the workshop on Decolonising Justice at the IDEA annual conference in September 2024, we are delighted to welcome back the same trainers to offer a two- day interactive and in person workshop on promoting racial justice in our Global Citizenship Education work."

Led by facilitators Bronwyn April and Mdahyelya Bassi , this workshop will provide a deep dive into the intersections of racial equity, philanthropy, migration, and decolonisation, framed within both global and Irish contexts.

Participants will engage in critical discussions on how colonial legacies continue to shape social justice and explore tools like the "Quadrant of Oppression" to challenge internalised power structures. With an emphasis on self-reflection, positionality, and fostering brave spaces, this two-day workshop aims to equip participants with the knowledge and language to address racial justice in their work.

Please note that there is a fee to attend this event.

Fees for members of IDEA is €50
Fees for non-members of IDEA is €100.00.
Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €3.00 - this can be paid in person.

Registration for this event is closed. Please email events@ideaonline.ie for requests to be added to the waiting list.

Biographies

The 2025 Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for Proposals is now open

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:34:13 GMT

The call for proposals can be found at this   link  under the ‘Applying for Funding’ tab. It also includes links to the Guidelines, FAQ documents, as well as information on DEAR co-funding.

Key dates include:

Friday 18 October: Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for proposals published on Irish Aid website.
Wednesday 06 November at 2.00pm: Irish Aid Information Session on the GCE Grants. If you are interested, please register for the information session by emailing globalcitizenshipeducation@dfa.ie . A link for the videoconference will then follow next week.
Friday 08 November, 5.00pm, Deadline for receipt of eligibility forms: Please note an important change to the eligibility process: ALL organisations hoping to apply must complete an eligibility form. Eligibility forms can be requested by emailing the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Completed eligibility forms must be submitted to the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Organisations who fail to meet the eligibility deadline cannot be considered
Wednesday 13 November: Organisations will be notified of their eligibility
Thursday 05 December, 12.00pm, Deadline for applications: The completed application form, signed by the legal representative of the organisation (e.g. the CEO or the Chair of the Board) should be e-mailed to the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Please note, applications which are received after this date will not be considered. Just so you are aware of the earlier submission deadline - 12 noon rather than 5.00pm as was stated previously.
It is intended that the appraisal of applications will take place in Quarter 1 2025 and notification of funding decisions will issue

IDEA Support for the Grants Round

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications will take place Tuesday 12 November, 11.00am – 1.00pm, on Zoom. Find out more...
Results Frameworks for Beginners Workshop: Instead of a live workshop, IDEA has recorded a session which goes through Results Frameworks for Beginners. This was published on IDEA Youtube channel on Monday 4 November 2024 and is available here
Improving your Results Frameworks Workshop: This will take place on Tuesday 19 November, 10am - 12pm, online. Find out more...
IDEA annually produces a resource Results-based Approaches in Development Education - A practical toolkit . This toolkit aims to help practitioners developing Results Frameworks for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education projects. It takes you step by step through the process of building an effective results table to reach the change you want to achieve, within the timeframe of your project. While created to reflect Irish Aid’s Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education Grants rounds, the approach outlined in the toolkit can be applied to many other Development Education settings. The toolkit for the 2025 grants round is now available on the IDEA website here .

As in recent years, we are inviting any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events. All training events are free of charge.

Global Citizenship Education Research Showcase 2024

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:33:02 GMT

Date:   Monday 25 November, 10.00am -12.30pm

Location:   Online via Zoom 

IDEA and Ubuntu are thrilled to invite you to the second edition of our Global Citizenship Education (GCE) Research Showcase on Monday 25 November, online, 10.00am -12.30pm. This event is free of charge.

The aim of this event is to showcase contemporary GCE research. You will be introduced to thought-provoking and engaging inputs and have an opportunity to reflect with fellow participants on the applicability of the concepts discussed to your GCE practice.

For the purpose of this event, the term research will be taken in its broadest sense, encompassing academic research; action research; documented practice; documented learning; conceptual research articles; case studies etc.

Click here to see the Agenda

Registrations have now closed.

Please email Anya Sparynska at anya@ideaonline.ie if you would like to attend.

Biographies

IDEA Appoints New CEO

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:18:11 GMT

We Are Delighted to Announce our New CEO

IDEA is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruairí McKiernan as our new CEO. With over 20 years of experience as a respected non-profit leader, activist, and social innovator, Ruairí brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to our organisation.

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. Ruairí has served on the boards of the Soar Foundation and Gaisce. 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.

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 advocating for gambling industry reform.

His activism has spanned various causes, including anti-war campaigns, environmental protection, mental health reform, and gender-based violence. Ruairí is also a regular media contributor, a published non-fiction author, and the host of a popular social change podcast, Love and Courage. He is a Fulbright Fellow in Civic Engagement and holds a degree in Management, and an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy. He is currently undertaking a Postgraduate qualification in Sustainability Leadership.

"It is a great privilege to serve IDEA as CEO. I've had the good fortune of working with IDEA and many of its members over the years. I've always been struck by the sense of integrity, passion, and dedication among the IDEA community, and the culture of care, cooperation, solidarity, and professionalism that underpins it.

This is a community ready-made for these extraordinary times. The climate emergency, biodiversity loss, war, genocide, disinformation, extremism, racism, and rampant inequality — the threats to life on our shared planet are many and increasingly urgent. If ever there was a time to unleash the vast liberating power of Development Education and Global Citizenship Education, it is now. Herein lies a historic opportunity: a call to radical reimagining that requires us to stand firmly with the oppressed, forge new and diverse alliances, and take bold and fearless action to inspire new hope for humanity and our beautiful planet.

I look forward to working with the staff, the National Council, our members, partners, funders, and the broader community as we work together for a world of peace, justice, and possibility." Ruairí McKiernan

We look forward to the energy, experience, and vision Ruairí will bring to IDEA as we expand our impact on development education and global citizenship education.

Code of Good Practice Support Officer

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 16:11:26 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is seeking a dedicated and organized individual to join our team as a Code of Good Practice Support Officer. This 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of extension, offers a unique opportunity to support the management of the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development E

Key responsibilities include coordinating member engagement, maintaining accurate records, supporting international outreach, promoting the Code, and organizing training and events. The ideal candidate will have at least one year of experience in project management or administration, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to IDEA’s vision and values.

To apply, send your CV and a letter of motivation to recruitment@ideaonline.ie. Interviews are expected to be held on Friday 25 October.

The full Terms of Reference is here.

The deadline for application is Monday 21 October, 5.00pm.

Theory of Change for Global Citizenship Education: Introductory Session for IDEA Members

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 10:22:13 GMT

Date:  Tuesday, 24 September, 2.30 – 3.30pm

Location:   Online via Zoom 

A Theory of Change is an important step in identifying the cumulative impact of Global Citizenship Education in Ireland. IDEA has recruited a consultancy firm ( Organisational Development Support - ODS ) to facilitate the development of a Theory of Change for GCE in Ireland. This builds on work already carried out on impact measurement of DE/GCE in Ireland by IDEA and our members.

A Theory of Change is essentially a comprehensive description and illustration of  how and why a desired change is expected to happen in a particular context .

ODS staff will work with IDEA staff and members throughout this process. An important element is the convening of a task group of IDEA members to support the development of the Theory of Change. This task group will work between October-November on the drafting of the Theory of Change for GCE in Ireland.

Ahead of the establishment of the task group, ODS will run an introductory session which is open to all IDEA members. This open information session will share details on the process of development a Theory of Change for GCE. This session is relevant to all IDEA members, and in particular should serve to inform those potentially interested in joining the task group what is involved.

This introductory session takes place on Tuesday 24 September from 2.30-3.30pm. The session will 1) present the process to interested IDEA members 2) present the role of the Task Group and what is expected of those joining the Task Group 3) give a short intro to Theories of Change and what they are.

The session will be led by Anna Cesari and Lisa-Marie Salley-Kerhascoet of Organisational Development Support - ODS .

Registration is now closed. For any questions on the process and the work of the task group, please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

The Role of Global Citizenship Education in the Future We Want to Create

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:08:22 GMT

Date: Tuesday, 17 September, 1.00 – 2.00pm, Irish time/2.00-3.00pm, CET

Location: Online via Zoom

Bridge 47 and the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) invite you to an online side event on the eve of the UN Summit of the Future on Tuesday, 17 September, 1.00 – 2.00pm, Irish time/2.00-3.00pm, CET.

A panel of distinguished international speakers will discuss the role of Global Citizenship Education in the future we want to create in the framework of the Pact for the Future, which is to be signed during the UN Summit of the Future on 23 September 2024.

Humanity is at a crossroads. The world is changing at an ever-increasing pace. We are facing unprecedented global challenges that require global and local solutions: increasing inequality and injustice, climate breakdown, genocides and war, rising fascism, authoritarianism, deterioration in human rights, crisis of multilateralism, crisis of legitimacy of universal human rights law and international humanitarian law.

How can we ensure that people are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to come together to solve and mitigate these challenges? How do we ensure everyone feels like they belong to the global human community? How do we ensure they are invested enough to change the behaviours and choices needed, in their respective roles and responsibilities? 

The Pact for the Future that is to be endorsed and signed at the UN Summit of the Future on 23 September 2024 commits to achieving “quality, inclusive education for all and lifelong learning”. It does not specify however what the content of this education and learning should be. In addition to universal education which addresses literacy and numeracy, we must prepare future generations with the knowledge, skills and values to deal with the world they are inheriting. Global citizenship education is essential for a sustainable future, as UNESCO and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development attest. The aspirational goals set out in SDG target 4.7 could make education truly transformative. Looking at the global policy framework, this event will explore opportunities to ensure we achieve quality, inclusive global citizenship education and lifelong learning for all. We will also discuss potential solutions to the challenges in implementing these policies globally.

These questions will be debated and answered by international speakers and an online audience on the eve of the UN Summit of the Future. 

Guest speakers are:

Prof. Patrick Paul Walsh, Vice Director of Education & Director of the SDG Academy, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; Professor of International Development & Director of the M.Sc in Sustainable Development, UCD.

Prof. Leonardo Garnier , former Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General for the Transforming Education Summit. Former Minister of Education in Costa Rica.

Temilade Salami, Founder and Director, EcoChampions, Nigeria and Africa-wide. Youth Leader, Global Partnership for Education.

This event will be moderated by Mr. Rilli Lappalainen, CEO, Bridge 47.

Registration for this event is now closed!

Biographies

IDEA Annual Conference 2024

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 13:55:46 GMT

United in Impact: Celebrating our journey, charting our future

Date: Wednesday, 04 September, 9.30am-5.00pm

Location: Richmond Barracks in Dublin

Join us for the IDEA Annual Conference 2024 on “United in Impact: Celebrating Our Journey, Charting Our Future,”. This event will take place on Wednesday, 04 September, at Richmond Barracks in Dublin.

This year’s event will be a chance to celebrate our shared history, acknowledge our present context, and envision an impactful future for GCE. This year also marks 20 years since IDEA’s establishment as a network for DE in Ireland.

This is an in-person event, but for anyone who can’t join in person, the keynote address and speaker sessions will be recorded and shared online after the event.

Please note that if you want to register now, contact us via conference@ideaonline.ie and you will be added to a waiting list and contacted if a place becomes available.

Conference Programme available here

Find out more

Recruitment services to help find our next CEO in IDEA

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 08:07:57 GMT

IDEA invites tender submissions from interested recruitment agencies/consultants to provide recruitment services to IDEA in recruiting a CEO. Specifically, the recruitment services will work with the Board of IDEA (our ‘National Council’). This service will include working with our board on job design and developing the job specification as well as advertising the post, proactively identifying suitable candidates, shortlisting candidates and supporting the Board with the recruitment and appointment of the successful candidate.

Interested Recruitment Consultancy Services Suppliers should submit a proposal by email to elaine@ideaonline.ie.

The full Terms of Reference is here.

The deadline for application is Monday 17 June, 11.00am.

Tender: Consultant to Lead the Development of Theory of Change for GCE

Mon, 27 May 2024 09:08:16 GMT

IDEA is seeking for a consultant to lead the drafting and development of a Theory of Change (ToC) for GCE in Ireland in consultation with IDEA members. This will include various tasks between June and December as described in the Terms of Reference and Timeframe.

A Theory of Change is an important step in identifying the cumulative impact of GCE in Ireland. This builds on work already carried out on impact measurement of DE/GCE in Ireland by IDEA. Please submit your CV highlighting relevant experience, referees for similar work, and a brief proposed plan/methodology. This proposal should include a proposed no. of days and staff involved (if relevant) and fee to anya@ideaonline.ie .

The full Terms of Reference is here.

The deadline for application is Monday 17 June, midnight.

Nominations open for IDEA National Council

maximiliana@ideaonline.ie (Maximiliana Eligi Mtenga) — Fri, 17 May 2024 13:28:38 GMT

Join the Board of IDEA (our National Council) and have an impact on the future of Development/Global Citizenship education. As a member of the Board, you will have the opportunity to shape the direction of our organisation and contribute to the development of our programmes and initiatives.

This is an opportunity to gain valuable experience in non-profit governance and management. Work with a dedicated and passionate team and make a real difference to the promotion and advancement of Development/Global Citizenship education.

The ideal candidate will have experience in non-profit management. Strong organisational and communication skills are also essential. We also highly value nominations from those with a background in:

Communications
Compliance & risk
Development Education practice
Diversity, equality and inclusion
Finance/ accounting,
Fundraising,
Governance,
Human Resources,
Safeguarding
Legal matters,
Public affairs & advocacy

as well as other essential aspects of non-profit leadership.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to be a part of a mission-driven organisation making a real difference!

Please fill in the nomination form below including a brief paragraph on the nominee’s relevant experience and skills. Nominations must be signed by the nominating organisation and be received by the IDEA office or by email to elaine@ideaonline.ie 7 days prior to the AGM. This means the latest IDEA can receive nominations with original signatures is Friday 31 May1.00pm.

IDEA is an Equal Opportunities Employer. While this role is voluntary, IDEA welcome applications from people from all backgrounds & experiences. IDEA is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment that values all identities, perspectives and experiences, and provides opportunities for learning and growth.

We welcome applications from those with previous experience of Boards, as well as other people who are new to this area of non-profit management.

If you have questions or would like to speak to someone about the role, please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

IDEA’s Lab 2024

Tue, 07 May 2024 10:20:49 GMT

Dates: Thursday 04 July,10.00am-6.00pm and Friday 05 July, 10.00am-3.00pm

Location: Blackstairs Eco Trails, Carlow

IDEA is thrilled to open applications for our 2024 Lab.

In this first of its kind residential Lab, we will create a space where members can bring their ideas for projects and try out new planning and design methods. Participants will have the opportunity to work on an idea from scratch to (almost) finish with the support of expert trainers and learn through group exchange in a welcoming and inspiring setting.

Participants will come out of the training with:

An early project design proofed, tested and built through group feedback, iteration, trialling and support.
New approaches in designing innovative projects they can apply to their workplace
A chance to share their experience around the challenges for innovation
Headspace and time to work on the design of an innovative project
A chance to experiment with innovative methods in practice with expert support
A chance to actively learn through group exchange and strengthen the sense of an innovative community of practice in Ireland
A chance to strengthen their project through the presence and knowledge of an expert

How?

Please email anya@ideaonline.ie to request an application form. Requesting an application form does not commit you to applying.

The deadline for returning application form (including organisational sign off letter) is Friday 31 May, midnight . You will find further details in the application form.

Cost :

This training is funded by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and is free of charge for IDEA members. IDEA will ask for a small refundable deposit to hold your team’s spot, further details are available in the application form.

Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas development programme which supports partners working in some of the world’s poorest countries. Irish Aid also supports global citizenship education in Ireland to encourage learning and public engagement with global issues the ideas, opinions and comments expressed in this training are entirely the responsibility of its author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect DFA policy.

Timeline:

Applications open: 07 May
Applications close: 31 May, midnight
Confirmation and deposit invoice: Week 03 June
Preparatory session with trainer (online): Week of the 17 June
Lab arrival: Where possible we advise arrival on Wednesday 03 July in the evening. Accommodation and food will be covered from 03 July, 5.00pm - 05 July, 3.00pm
Lab: 04 July,10.00am-6.00pm. 05 July, 10.00am-3.00pm

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at anya@ideaonline.ie if any of the above pose a barrier to your participation, or if you have any other questions.

Event Management Support

Tue, 07 May 2024 09:56:55 GMT

IDEA is seeking a consultant to support its team in organising the Annual Conference and 20th Anniversary on Wednesday 04 September.

This will include support in various areas as described in the Terms of References. The IDEA annual conference is a core part of our work and has been held annually for over a decade. More information on all previous conferences is available on our website and specifically here for 2023 and here for 2022 . This year the theme focuses on the impact of GCE in Ireland and we will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of IDEA.

Please submit your CV highlighting relevant experience, referees for similar work, and a brief proposed plan/methodology. This proposal should include a proposed no. of days and staff involved (if relevant) and fee to anya@ideaonline.ie .

The full Terms of Reference is here.

The deadline for applications is extended to Friday 24 May, midnight.

IDEA AGM 2024

Fri, 03 May 2024 09:37:28 GMT

Date: Friday 07 June, 10.00am – 12.00pm

Location: Online

IDEA's Annual General Meeting 2024 will take place Friday 07 June, 10.00am – 12.00pm. This will also include the sharing of IDEA's new Strategy. The link to the event will be shared with registered participants closer to the time.

You will be asked about accessibility needs in the registration form. It is particularly important to register by 17 May so that we can ensure the event is as accessible as possible.

You must be a member of IDEA to attend. If you have any questions about your IDEA membership for 2024 please contact sal@ideaonline.ie .

Registration for the AGM is closed. If you still want to register, contact Elaine via elaine@ideaonline.ie

Local/EU Elections Advocacy Workshop

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:51:37 GMT

Date: Friday 10 May, 11.00am -1.00pm

Location: Online Via Zoom

IDEA will host an online Local/EU Elections Advocacy Workshop for our members at the above date and time. This will focus on presenting our Local/EU Elections Advocacy Brief to members and allowing space for questions and answers and role-playing scenarios in which members might use the brief to advocate GCE priorities with election candidates and canvassers.

The Local/EU Elections Advocacy Brief is one of the tools in the IDEA Advocacy Toolkit, which some members were involved in shaping at our 07 February 2024 online workshop. It contains tailored advocacy messaging, asks, opportunities and suggested actions. It will be sent in advance of the workshop and participants are strongly encouraged to read and reflect on the Brief before the workshop, and bring any questions they may have.

With the 2024 local/EU elections campaign in full swing, and countdown to 07 June, don’t miss this opportunity to prepare for and better execute your planned elections advocacy.

Target audience: Primarily this is aimed at IDEA members that are actively planning to carry out advocacy activities during the 2024 local/EU elections campaign and would appreciate guidance on messaging, asks and strategic opportunities. However, all IDEA members are welcome to participate.

The main content of the workshop will be covered in 90 minutes, but we are scheduling an extra 30 minutes at the beginning to give members an opportunity to meet and greet our new Policy and Advocacy Manager, Leigh Brady and vice versa. Leigh is looking forward to it!

The deadline for registration is 09 May.

Code Network Meeting May 2024

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 10:00:54 GMT

Date: Wednesday 29 May, 9.30am - 12.30pm

Location: Online via zoom.

IDEA is looking forward to welcoming all members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education to our upcoming Code network meeting on Wednesday 29 May from 9.30am - 12.30pm, online. There are places for two representatives (staff, volunteers etc.) from each Code member.

For members of the IDEA Code of Good Practice, there are two Code network meetings annually (of which Code members must attend at least one). Each year one Code network meeting takes place online (May) and one in person (November).

If you have any questions, please contact code@ideaonline.ie

Registration for this meeting is closed. Any member who wants to register is instructed to contact code@ideaonline.ie for the Zoom link.

Exploring Contemporary Issues through Global Citizenship Education: 'Social Inclusion in times of Rising Xenophobia'

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:30:56 GMT

Date: Wednesday, 15 May, 12.30-2.00pm

Location: Online via Zoom

IDEA is collaborating with Comhlámh to host a webinar on ‘Social Inclusion in times of rising Xenophobia’ #4 on our webinar series : Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education on Wednesday, 15 May, 12.30-2.00pm, online via zoom.

This webinar will look at an existing gap in Ireland of refugee and migrant integration, resettlement, and community engagement in Ireland. More specifically speakers will explore how this gap, in a time of austerity and multiplying barriers to overall social inclusion feeds xenophobic, anti-immigration, racist and far-right narrative sentiments. This event will also aim to discuss and explore the ways global citizenship education, the international development and humanitarian sector can become pro-active players in filling that gap. Key questions we will ask ourselves are:

How can these sectors reach out to local actors and community groups and become active participants in building the connections needed to promote social cohesion and intercultural diversity?
How can we make sure that intersectional solidarity is at the heart of our responses and that the voices of those affected are centred?

The speakers will be Joe Munnelly , a PhD in Humanitarian and Development studies graduating from UCD’s Centre for Humanitarian Action; Bulelani Mfaco, one of the Spokespersons for the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI); and Sarah Kelleher, CEO of Lourdes Youth & Community Services (LYCS). The moderator for this webinar is Dr Caroline Murphy, CEO of Comhlámh.

This event is fully booked!

Biographies

Exploring Contemporary Issues through Global Citizenship Education, ‘Getting to Grips with Greenwashing’

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:13:52 GMT

Date: Tuesday, 30 April,12.30-2.00pm

Location: Online via zoom

IDEA is hosting webinar series: Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education. The third session in this series is entitled ‘Getting to Grips with Greenwashing’ and will be held on Tuesday, 30 April, online from 12.30-2.00pm.

This webinar will explore the topic of “Greenwashing”. It will help educators to understand “greenwashing” (defined as the practice of making false or misleading statements about the environmental benefits of a product or practice) as a global justice issue and support educators to bring it into their work. It will explore educators’ possible responses and approaches to addressing this topic with learners. It aims to equip those working in Global Citizenship Education with information, approaches and methodologies to address “greenwashing” in educational settings. Participants will hear from expert speakers and practitioners in the area and have time dedicated to a Question & Answer session.

Speakers will be Tom Roche, founder and coordinator of Just Forests, and our individual member, Nadia Moussed, global youth worker running the ‘UP Cork’ LGBTI+ youth group and Alex Whyatt, Global Citizenship Coordinator, Global Action Plan. The moderator for this webinar is Elaine Nevin, National Director (Chief Executive Officer) of ECO-UNESCO.

The deadline for registration is 29 April.

Biographies

Senior Communications Consultant (Freelance Contract)

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 09:29:44 GMT

IDEA is seeking a Senior Communications Consultant to manage the implementation of the

IDEA Communications strategy for the period April-June 2024 (with the possibility of extension) and support the IDEA staff in their communications needs across the organisation. The successful candidate should possess managerial level experience in Communications and a commitment to our mission and to Global Citizenship Education (GCE). This role involves overseeing and supporting all of IDEA’s communication activity including website, newsletters, social media, production of resources and response to other

arising communication needs. We are particularly interested in individuals who can demonstrate high commitment to IDEA’s mission and liaise with all members of the IDEA team in a communications’ leadership role. This opportunity will suit those looking to make an impact in the field of communications related to education and global justice. We welcome applications from both individuals and agencies, and the successful candidate must ensure consistency in regular liaison with IDEA staff.

The role needs to be flexible, which will include working the contracted hours across different days of the week or different times of the contract, depending on the organisation's needs.

Please submit your CV highlighting relevant experience, referees for similar work, and a brief cover letter (one page maximum) setting out your motivation for this role and your experience relevant to the role. This proposal should include the fee and be

sent to elaine@ideaonline.ie.

The full Terms of Reference is here

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 17 April, 5.00pm

Call for Tender: Innovation Lab Development and Delivery

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 09:58:34 GMT

IDEA is seeking trainer(s) to co-design and deliver a 2-day in-person residential Lab type event for Global Citizenship Education (GCE) practitioners and organisations. In IDEA, we use the term ‘Lab’ to describe an event aimed at stimulating and facilitating innovation as well as acting as a 'site of collaborative knowledge production'.

The deadline for applications is Monday, 15 April, midday.

For more information about the Lab, the role of this tender, and the application process, consult the Terms of Reference here.

Online Launch of IDEA’s Innovation Magazine: "The Catalyst"

Fri, 22 Mar 2024 15:36:14 GMT

Date: Wednesday, 17 April, 12.00pm – 1.00pm

Location: online via zoom

Join us as we launch IDEA’s Innovation Magazine first issue: "The Catalyst" on Wednesday, 17 April, from 12.00pm-1.00pm. This event has now moved online.

“The Catalyst” is a Magazine born out of a desire to celebrate our members’ inspirational work. It is an attempt to capture the combined expertise of our wide and rich sector and to spotlight Global Citizenship Education’s spirit of innovation.

This launch will be a chance to celebrate the voices that made this Magazine possible and offer you a copy fresh from the press. A copy of the Magazine will also be sent to all online participants. We’ve planned to give you a glimpse of the Magazine’s behind-the-scenes as well as some joyful storytelling. Looking forward seeing you there!

Please reach out to anya@ideonline.ie if you have any questions.

The deadline for registration is Thursday, 11 April.

Webinar Series: Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education, ‘The Age of Cascading Crises’

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 10:04:41 GMT

Date: Tuesday 09 April, 12.30pm-2.00pm

Location: Online via zoom

IDEA is hosting a Webinar Series: Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education. The second session in this series is entitled ‘The Age of Cascading Crises’ and will take place online via Zoom on Tuesday 09 April from 12.30pm-2.00pm.

This webinar focuses on a number of contemporary global challenges which appear to increase and accelerate each year. The webinar aims to strengthen our capacity to engage as educators to understand the connections between these crises and also increase our confidence to address them in educational settings.

This webinar will be moderated by Lizzy Noone from WorldWide Global Schools with inputs from Dr Aoife Titley and Patrick Marren both from Maynooth University who lead the design and development of modules on the Certificate in GCE (level-9 programme) offered by Maynooth University. This certificate provides a specialised learning experience in global citizenship education (GCE) for practitioners. During the webinar Aoife and Patrick will give you an introduction to what they see as contemporary crises and issues and how GCE can respond. The webinar will also provide a useful ‘taster’ for anyone considering registering for the Certificate in Maynooth to hear from two of the lecturers involved. There will also be a chance at the end to hear some logistical information about the course.

Biographies

Online Workshop on IDEA New Strategic Plan

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:45:33 GMT

Date : Thursday 07 March 11.30am – 1.00pm.

Location: Online via Zoom

We are inviting our members to participate in an online workshop on our new Strategic Plan for 2024 - 2029 on Thursday 07 March from 11.30am - 1.00pm, Online via Zoom.

This is an important opportunity for us to hear from those members who could not attend the in person workshop on 28 February. It is an opportunity to share your experiences as part of the Global Citizenship Education / Development Education sector and as a member of IDEA and about your hopes and expectations for what IDEA should prioritise in the coming years to achieve better outcomes for our community. This will also be an opportunity to reflect on IDEA’s strengths and achievements under the last Strategic Plan, and to identify the areas where we need to focus our energies in the future.

This workshop is part of a broader consultation process which includes an e-survey open to all IDEA members that has been shared with all members and is open until 10 March.

IDEA’s strategy development work is being facilitated by 2into3 a consultancy firm who specialise in building the capacity of mission-driven organisations so that they can have a transformative impact on society in Ireland and around the world.

Online Global Citizenship Education Impact Measurement meeting (2023 Workshop Follow-up)

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:45:31 GMT

Date: Wednesday, 13 March 10.00am – 12.00noon

Location: Online via Zoom

We are delighted to invite participants to our next meeting on the topic of Global Citizenship Education Impact Measurement in Ireland. This meeting will pick up on the discussions started at our previous workshop on Exploring Impact Measurement in Global Citizenship Education held on 19 October last year.

In that context, we would appreciate if anyone interested in joining us could take a moment to go through the 'GCE Impact Measurement Desk Review' and '2023 Workshop Harvest Document'. Please reach out to anya@ideonline.ie if you don’t receive a copy of these documents within 24 hours after registering.

The Harvest Document captures highlights and outcomes of the last event. These were collected in various members and staff notes and by our graphic harvester. Members who could not attend the event in October are still most welcome to join the meeting on Wednesday13 March.

This event will take the form of a meeting, with a moderator and note taker to ensure the main points of discussion are captured and can inform the next meeting’s agenda. Using the momentum of shared interest generated in October, the meeting will explore suggestions that came out of the 2023 workshop. We will also talk about the challenges, opportunities and considerations that were raised at that workshop, as captured in the '2023 Workshop Harvest Document'. Finally, this will also be an opportunity to collect feedback and thoughts on the 'GCE Impact Measurement Desk Review'.

Note: This event is not suitable for members looking for training or an introduction to existing GCE Impact Measurement and Monitoring and Evaluation tools. A separate Practice Exchange on these tools will be organised in May and further information will follow.

Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through GCE, We Need to Talk About Gaza

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 12:18:24 GMT

Date: Wednesday 06 March, 12.30-2.00pm

Location: Online Via Zoom

IDEA will host a Webinar Series: Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education We need to talk about Gaza on 06 March, online from 12.30-2.00pm.

It will focus on educators’ responses to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. It aims to equip those working in Global Citizenship Education to be able to address this in educational settings. Participants will hear from expert speakers in the area and have time dedicated to a Question & Answer session.

This session will be moderated by Claire Glavey, Global Village. Speakers are:

Mary Coogan , a Development Education Programme Manager from Trócaire, will speak about Trócaire’s approach to bringing Palestine into the classroom through our resources.

Talha AlAli, a Youth Activism Officer with Amnesty International Ireland, will share their experience of human rights education and how the current crisis in Gaza can be addressed by educators/in their work. Other speakers will be confirmed soon.

Dr John Reynolds, Associate Professor of International Law and Chair of the LLM International Justice programme at the School of Law & Criminology, Maynooth University.

Biographies

Workshop: IDEA Strategic Plan

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:04:01 GMT

Date: Wednesday 28 February, 10.00am - 1.00pm.

Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

IDEA is inviting our members to participate in an interactive workshop on our new Strategic Plan for 2024 - 2029 on Wednesday 28 February in the IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1, 10.00am - 1.00pm.

This is an important opportunity for us to hear from you about your experiences as part of the Global Citizenship Education / Development Education sector and as a member of IDEA, and about your hopes and expectations for what IDEA should prioritise in the coming years to achieve better outcomes for our community. This will also be an opportunity to reflect on IDEA’s strengths and achievements under the last Strategic Plan, and to identify the areas where we need to focus our energies in the future.

This workshop is part of a broader consultation process which will include an e-survey open to all IDEA members that will be shared later in February.

IDEA’s strategy development work is being facilitated by 2into3, a consultancy firm who specialise in building the capacity of mission-driven organisations so that they can have a transformative impact on society in Ireland and around the world.

Recruitment for a Policy & Advocacy Manager

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 10:33:28 GMT

Recruitment: Policy & Advocacy Manager

IDEA is looking to recruit a Policy & Advocacy Manager to lead IDEA’s policy and advocacy for Global Citizenship Education in Ireland and internationally. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leadership role in civil society, global citizenship and sustainable development policy. It is a varied role requiring strategic management, policy & advocacy expertise and collaboration with diverse partners.

This role is full time (some flexibility may be required, such as evening/weekend work).

Interested applicants should send letter of motivation (max.1 page) and CV by email here with the job title in the subject line . All applications will be dealt with in full confidentiality.

Interviews are expected to be held in the week beginning 11 March.

Read full job description here

The application for this role is closed.

Online Advocacy Workshop: Advocacy Guide and Toolkit

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 10:58:26 GMT

Date: Wednesday 07 February 10.30am -12.30pm

Location: Online Via Zoom

IDEA will host an Advocacy Workshop for our members on Wednesday 07 February from 10.30am -12.30pm Online via Zoom.

This will focus on an Advocacy Toolkit, along with guidance on engaging with policy processes, that is currently being developed. The aim is to better support the Global Citizenship Education advocacy work of the sector. The draft structure and outline of the Advocacy Toolkit will be shared with you at the workshop and your feedback is welcome, to ensure that it will be relevant and useful to your work. Key observations from a recent Advocacy Survey conducted with IDEA members better inform and shape the toolkit content will also be discussed.

The workshop will be a great opportunity to jointly identify shared learning around positive and negative experiences of Global Citizenship Education advocacy and resources, to discuss challenges you may face in engaging in advocacy initiatives, to share good practice, and to identify future collaborative advocacy opportunities.

The ABC of Global Citizenship Education 2024

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 17:04:12 GMT

Date: 3 Sessions in total - Wednesday, 21 February 10.00am - 4.00pm, Tuesday, 27 February, 2-4.00 pm, Thursday, 21 March, 10.00am – 1.30pm

Location: Session 1: Ormond Meeting rooms, 31-36 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7 , Session 2: Online via Zoom and Session 3: Ormond Meeting rooms, 31-36 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7.

This 3-part training workshop on the ABC of Global Citizenship Education is being provided by IDEA and Concern Worldwide’s Global Citizenship team to support participants to deepen their understanding and develop their skills in Global Citizenship Education delivery.

Please note: This training course is similar to the course ‘the A-Z of Global Citizenship Education’ which was designed and delivered for the first time in 2023. Participants who attended that training in 2023 and are interested in attending this course should contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

The training is targeted at newcomers to Global Citizenship Education but is open to all. It will also be useful to anyone who wishes to brush up on their Global Citizenship Education skills.

The training will:

Support educators to bring a global justice perspective to your educational work
Explore interactive and participatory approaches to Global Citizenship Education
Provide information on relevant resources and supports for your Global Citizenship Education work
Introduce you to the Code of Good Practice for Development Education
Increase understanding of the context of Global Citizenship Education in Ireland, including relevant stakeholders.

During session 2 we will be joined by a guest speaker – Briana Fitzsimons from the Hope & Courage Collective. The Hope & Courage Collective is an organisation that is working to inoculate our communities against the spread of hate and extremism in Ireland. During this training, we will provide an understanding of the far right in Ireland and some updates on the context they are currently operating in. We will then take a look at building a community response, which will include managing difficult conversations around these topics in educational settings.

The ‘ABC Of Global Citizenship Education’ is being hosted by IDEA, in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, and will be facilitated by Elaine Mahon, IDEA, and Lauren Wright, Concern. It will take place over 3 sessions:

The first day will take place in-person in Dublin on Wednesday, 21 February 10.00am - 4.00pm, Ormond Meeting rooms, 31-36 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7.
The second session will take place online Tuesday, 27 February, from 2-4.00 pm.
The third session will take place on 21 March 10.00am – 1.30pm, Ormond Meeting rooms, 31-36 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7.

Fees for members of IDEA is €50.00 and non-members of IDEA is €100.00. Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €3.00 - this can be paid in person.

Registration for this event is now closed. If you would like to be added to a waiting list please contact Maximiliana

Biographies

Public Relations Officer

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:01:07 GMT

IDEA is recruiting a Public Relations Officer to support planning, organisation and coordination of IDEA’s activities with members and external audiences. This is a varied role requiring public relations and communications experience, interpersonal skills, good organisation and multi-tasking skills. Candidates must have an academic qualification or professional training in public relations, communications, advocacy or other related areas.

Letter of motivation (max. 1 page) and CV should be sent by email to: recruitment@ideaonline.ie with the job title in the subject line.

Deadline for application is Monday 15 January 2023, 5.00pm.

Full job description available here .

Introduction to Code of Good Practice for New Members Interested in Joining

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 13:31:54 GMT

Date: Tuesday 12 December, 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Location: Online Via Zoom

IDEA will be hosting a brief introductory session for new members interested to Join the Code Network on Tuesday 12 December from 2.30-3.30pm. Please book your spot by sending us an email via: code@online.ie

Membership of the Code is open to all members of IDEA, including individual members.

Find out more...

Call for Tender: Development of Strategic Plan 2024 – 2029

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 21:28:45 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is hiring a consultant to support the development of it's Strategic Plan 2024 - 2029.

The process for developing the strategic plan will be led by IDEA's National Council and Director and will involve a focussed consultation with members and other stakeholders, with the support of an external consultant.

It is expected that the process will be completed between December 2023 and May 2024.

Deadline for application is Wednesday, 13 December, 5.00pm.

Full terms of reference are available here.

Call for Tender: Consultant to Develop Advocacy Toolkit & Guide

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 13:20:36 GMT

IDEA is seeking a consultant to work on developing an advocacy toolkit & guide to engaging with policy processes for use by Global Citizenship Education (GCE) practitioners.

This piece of work will involve conducting Focus Groups/a Workshop with IDEA members, creating a toolkit based on a review of existing advocacy tools and resources outlining how to use them, and a guide for Global Citizen Education practitioners on how to engage with relevant policy processes.

The deadline for application is Thursday, 07 December, 12.00noon.

Full terms of reference are available here.

Irish Aid Grants for Global Citizenship Education Call For 2024

Fri, 27 Oct 2023 09:36:42 GMT

The 2024 Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for Proposals is now open.

The call for proposals can be found at this  link  under the ‘Applying for Funding’ tab. It also includes links to

the Guidelines, FAQ documents, as well as information on DEAR co-funding.

Key dates include:

Friday 27 October: Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for proposals published on Irish Aid website.
Thursday 09 November, 1.00pm: Irish Aid Information Session on the GCE Grants. If you are interested, please register for the information session by emailing globalcitizenshipeducation@dfa.ie .
Friday 10 November, 5.00pm: Completed eligibility forms must be submitted to the GlobalCitizenshipEducation@dfa.ie .
According to information on the Irish Aid website, “Organisations who have not received global citizenship education funding in the past or if the organisation has not completed an eligibility form or been deemed eligible to apply over the last 3 years (2021, 2022 and 2023 call for proposals) must complete an eligibility form.”
Our understanding is that organisations who last applied for multi-annual funding 3 years ago (even if you were successful) need to complete an eligibility form for this call.
If you are unsure if you need to complete an Eligibility Criteria Form for this grants round, please contact Irish Aid directly. Organisations can request an Eligibility Form by emailing GlobalCitizenshipEducation@dfa.ie
Tuesday 14 November 5.00pm, organisations which submit a completed Eligibility Criteria form will be notified of their eligibility.
Friday, 15 December, 5.00pm: The completed application form, signed by the legal representative of the organisation (e.g. the CEO or the Chair of the Board) should be e-mailed to the GlobalCitizenshipEducation@dfa.ie .

IDEA Support for the Grants Round:

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications will take place Tuesday 14 November, 11.00am – 1.00pm, on Zoom .  Find out more...
Results Frameworks for Beginners Workshop will take place Thursday 16 November, 10.00am – 12.00pm, on Zoom.   Find out more...
Improving your Results Frameworks Workshop will take place Wednesday 22 November, 2.00-4.00pm, on Zoom .  Find out more...

As in recent years, we are also inviting any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

Call for Tender: Development of an Online Submission System (Web Platform)

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 10:32:23 GMT

IDEA is engaging a web developer to develop an Online Submission System (Web Platform) for self-assessments within the Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland

This piece of work will consist of developing a platform to move Code members’ self-assessment submission to an online system to host Code self-assessments and workbooks via the development of a new web platform.

The aim is to maximise the benefits of the Code by automating some of the submission process, and to enable us to extract information from the evidence within workbooks in a variety of iterations.

Deadline for application is Monday 06 November 5.00pm.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here

Improving your Results Frameworks Workshop

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:48:52 GMT

Date: Wednesday 22 November, 2.00pm – 4.00pm

Location: Online via Zoom

This workshop is part of IDEA’s support on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round. It is the second of two distinct and complementary workshops on ‘Results Frameworks for Global Citizenship Education’ that we are running this year, both led by Susan Gallwey.

This session is focused on supporting those who are familiar with Results Frameworks and have begun work on the Results Framework for their application. This runs on Wednesday 22 November, 2.00 – 4.00pm, Online.

This session will also be a good follow-on session for anyone attending the ‘Results Frameworks for Beginners’ workshop on 16 November.

Participants are invited to prepare for this session as follows:

b) Those participants from organisations who have NOT previously submitted a Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education to Irish Aid and/or people who are new to Results Frameworks should attend the introductory session on 16 November Results Frameworks for Beginners.

The Results Framework Toolkit being used for this training is available for download . If you would like a hard copy of the Results Framework Toolkit sent to you, please register by Tuesday 7 November and provide us with your postal address.

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biography

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications 2024

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:48:46 GMT

Date: Tuesday 14 November, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Location: Online via Zoom

Our first training event on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round is a Grants Clinic, focusing on the application form that will be facilitated by Frank Geary IDEA’s Director and Elaine Mahon, Capacity Development Manager, IDEA. This will take place on Tuesday 14 November, 11.00am – 1.00pm, Online.

IDEA provides support for members - and spaces for members to support one another - in applying for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all.

As in recent years, we are also inviting any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

To make this training as useful as possible for all attending, please make sure that you have a copy of this year’s application form available to you during the session. This can be requested from Irish Aid directly via email: globalcitizenshipeducation@dfa.ie

Results Frameworks for Beginners Workshop

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:19:16 GMT

Date: Thursday 16 November, 10.00am – 12.00noon

Location: Online via Zoom

This workshop is part of IDEA’s support around the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round. This is one of two distinct and complementary workshops on ‘Results Frameworks for Global Citizenship Education’ that we are running this year, both led by Susan Gallwey.

This session is for anyone applying for an Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education grant who is new to developing Results Frameworks. This runs Thursday 16 November, 10am – 12noon, Online.

It is aimed at participants from organisations who have NOT previously submitted a Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education, to Irish Aid.

People who are new to Results Frameworks should first attend this introductory session Results Frameworks for Beginners, if you wish to attend the 'Improvers' session on 22 November.

The Results Framework Toolkit being used for this training is available for download .

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biography

Call for Tender: Expanding IDEA’s Visual Identity and Graphic Design of Magazine

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 15:48:53 GMT

IDEA is engaging a Graphic Designer(s) to expand IDEA’s Visual Identity and to Design our Innovation in Global Citizenship in Education Magazine.

This Call for Tender includes two separate but related pieces of work. You can apply either for one, or for both.

Expanding IDEA's Visual Identity: This involves building on our existing colour palette so that we have more options visually to reflect the recent growth in our work in terms of areas of focus and activity. This piece of work also includes the design of Social Media templates and banners.

Graphic Design of Magazine: This piece of work will deliver a designed version of the publication (first edition) for online and print.

Deadline to apply for both pieces of work is Tuesday 10 October, 12noon.

Full Terms of Reference available here .

Call for Tender: Communications Impact Measurement

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 11:02:29 GMT

IDEA is engaging a consultant to conduct a review of our approach to measuring the impact of our communications as an organisation.

This piece of work will consist of analysing our current approach to measuring our communications reach, engagement and impact and compiling a report including recommendations on how to improve and strengthen this aspect of our work, along with a framework with an overview of what we’re measuring for each channel.

Deadline for application is Tuesday, 10 October, 12noon.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

Code Network Meeting

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 15:13:13 GMT

Date: Wednesday 29 November, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Location: Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay lower, Dublin 1

IDEA is looking forward to welcoming all members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education to our upcoming Code network meeting on Wednesday 29 November, in the Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay lower, Dublin 1. One of the commitments in joining the Code, is to also contribute to the Community of Practice for this Code including sharing successes and learning with other Code members and attending Code network meetings.

Susan Gallwey and Gráinne O'Neill will facilitate this meeting, and both are members of the Code panel who support IDEA in providing feedback to members on their Code self-assessments.

Current practice in the Code community is to run one Code network meeting online each year, and one in person. Our last Code network meeting was online on 26 May.

As we now have over 40 Code members, there are places for a maximum of two attendees from each Code member. If other colleagues from the same organisation wish to join, we will offer any remaining places to them once registration has closed.

The event runs from 10.30am - 4.00pm with tea/coffee available from 10.00am.

Lunch will also be served. Please let us know of any dietary requirements when registering.

For any questions, please contact code@ideaonline.ie

Webinar: Decolonial Practice in Global Citizenship Education

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:48:19 GMT

Date: Friday 13 October, 11.00am - 12.30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

IDEA is inviting you to join us for our Webinar on Decolonial Practice in Global Citizenship Education (GCE) on Friday 13 October, 11.00am - 12.30pm online via zoom. This webinar aims to build understanding of decolonial practice and share approaches to building capacity for decolonial practice in their organisations. Participants will explore what is meant by decoloniality and decolonising organisations. This webinar also aims to equip participants to strengthen anti-oppressive, anti-racist and decolonial practice in their organisations in line with Principle 11 of the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education . This event will be moderated by Sive Bresnihan , who is currently the Training and Education Co-ordinator with Comhlámh and speakers Rosalba Icaza, Dastan Kamanzi , who will provide their insights into decoloniality and decolonising organisations and Alice Feldman an activist-educator, art maker and researcher in the School of Sociology, University College Dublin.

Rosalba Icaza , is a Professor of Global Politics, Feminisms and Decoloniality at the Institute of Social Studies Erasmus University Rotterdam. Prof Icaza is a decolonial feminist activist-scholar with over 15 years of research and teaching experience on feminisms, global politics, and research methodologies.

Dastan Kamanzi is a thinker, Pan-Africanist, and media expert from East Africa, Tanzania. He is the Executive Director of the Tanzania Media Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization that promotes Media for the public good. He has developed a philosophy called the Tija Human person philosophy and a Work-learn approach which is a pre-colonial approach to education used by Africans to transform their environment before they came into contact with the colonizers.

Alice Feldman is an activist-educator, art maker and researcher in the School of Sociology, University College Dublin. She has worked at the intersections of aesthetics, epistemology and pedagogy in the contexts of knowledge justice projects across university, civic and grassroots landscapes for over 20 years

For more information and if you have any questions, please contact Elaine Mahon via email elaine@ideaonline.ie

Registration for this event is closed !

Biographies

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Showcase: Global Citizenship Education Research

Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:01:52 GMT

Date: 26 October, 10.00am - 1.00pm

Location: Ormond Meeting Rooms, 31 - 36 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7, D07 N5YH

We are inviting members and anyone working on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) research to join us for a Showcase of Global Citizenship Education Research on Thursday 26 October at the Ormond Meeting Rooms, Room 12, from 10.00am -1.00pm.

Whether you are interested in getting up to date with the ongoing research in the field in Ireland, would like to ensure you practice is informed by research, are interested in engaging more in research, already actively engaged in research, or, are simply curious about the field, there will be something for everyone.

This will be an opportunity to hear first-hand about ongoing Global Citizenship Education research from people who are at the heart of it. It will also be an opportunity to contribute your thoughts on the current state of play of research in the sector, identify shared research priorities for the sector, and what your own research needs as an individual or organisation are.

Registration opens at 09.30am and lunch will be offered at the end of the event at 1.00pm.

The event will begin with a Moderated Roundtable discussion followed by a Q&A. The second part will be a facilitated discussion amongst participants on their views on research in the sector and their needs.

This event has finished.

The programme is available here .

The Harvest Document from this event is available here.

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biographies

Workshop: Exploring Impact Measurement in Global Citizenship Education

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 15:41:24 GMT

Date: Thursday 19 October, 10.00am to 1.00pm

Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row Dublin 1

Join us for an exploratory workshop where we’ll be engaging in a conversation on approaches within the sector to Global Citizenship Education Impact Measurement in Ireland.

This event will be held on Thursday 19 October at the IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row Dublin 1, 10.00am to 1.00pm.

This will be an opportunity for practitioners to come together to explore the current state of play of Global Citizenship Education impact measurement in Ireland, and the experience and needs of those working in the sector.

The workshop will open with a presentation of a desk review commissioned by IDEA followed by a Panel discussion and a Q&A. This will be followed by a discussion facilitated in groups around central questions relating to Global Citizenship Education Impact Measurement in Ireland

Following on from the event we will create a report that will inform IDEA’s work in this area over the coming years and shape further discussion and activities around this topic.

Panellist to be announced soon.

Registration opens at 09.30am and lunch will be offered at the end of the event at 1.00pm.

This event has reached capacity. Please note that if you register now, you will be added to a waiting list and contacted if a place becomes available.

Members Test

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 18:37:47 GMT

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Call for Tender: Writer for Innovation Magazine

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:47:29 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is seeking a writer to work on a Magazine on Innovation in Global Citizenship Education. This would involve inputting into the magazine layout, as well as collecting the content for and writing approx.10 articles.

Deadline for application is Friday, 15 September, 12noon.

Full terms of reference are available here .

Send your application to communications@ideaonline.ie

Report on Code of Good Practice for Development Education 3 Year Review

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 12:11:00 GMT

A comprehensive review of the first 3 years of the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education has been carried out by independent consultants Dr. Jamie Gorman and Áine O’Gorman.

This took place between November 2022 and March 2023 and considered all aspects of the Code, including the wording of principles and indicators, processes and support structures.

The report sets out recommendations for how Code members and the Irish Development

Education Association (IDEA) can build on the successes of the first three years and continue to sustain

momentum in the Code’s implementation.

Updates will be made to Code documentation in coming weeks and months to reflect the findings and recommendations of the review process.

You can read the report here.

Call for Tender: Review of Approaches to Measuring Impact of GCE

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:19:18 GMT

IDEA wishes to explore approaches to measuring the impact of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Ireland. To this end, we are seeking applications from consultant/s to summarise the existing approaches to measuring and articulating the impact of Global Citizenship Education, and support further work in this area.

The work will consist of a desk review compiled in a paper that should include a preliminary analysis of principal approaches used for impact measurement in Global Citizenship Education and potentially: trends, any significant common approaches, any significant divergences, and other relevant analysis. This piece of work also includes the co-facilitation and input into the design of a workshop related to the findings of the desk review, and a report capturing the findings of the workshop. While there are three distinct tasks outlined above, we are also interested in hearing from candidates who may only be able to do the first output (the desk review).

You can find the ToR here .

Deadline for application is Friday 8 September.

European Year of Skills and Global Citizenship Education - Building Skills for a Sustainable World

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 10:02:54 GMT

2023 has been designated the European Year of Skills as the EU moves to ensure we are prepared for the Digital and Green Transition, but there is concern that it is narrowly focussed on employment skills and the needs of the Labour Market. While the idea of a European Year of Skills is very welcome, Global Citizenship Education (GCE) and civil society organisations are concerned that the EU is taking a narrow interpretation of skills a holistic approach that would encompass the transversal and life skills needed to strengthen sustainability, democracy, and social inclusion.

We believe that skills should be understood in a more holistic way to encompass those that not only provide for professional development but also the transversal and life skills required to strengthen sustainability, democracy, and social inclusion echoed so strongly in SDG 4.7 . In May 2023, the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA), in conjunction with our partners in Bridge 47, organised a Round Table event in the European Parliament with MEPs, European Commission officials and Civil Society organisations on the theme European Year of Skills and Global Citizenship Education - Building skills for a sustainable world.

The roundtable discussion focused on how a lifelong and life-wide learning approach to the European Year of Skills that looks beyond the labour market, can help learners to become active participants in society and build competencies for a more sustainable world.

The event was hosted by Barry Andrews MEP, Member of Development Committee and Chair of European Parliament SDG Alliance, who co-chaired the discussion with Maria Walsh MEP, Member of Employment and Social Affairs Committee and Culture and Education Committee. Other speakers included:

Grace O'Sullivan MEP, Member of Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Sean Kelly MEP, Member of Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Billy Kelleher MEP, Member of Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Joao Alberqueque MEP, Member of Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the Committee on Fisheries
Carlo Scatoli, Senior Expert, Skills Agenda Unit, Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Agnieszka Skuratowicz, Head of Unit –INTPA G3, Education, Youth and Culture, DG International Partnerships
Michael Teutsch, Head of Unit, EAC B,2, Youth, Education and Erasmus+, Schools and Multilingualism. DG Education, Youth, Sport and Culture,
Leo Kilroy, Education and Skills Attaché to Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union
Liam Wegimont, Executive Director, Global Education Network Europe (GENE)
Frank Geary, Director, Irish Development Education Association (IDEA)
Rilli Lappalainen, Chairperson Bridge 47 Network, A coalition of organisations and individuals from around the globe dedicated to furthering SDG Target 4.7 and Global Citizenship education.
Raffaela Kihrer, Deputy Secretary General and Head of Policy, European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA)

A range of Civil Society Organisations were also present including IDEA Members - Global Village, Meath Partnership, UCC Praxis, An Taisce Green Schools, Habitat for Humanity - Bridge 47, the Lifelong Learning Partnership, Platforma, Solidar, Concord and the DEAR Support team. A number of MEPs who were unable to attend were also represented at the event, including Chris McManus MEP, Frances Fitzgerald MEP and Deirdre Clune MEP.

Speaking at the event Frank Geary, IDEA Director said: “There is a huge opportunity with the European Year of Skills to embrace GCE and the transversal skills such as critical thinking and interdependence that we focus on. We also want to underline the importance of GCE and SDG 4.7 to all the work of the European Union. The text adopted by the EU Parliament on the European Year of Skills emphasises ‘ensuring socially fair and just green and digital transitions’ and ‘empowering individuals to fully participate in the labour market, society and democracy.’ Global Citizenship Education and SDG 4.7 are essential for this .”

Also speaking at the event, Rilli Lappalainen, Bridge 47 Chairperson said:

“We can’t achieve a sustainable future if we don’t take education and learning seriously in the context of the European Year of Skills. We need to understand that we need skills, not only for the labour force but for life. We need stakeholders such as the Commission and the European Parliament to take that aspect on board, seriously, so that we can live in harmony together with the planet.”

This was an open and positive discussion, and the central messages were clearly heard.

You can watch a short video with some of the key points from the roundtable below, featuring Barry Andrews MEP, Frank Geary, IDEA, and Rilli Lappalainen, Bridge 47 Network:

Call for Tender: Analysis of Data from 2022 - Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland

Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:13:38 GMT

IDEA is seeking a researcher to analyse the data gathered during 2022 as part of the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education (DE) in Ireland. The research will examine what the Code data represents about Development Education practice in Ireland including strengths, gaps, innovation, and how this data can help articulate the impact of DE in Ireland.

Deadline for application is Wednesday 28 June Midday.

Full terms of reference are available here

IDEA Annual Conference 2023

Thu, 11 May 2023 14:20:15 GMT

Transforming Global Citizenship Education: innovating for a better world

Date: Wednesday, 21 June

Location: The Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1

Join us for the IDEA Annual Conference 2023 on Transforming Global Citizenship Education: innovating for a better world, Wednesday, 21 June, in the Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay Lower, Dublin 1.

Explore what innovation is, how it can strengthen the impact of Global Citizenship Education, the opportunities for innovation, and how to overcome challenges to innovation.

Celebrate the innovative work of Global Citizenship Education practitioners in Ireland, and chat with and learn from others working in Global Citizenship Education and related areas.

Find out more and Register here!

IDEA AGM 2023

Thu, 11 May 2023 13:20:27 GMT

Date: Wednesday, 07 June, 9.30 - 12.00am

Location: Online

IDEA's Annual General Meeting 2023 will take place Wednesday, 07 June, 9.30 - 12.00am. This will also include a review of IDEA's 2019 - 2023 strategy and planning for IDEA's new Strategy.

The link to the event will be shared with registered participants closer to the time.

You must be a member of IDEA to attend.

Deadline has been extended: please register below by Monday 05 May!

Lab: The Innovator's Studio

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 11:15:14 GMT

Date: Thursday 22 June, 10.00am – 5.00pm

Location: Richmond Barracks, Dublin 8

The next session in our Innovation Series 2023, is our Lab “The Innovator's Studio”, 22 June, Richmond Barracks, Dublin 8, 10.00am – 5.00pm. This is a one day deep-dive laboratory where your ideas can come to life.

Facilitated by UCD Innovation Academy , the day will focus on Design Thinking and aims to provide you with the skills, tools and mindset you need to innovate your practice. This will also be an opportunity to connect and collaborate with like-minded practitioners.

You will work through the five stages of Design Thinking in a fast-paced day designed to generate ideas and advance them to the point where they can be tested. Design Thinking is a human centred problem solving methodology used by changemakers around the world. You’ll leave with tangible outputs that are ready to be applied within your own work context.

Founded in 2010, UCD Innovation Academy specialises in innovation, creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship and design thinking. It aims to be a catalyst for positive change in individuals, organisations and our society overall.

Join us and be inspired by stories of innovation, strengthen your ability to innovate and expand your creative skills. If this is your first time taking part in IDEA’s Innovation Series this year, you'll get a chance to familiarise yourself with the Innovator's Toolkit beforehand. The Studio will be a space where you can share experiences, explore, and gain support. It is also a great opportunity to do some hands-on experimenting.

This lab fits into the wider series of innovation activities organised by IDEA in 2023. The in-depth Knowledge and Skills workshop “The Innovator’s Toolkit”, and the topics explored in IDEA’s 2023 Annual Conference compliment the Innovator’s Studio Lab. All of these can also be attended as stand-alone events.

We will be providing accommodation for those attending this event, if you sign up by 31 May.

Cost:

IDEA Members: €90.00
Non Members: €120.00
Unwaged ( (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others): €5.00 - this can be paid in person

Design Thinking and Innovation sprints usually costs up to €2,000 per person. So, don’t miss out this great opportunity!

The fee includes breakfast, lunch, participation in a whole day of innovative project design and the chance for one-to-one support with design thinking specialists, as well as templates and tools to take away for each participant.

Registration for this event is now closed. If you would like to be added to a waiting list please contact please contact Anya Sparynska .

Workshop: The Innovator's Toolkit

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 08:54:57 GMT

Date: Tuesday 16 May, 10.30am - 3.30pm (please note change of date), and Friday 09 June, 10-12 noon

Location: Session 1: The Fumbally Stables, Dublin 8, and Session 2: Online via Zoom

IDEA is inviting you to join us for the first event in our Innovation Series 2023. This interactive and engaging 2-part workshop will introduce you to Innovation, as well as methods, exercises and activities that will help you identify your creative strengths, and enable you to think about, design and frame your projects differently.

The facilitators for this very first event in IDEA’s 2023 Innovation Series are Becky Hatchett, and Stéphanie Heckman of Think Visual . The aim is to equip participants with the tools they need to push the boundaries of how they think about their work, design their activities and engage with their audiences. Think Visual is a creative engagement consultancy that develops meaningful and impactful stakeholder engagement and communication. It helps organisations transform into places where people's spirit and innovation thrive, by harnessing their inherent creativity towards finding meaningful and purposeful connection to their work, their leaders and their peers.

The challenges Global Citizenship Education works to address are always evolving. To be able to respond effectively, we need to explore new ways of thinking about our work, designing our activities and engaging with our audiences. Strengthening our ability to imagine new solutions and trialling new ideas is vital to this. This is why IDEA is providing a space for our members to experiment and push the boundaries of Global Citizenship Education, so you can harness your creativity to bring about transformational change.

“It’s about creating ‘muscle memory’ for innovative ways of thinking and acting. The only way to learn innovation is to actually take action and do things”. - Emilia Saarelainen, Innovation Fellowship Programme Manager, UNHCR Innovation Service.

The workshop will take place across 2 sessions, Tuesday 16 May, 10.30am - 3.30pm, and Friday 09 June, 10-12 noon, and the activities will be grounded in practice, offering you the chance to start designing a project (real or fictional) that relates to you and your work. This could be designing a new workshop, a ground-breaking event or looking for a solution to a challenge you’re facing.

More details to follow shortly.

Fees:

Innovator's Toolkit Workshop:

IDEA Members: €90.00

Non Members: €120.00

Unwaged ( (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others): €5.00 - this can be paid in person

A general 2-day Design Thinking and Innovation training usually costs up to €1,500 per person. So, don’t miss out this great opportunity!

The fee includes participation in both days of the training workshop, lunch as well as templates and tools to take away for each participant.

The next session in our Innovation Series 2023 , is The Innovator's Studio , taking place 22 June, Richmond Barracks, Dublin 8, 10.00am – 5.00pm.

You can attend the Innovator's Toolkit Workshop or the Innovator's Studio Lab as stand alone events, but if you would like to take part in both, you can sign up for a combined reduced rate when you register below.

Fees for the Innovator's Toolkit Workshop & Innovator's Studio Lab:

IDEA Members €150.00

Non Members: €200.00

Unwaged ( (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others): €5.00 - this can be paid in person

For more information, please contact Anya Sparynska via email here

Registration for this event is closed!

Biographies

Recruitment for a Policy & Advocacy Manager

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 09:43:29 GMT

Recruitment: Policy & Advocacy Manager

This role is full time (some flexibility may be required, such as evening/weekend work), with a permanent contract, subject to ongoing funding.

Candidates invited for interview will be informed by 10 May. Interviews are expected to be held on the 12 & 15 May.

Read full job description here

Applications for this role are closed.

IDEA Policy & Advocacy Workshop

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 11:26:12 GMT

Date: Friday, 28 April, 11.00am - 12.30pm - Please note change of date!

Location: Online via Zoom

We are delighted to be hosting our first Policy & Advocacy Workshop of 2023, Friday 28 April from11.00am - 12.30pm. This will be an online event.

The workshop will focus on the policy asks of Vision 2025 – Towards a society of Global Citizens – IDEA’s strategy statement for the future of Global Citizenship Education created with our members’ knowledge and expertise. We will examine what progress has been made in achieving the main policy asks and what actions are still needed to deliver it.

We will also look at whether there are other areas we need to address. The workshop will also explore the development of a Policy and Advocacy Toolkit for members to use in their advocacy work with policy and decision-makers

Please register below.

The A-Z of Global Citizenship Education

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 10:59:58 GMT

Dates: Wednesday 29 March,10.00am - 4.00pm, and Tuesday 30 May,10.00am - 1.00pm

Location: Session 1: Ormond Meeting rooms, Dublin and Session 2: Online via Zoom

This two-part training workshop on the A-Z of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) is provided by IDEA and Concern Worldwide’s Active Citizenship team to support participants to deepen their understanding and develop their skills in Development Education/Global Citizenship Education delivery.

Development Education/Global Citizenship Education (DE/GCE) enables people to understand the world around them and to act to transform it. It works to tackle the root causes of injustice and inequality, globally and locally to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone. IDEA members use a variety of terms including Development Education, Global Citizenship Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Work and related terms.

The training is targeted at newcomers to Development Education/Global Citizenship Education, but is open to all. It will be useful for those who work on DE/GCE directly, as well as others who might be curious about it and wish to find out more. It will also be useful to anyone who wishes to brush up on their DE/GCE skills.

The training will:

Support educators to bring a global justice perspective to your educational work
Explore interactive and participatory approaches to DE/GCE
Provide information on relevant resources and supports for your DE/GCE work
Introduce you to the Code of Good Practice for Development Education
Increase understanding of the context of DE/GCE in Ireland, including relevant stakeholders.

It is being hosted by IDEA, in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, and will be facilitated by Elaine Mahon, IDEA, and Lauren Wright, Concern. It will take place over two sessions. The first day will take place in-person in Dublin on Wednesday, 29 March from 10.00am - 4.00pm. The second session will take place online on the morning of Tuesday, 30 May from 10.00am - 1.00pm.

Fees for members of IDEA is €50.00 and non-members of IDEA is €100.00. Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €3.00 - this can be paid in person.

Biographies

Recruitment for a Finance & Administration Officer (12 Month Maternity Cover)

Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:24:43 GMT

Recruitment for a Finance & Administration Officer (12 Months Maternity Cover)

IDEA is looking to recruit a Finance & Administration Officer on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave for 12 months. The successful candidate will coordinate the finance and administration function of the IDEA office. 

This is a varied role requiring good organisation and multi-tasking skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills and experience. The position is for 4 days per week.  Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) and CVs should be sent here.

All applications will be dealt with in full confidentiality. Candidates invited for interview will be informed by 8 March. 

Deadline for application has been extended to 3 March 2023. Read full Job description here

Development Education and the Economic Paradigm

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 15:45:29 GMT

Date: Tuesday, 14 February, 12.00pm – 1.30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

The Centre for Global Education & the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) invite you to a webinar on 'Development Education and the Economic Paradigm', taking place Tuesday, 14 February,12.00pm – 1.30pm online via zoom.

The chairperson for this webinar is Celina del Felice. She is an e ducator and researcher working on areas peace, intercultural and global citizenship education, youth participation and transnational activism. Speakers will include Harm-Jan Fricke who is a Development Education/Global Learning consultant working with local, national and international organisations in the UK and Europe, Anders Daniel Faksvåg Haugen a Doctorate candidate at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences education as a tool for nation-building in Tanzania and Irene Tollefsen a Doctorate candidate at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences on the economic dimension of the sustainable development concept.

This webinar has been organised to present and debate the content of Issue 35 of the Centre for Global Education’s bi-annual, open access, peer reviewed journal Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review. The theme of this issue is ‘Development Education and the Economic Paradigm’ which reflects upon the impact of the neoliberal economic system on social and economic inequality, and how the Development Education sector can respond to this challenge. Three of the articles published in Issue 35 will be presented at this seminar and will enable authors to debate their articles with readers and facilitate discussion on good practice in development education.

Each speaker will present their articles for 10-15mins followed by discussion. The three articles being presented at the seminar are: Addressing ‘Root Causes’? Development Agencies, Development Education and Global Economics by Harm-Jan Fricke, Education for Development: The Tanzanian Experience by Anders Daniel Faksvåg Haugen and Development’s Disappearance: A Metaphor Analysis of Sustainable Development in Norwegian Core Curriculum by Irene Tollefsen.

This webinar will be of particular interest to those involved in Development Education, Global Citizenship Education, Development Studies / Tertiary Education and International Development.

This webinar is free but registration is essential.

There will be Irish Sign Language interpretation in this webinar.

Deadline for registration is Friday 10 February.

Registration for this event is closed.

Biographies

The Rights of Indigenous Women Around the World – Understanding Root Causes of Inequality and Injustice

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 13:51:48 GMT

Date: Tuesday 06 December,  12.00noon – 1.30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

This webinar will introduce participants to the challenges facing indigenous women, explore  right-based approaches in biodiversity conservation, and examine the root causes of injustice and inequality among indigenous people globally and locally. Our speakers will be Joseph Moses Oleshangay , an advocate with the Legal and Human Rights Centre in Tanzania and Dr. Sindy Joyce who is an Irish Traveller, a Human Rights Defender, a sociologist, and a member of President Michael D Higgins Council of State.

Indigenous women’s rights are embedded in international laws and human rights conventions, such as the  Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) of 1979. Joseph Moses Oleshangay will be speaking about how despite this protection (Tanzania ratified CEDAW in 1989), the rights of the Indigenous Maasai women in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) are violated at the national and international levels by governments and the private sector. How they are being threatened with eviction from their motherland in the name of conservation, and how this lack of respect for their rights is leading to gender inequality.

For more information on the issue, please read an article written by our staff member Maximiliana Mtenga when on placement at STAND an Initiative of Suas.

This event is free and open to all.

Registration for this event is closed.

Biographies

Workshop to Prepare Submission to Department of Education on Revised UNESCO 1974 Recommendation

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 12:05:17 GMT

Date: Tuesday, 13 December 2.30pm to 3.30pm - please note the change of date!

Location: Zoom

UNESCO is currently undertaking a revision of the landmark 1974 Recommendation concerning education for international understanding, co-operation and peace and education relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms  which for the first time brought together peace, international understanding, human rights, fundamental freedoms and education (and long before the terms Global Citizenship Education or Education for Sustainable Development were coined).

The 1974 Recommendation called on Member States to ensure that their education policies are guided by a global perspective. This is a far-sighted document which has informed ESD policy over many decades.

The  p reliminary report and the first draft of the revised 1974 Recommendation   were transmitted to Member States, for their written comments and observations to be submitted by 23 December 2022.

IDEA plans to submit observations to the Department of Education on this draft, and we are inviting our members to join us for this workshop to discuss the draft and share input for IDEA’s submission.

Press Release: Dublin Declaration a Milestone for Global Education

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:52:31 GMT

Global Citizenship Education at heart of tackling global challenges

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) welcomes the adoption of the milestone European Declaration on Global Education to 2050 by ministers from across Europe, at the European Congress on Global Education to 2050, #GE2050, hosted by Irish Aid in Dublin Castle today. The process leading to the adoption of the Dublin Declaration was co-chaired by Ireland and Luxembourg over the past 18-months. The Declaration was developed by GENE, the network of Ministries and Agencies with national responsibility for Global Education in European countries, with input from civil society, youth organisations, research and educational institutions and a number of global critical friends.

Speaking at the Congress, Frank Geary, Director of IDEA, said: ''We welcome the commitments by the ministers today towards achieving access to quality Global Citizenship Education (GCE) for all by 2050. This Declaration is a milestone for GCE and for education more broadly. It clearly positions GCE as central to developing the critical thinking, skills, attitudes, and values we need to tackle the many challenges ahead. It also provides a strategic framework that takes us beyond the United Nations’ Sustainable Development. Goals.

The Dublin Declaration recognises the importance of GCE in responding to the growing necessity to put global and local justice, solidarity, and other issues at the heart of education system reform, curricula, and learning. This is something that is already visible in Irish education – through the second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Strategy (2021-2025) and the plans to introduce a new Leaving Certificate subject on Climate Action and Sustainable Development in 2024.

Ireland has already been recognised at European and international level as a leader in GCE because of the quality of the organisations and programmes being run, and the support structures that are in place for the sector. We in IDEA look forward to playing our role in the further strengthening and growth of GCE both here and in Europe in the coming years.”

Further Information:

IDEA, the Irish Development Education Association , is the national network for Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Ireland representing over 90 organisations involved in the practice of GCE across the formal, non-formal and informal education settings.
IDEA members include Development NGOs, such as Concern, Trócaire, GOAL, Plan International; youth organisations such as the National Youth Council of Ireland and the YMCA; community and voluntary organisations such as Comhlámh, Development Perspectives; educational institutions and networks such as the Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education in DCU, Dept of International Development Maynooth University, trade unions such as the Association for Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI), and other civil society organisations such as Children in Crossfire and Poetry Ireland. Full list of our members available here .
The Dublin Declaration (attached) was endorsed by Governments from across Europe. It will involve the European Union, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Ms Jutta Urpilainnen, has already strongly endorsed the process.
In addition to Governments and International Organisations, the Congress and Declaration involved civil society and youth organisations, research and educational institutions and local and regional authorities

For additional information, please contact us

Code Network Meeting

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:30:18 GMT

Date: Tuesday 29 November, 10.00am - 4.00pm

Location: Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay lower, Dublin 1

IDEA is looking forward to welcoming all members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education to our upcoming Code network meeting on Tuesday 29 November, in the Morrison Hotel, Ormond Quay lower, Dublin 1. One of the commitments in joining the Code, is to also contribute to the Community of Practice for this Code including sharing successes and learning with other Code members and attending Code network meetings.

This meeting will be the first chance we have had to bring Code members together in person since the launch of the Code in December 2019. When the Code was launched in 2019, we also agreed to review it following three years of implementation. The Code Network meeting will also be an important part of the Code Review process.

If you are not a Code member yet but interested in joining, please contact us.

As requested by Code members at the last Code Network Meeting (May 2022), this is being run as an in-person event. If would like to participate, but it is impossible for you attend in person, please contact us before Friday, 04 November. We may be able to accommodate some remote participation.

There are places for two attendees from each Code member.

Please register below.

Code of Good Practice – Information Session for those interested in joining in 2023

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 13:00:25 GMT

Code of Good Practice for Development Education – New Members

The Code of Good Practice for Development Education will open again for new members to join and submit their first self-assessment in February 2023.

An information session will be held on Wednesday 26 October from 12 midday – 1pm on Zoom to provide information to IDEA members who wish to find out more about the process and possibly join the Code this year.

The first deadline for Code submissions in 2023 will be in February and the second in August. Membership of the Code is open to all members of IDEA, including individual members.

To find out more, contact us

You can register for this session below.

Irish Aid 2023 Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for Proposal

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 15:56:47 GMT

The 2023 Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for Proposals is now open.

The call for proposals can be found at this link under the ‘Applying for Funding’ tab. It also includes links to the Guidelines, FAQ documents, as well as information on DEAR co-funding.

Key dates include

Thursday, 27 October, 5.00pm: Completed eligibility forms must be submitted to the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Organisations who have not received global citizenship education funding in the past or if the organisation has not completed an eligibility form or been deemed eligible to apply over the last 3 years (2020, 2021 and 2022 call for proposals) must complete an eligibility form. Organisations can request an Eligibility Form by emailing the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox.
Friday, 04 November: Organisations that submitted a completed Eligibility Criteria Form by the deadline will be notified of their eligibility
Friday, 09 December, 5.00pm: The completed application form, signed by the legal representative of the organisation (e.g. the CEO or the Chair of the Board) should be e-mailed to the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox.

IDEA Support around the Grants Round:

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications will take place Thursday, 20 October, 10.00am – 12.00pm, on Zoom. Find out more...
Results Frameworks for Beginners Workshop will take place Tuesday 08 November, 2.00-4.00pm, on Zoom. Find out more...
Improving your Results Frameworks Workshop will take place Thursday 17 November, 10.00am – 12.00 midday, on Zoom. Find out more...

Improving your Results Frameworks Workshop

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 15:31:28 GMT

Date: Thurday 17 November, 10.00am – 12.00 midday

Location: Zoom

This session is part of IDEA’s support on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round. This year we are running two distinct and complementary workshops on ‘Results Frameworks for Global Citizenship Education’, both led by Susan Gallwey.

This workshop is focused on supporting those who are familiar with Results Frameworks and have begun work on the Results Framework for their application. This runs from 10.00am – 12.00 midday on Thursday 17 November via Zoom.

This session will also be a good follow-on session for anyone attending the ‘Results Frameworks for beginners’ workshop on 08 November . Participants are invited to prepare for this session as follows:

b) Those participants from organisations who have NOT previously submitted a Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education to Irish Aid and/or people who are new to Results Frameworks should attend the introductory session on 08 November Results Frameworks for Beginners.

IDEA provides support for members, and spaces for members to support one another in applying for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all and offered online. As in 2020 and 2021, this year we also invite any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

The Results Framework Toolkit being used for this training will be available for download before and after the training. If you would like a hard copy of the Results Framework Toolkit sent to you, please register by 25 October.

Otherwise, deadline for registration is 14 November.

Results Frameworks for Beginners Workshop

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 15:14:51 GMT

Date : Tuesday 08 November, 2.00-4.00pm

Location : Zoom

This session is part of IDEA’s support around the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round. This year we are running two distinct and complementary workshops on ‘Results Frameworks for Global Citizenship Education’, both led by Susan Gallwey.

This workshop is for anyone applying for an Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education grant who is new to developing Results Frameworks. This runs Tuesday 08 November, 2.00-4.00pm via Zoom.

It is aimed at participants from organisations who have NOT previously submitted a Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education, to Irish Aid.

People who are new to Results Frameworks should first attend this introductory session Results Frameworks for Beginners, if they wish to attend the 'Improvers' session on 17 November .

Registration for this event is now closed.

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications 2023

Tue, 04 Oct 2022 14:22:23 GMT

Date: Thursday 20 October, 10.00am – 12.00pm

Location: Zoom

Our first training event focusing on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round is a Grants Clinic, facilitated by IDEA staff and focusing on the application form. This will take place on Thursday 20 October from 10.30am – 12.30pm via Zoom.

IDEA provides support for members and spaces for members to support one another in applying for Irish Aid Development Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all.

As in 2020 and 2021, this year we are also inviting any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

Deadline for registration is 5.00pm, Wednesday 19 October.

Registration for this event is now closed.

Policy and Advocacy Workshop

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 08:51:54 GMT

Date: Wednesday, 12 October, 2.30 - 4.30pm

Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1 & on Zoom

We are delighted to be hosting our first Policy & Advocacy Workshop in the IDEA Office at 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1, 2.30 to 4.30p.m. on Wednesday, 12 October. We understand that people may have limited capacity to attend in person events, so this will be a hybrid event.

There have been a number of interesting developments in the Policy and Advocacy area of our work in recent months. Items on the agenda will include:

The upcoming GENE Declaration on Global Learning
The EU Development Education Awareness Raising (DEAR) call
The Public Consultation on the Development of Leaving Certificate subject on Climate Action and Sustainable Development
Outcomes of the UN Transforming Education Summit.

We will have contributions from Rilli Lappalainen, FINGO; Jen Harris,Slí Waterford; a UN Youth Delegate; a representative from GENE; and Emer Costello and Frank Geary, IDEA.

Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available on arrival from 2.00pm.

Please register below.

Press Release: Funding increase needed to support Global Citizenship in Ireland

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 10:00:21 GMT

Funding increase needed to support Global Citizenship in Ireland

Global Citizenship crucial to achieving Ireland’s commitments to SDGs

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is calling on the Government to increase Global Citizenship Education Funding to support Ireland’s commitments to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals , starting with a commitment of €10 million in Budget 2023.

Target 4.7 of the Sustainable Development Goals aims to ensure that all learners gain the knowledge and skills needed to be able to promote sustainable and equitable development and fulfil all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

In its recent  Development Assistance Committee Peer Review of Ireland , the OECD noted that “Ireland has received international recognition for its Development Education (Global Citizenship Education) strategies” but that “mobilising more funds for Development Education, would allow Ireland to reap the benefits of its strong approach to promoting global citizenship.”

Frank Geary, Director of IDEA said: "The quality Global Citizenship Education provided in Ireland enables people to understand the world, and engage with issues such as climate justice, equality, and racism. IDEA members reach hundreds of thousands of people of all ages across the island of Ireland, supporting them in exploring these issues, and taking action for change. Global Citizenship Education is crucial to achieving Ireland’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and we are almost half-way through the timeline for the Goals. Significantly increasing investment in Global Citizenship Education at this point will not only enable the fulfilment of Ireland’s commitments to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, but the delivery of key parts of the Programme for Government.“

IDEA’s Pre-Budget submission has outlined six recommendations for the Government in the run up to Budget 2023:

Support delivery of quality lifelong quality Global Citizenship Education (GCE) programmes that reaches all of society #SDG 4.7
In line with the European Benchmark, increase Global Citizenship Education Funding to 3% of Official Development Assistance Budget by 2025, starting with a commitment of €10 million in Budget 2023
Include dedicated Global Citizenship Education funding streams in relevant national strategies such as the Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development, the National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals, the Climate Action Plan, and the National Plan Against Racism
Work towards Official Development Assistance target of 0.7% GNI as called for by Dóchas
Ensure strategic cross-government prioritisation and policy coherence for Global Citizenship Education
Ensure that Global Citizenship Education grantees are adequately resourced, so that those working in this sector have decent and secure work in line with SDG 8.

Call for Tender: Review of The Code Of Good Practice For Development Education In Ireland

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 09:50:11 GMT

IDEA is seeking an external consultant(s) to carry out a review of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education , following the first 3 years of the Code’s implementation. The review will examine all aspects of the Code including the content of the Code (principles and indicators), the Code process (self-assessment, action planning, timing, review and feedback from IDEA) and other support structures such as the website, Slack workspace, Community of Practice, mentoring system.

The review will seek input from diverse stakeholders in the Code and will take place in late 2022/early 2023. It will culminate in a report that highlights what should be maintained in the Code and its processes and what should be changed, as well as clear proposals around possible changes and potential areas for future strategic development of the Code.

Please note the deadline for application has been extended to is 5.00pm, Thursday 06 October . You can contact us for any further information.

Full Terms of Reference available here .

Transformative Education for Times of Crises

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 15:28:13 GMT

This blog was written by Tereza Čajková and Aurèle Destrée, who facilitated a workshop called “Transformative education for times of crises“ at the IDEA conference on Wednesday, 23 June 2022.

The “Transformative education for times of crises“ workshop invited participants to question how our modern/colonial ways of thinking, being, and living are bringing our world to the point of collapse. Also, what we need to (un-)learn to navigate the current and future crises we are facing.

Tereza Čajková introduced the methodological approach and pedagogical materials of the Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures Collective (GTDF). This collective works on questions related to historical, systemic, and ongoing colonial violence and the ecological unsustainability of our current habits (or ‘ways of living’). The pedagogical aim of this approach is to support the development of capacities to hold what is difficult, complex, and uncomfortable without feeling overwhelmed or paralysed. And to learn how to navigate relationships in times when a sense of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity is increasing.

During the workshop, we explored how the following four denials mark the modern-colonial habit of being:

denial of systemic violence and complicity in harm: the fact that our comforts, securities and enjoyments are subsidised by expropriation and exploitation somewhere else
denial of the limits of the planet: the fact that a finite planet cannot sustain infinite growth and consumption
the denial of entanglement: our insistence on seeing ourselves as separate from each other and the land, rather than “entangled” within a living socio-ecological metabolism
the denial of the magnitude and complexity of the problem: the difficulties we will need to face together.

These denials can be understood as defences against the social and ecological realities of our situation. Consequently, the GTDF collective suggests that if what is at the core of our global problems is denial rather than ignorance, as educators, we need to consider a very different kind of educational and methodological approach.

For the standard mode of modern education, the GTDF collective uses an analogy of ‘filling up cups’ with knowledge, competencies and skills to address ignorance, or an image of a person climbing or conquering a peak, where learners are prepared to arrive at a state of mastery, readiness and confidence to function in a given world. These types of education focusing on personal empowerment and mastery of knowledge and skills are termed “mastery education”.

However, as the world in crisis is turning into an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous place, we need to learn how to navigate unpredictable realities, doing so with a deep social and ecological accountability.

The GTDF collective proposes a “depth education” approach to address the denials in a way that centres neither the teacher nor the learner but the world itself. This approach sees the role of education h as developing capacities and stamina to stay with the complexities and difficulties that we tend to resist or run away from and to learn to practice how to disarm and de-emphasise the ego.

Rather than focusing on ‘content’, depth education focuses on creating social-pedagogical ‘containers’ that can hold difference, discomfort and dissensus in generative ways. Without these containers, we may be left with superficial engagements that tend to fall apart when tensions and disagreements surface.

As an example of the depth education approach, we experienced the Education 2048 exercise . This pedagogical experiment intends to clear space and build collective capacity to reflect on the role of education in confronting the potential or likelihood of social and ecological collapse in (and/or beyond) our lifetimes. It is a head and heart experiment that opens essential questions. For example, how to educate for human responsibility considering the needs of the next seven generations of humans and non-humans alike?

The Anthropocene is a term used to describe the most recent period in Earth’s history when human activity started to have a significant negative impact on the planet’s climate and ecosystems.

At this moment in time, we need to deeply question what and how we learn, without any certainty that we now know better, but with the commitment to learn from the violence, unsustainability, and repeated mistakes of the past so that we only make different mistakes in the future.

Organisational Culture Change: a systems change approach to diversity and inclusion

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 13:12:08 GMT

Date: 27 September & 04 October 10.00am – 1.00pm

Location: Online via Zoom

About this workshop: As educators in Development Education/Global Citizen Education, we want more diversity and inclusion in our organisations, and that our practices and organisational culture reflect the key values of Development Education/Global Citizen Education. This two-part workshop offers a systemic approach to culture change within organisations with a focus on oppressive systems, their legacy and impacts on how we work. We will also look at our organisations or teams and discuss how to move them towards greater wellbeing and equity, for all. This event is designed and delivered by Kathryn McCabe, the Change Agency.

Cost:

Fee for members of IDEA is €40.00
Fee for non-members of IDEA is €80.00

Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €2.00. Attendance by 2 or more members of a team is encouraged. Please contact IDEA for a discount if more than one member of your team/organisation would like to attend.

Production, Impact and Continuous Learning: Let's talk Resources...

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:18:06 GMT

Date: Wednesday 14 September 12 midday – 1.30pm

Location: Online via Zoom

This interactive webinar will focus on good practice in the development of resources for Development/Global Citizenship Education work. It will include an overview of the evolution of ‘what is a resource’, and how to develop a resource in line with Principle 6 of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education . We will also be exploring how to monitor the use of resources and their potential impact. The session will provide space for an open discussion around the challenges faced by both users and producers of resources.

The session is hosted by IDEA, in collaboration with developmenteducation.ie , and will be facilitated by Tony Daly and Ciara Regan.

Cost: Free of charge

Image Credit: Alpha Stock Images & Nick Youngson

Development Education and Conflict

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 15:59:31 GMT

This blog was written by Gertrude Cotter (Lecturer at the Centre for Global Development, UCC), Zelalem Sibhat (Lecturer in Mekelle University, Tigray, Ethiopia), and Gerard McCann (Senior Lecturer in International Studies and Head of International Programmes at St Mary's College, Belfast), who facilitated a workshop called ‘War, Peace and the future of Development Education’ at the IDEA conference on Wednesday 23 June 2022.

Below they each share personal reflections on the different elements of their workshop

Call for Tender: Membership Consultant

Thu, 04 Aug 2022 14:30:35 GMT

IDEA is seeking an external consultant to support us with a review of our membership income. The external consultant’s role will be developing strategies to increase membership income, advising on membership fee categories, and advising on the communication roll out of the revised membership fees to our network.

Deadline for application is midday, Tuesday, 30 August.

Full Terms of Reference available here .

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Recruitment for Programme Officer

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 13:19:54 GMT

Recruitment for Programme Officer

To support delivery of IDEA’s Pioneering Programme, focussing on Innovation, Impact and Partnerships in Global Citizenship Education. This is a varied role requiring programme delivery experience, interpersonal skills, good organisation and multi-tasking skills.

Deadline for applications has been extended to: 5pm, 15th August, 2022

Full Job Specification available here

Síolta Chroí - Regenerating People and Wider Nature

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 15:54:40 GMT

This blog was written by Gareth Colon and Karen Jeffares of Síolta Chroí, who facilitated a workshop called ‘Ecosystem Restoration and Development Education: Regenerating People and Wider Nature’ at the IDEA conference on Wednesday 23 June 2022.

Can we create systems that restore ecosystems, sequester carbon and build biodiversity while supporting our communities to thrive? At Síolta Chroí we explore the concepts of permaculture and regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, development education and contemplative wisdom practices and spiritual practices to explore this question.

Our mission is to restore Ireland’s ecosystems and communities. We focus on Ireland but global justice work is inherent in what we do. We are part of a global movement called ecosystem restoration camps . This is a movement of communities from all over the world connecting up and working to restore the ecosystems of their local and global community.

At Síolta Chroí we frame our work under three pillars:

1) Education focused on regenerative cultures

The concept of regenerative culture acknowledges that the regeneration of degraded ecosystems and landscapes is not only a physical or technical concern, it is a deeply cultural one too. The dominant way of thinking in our culture has us disconnected from the natural world. If we make changes to heal the land but don’t change our relationship to that land, we will continue to damage the planet around us in one way or another. Regeneration thus requires a shift in perspective so that we see ourselves as co-inhabitants of this planet rather than the dominant species. How can we do this? We believe that deep individual and collective work is required that brings us through a journey of self-awareness, healing and transformation

2) Exploring resilient and regenerative food systems

A regenerative food system creates resilience by localizing economies, supporting biodiversity, sequestering carbon and building greater food security. Our current food system is carbon heavy, de-localized and in many cases is poisoning the planet and our bodies. The food systems that we are exploring are ones that work with mother nature. A question to ask might be ‘What would a system look like that worked with Mother Nature’? Rather than trying to dominate over her. What would it look like if our food systems supported her to build up and work with nature to thrive in abundance? One example we explored in our workshop was a food forest. Have a look at this short video .

3) Ecosystem restoration work

Ecosystem restoration provides tools to restore degraded landscapes. This offers us a chance to stave off the worst effects of climate change. Sequestering the excess carbon in our atmosphere on a massive scale is one of the last remaining solutions. By rehabilitating degraded ecosystems and restoring the soil to health on a wide scale, we can sequester enough carbon to create a safe level in the atmosphere.

An amazing example of what is possible happened in a relatively short space of time in China in an area called the Loess Plateau. Film maker John D. Liu documented the process in just 14 years an area roughly the size of Belgium was restored. You can watch the film here .

Conclusion

It is hard to write this and not enter into a colonial way of speaking. The limitations of our language means that when speak we speak in a way that separates humans and nature when in reality, we are one and the same.

This separating humans from nature leads to thinking in the environmental movement such as humans are bad, how can humans do less harm? Our responses to the ecologicial crisis are in limiting the effects of our badness on wider nature. Ben Folks, a permaculture designer in the USA, points out if that is how we think and we follow that thinking then we are better off dead. That is the only way to genuinely do no harm. To this he says “I want to live and I want the people and place around me to benefit because I have lived”. One of the aspects we love about permaculture and regeneration is it asks the question ‘What if humans were a healing presence’?

Clearly we need healin g from all manner of traumas at every level; from individuals to the planetary ecosystems. Perhaps by healing the land we can begin to heal ourselves and our traumatised culture. However to do this global justice education is essential.

For this and more information on our work go to www.sioltachroi.ie or https://fb.me/e/7px4Q1esQ

Business and Human Rights

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 16:16:44 GMT

This blog outlines the ideas in a workshop on ‘Global Business and Human rights,’ facilitated by Mark Cumming at the IDEA conference on Wednesday 23 June 2022

The workshop looked at participants’ engagement and awareness of globalisation and the role that global business had played in this – the Menti word cloud, above, explored where the clothes of participants had been made – if illustration was needed of how globalisation is ever present in our lives, this Menti demonstrated this.

In any exploration of the issues of the power of business, educators often meet the objection that they are anti-business; to show participants how to address this, we explored again via Menti the positives that business bring, while then exploring the challenges that need to be addressed, which was so eloquently put by the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative on Business and Human Rights who said:

“There is an unsustainable imbalance between the scope of markets and business organisations on the one hand and the capacity of societies to protect and promote the core values of social community.”

Our exploration of business and human rights took a quick history tour of the various phases of the industrialised / western world to regulate the power of business, going back to the anti-trust movement of the late 19 ^th century. This brought us to an examination of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), where it came from, what it is about, what it is not about, who is promoting it and what of its critiques. As a business led process, it has its merits in prompting business to reflect on other aspects of its business other than the bottom line. Interestingly it is only the arch neo-liberals who have opposed it as ‘charity with other people’s money’ (i.e. the money of shareholders). We looked at how CSR can promote a sense of responsibility, however it does not and cannot hold business to account for actions that harm human rights. The crux of the matter is responsibility versus accountability; companies cannot be solely left to take upon themselves the responsibility to act in a certain manner. Like all bodies they must be held to account! Self-regulation is not enough.

Participants brainstormed on campaigns that they knew of where civil society (often coalitions of human rights and environmental NGOs, trade unions and social movements working together) sought to tackle very egregious abuses of rights. This led us to explore the myriad of CSR initiatives that can be company led, industry led and in some cases are multi-stakeholder initiatives, e.g. the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, supporting transparency regarding revenues earned in mining.

An input was given on the range of actions that are laid out in the Trócaire Advocacy Manual on Business and Human Rights; this contains 21 separate actions that groups interested to engage a company can take part in. It situates the place of CSR initiatives and how these can be leveraged to create pressure, all within a context of appreciating their inherent limitations. These actions also engage with some of the new thinking on business and human rights encapsulated in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, developed in 2011. Participants then worked in groups and considered a case-study prepared for the workshop of an imaginary company with various teasers helping them to connect back to the 21 actions. Groups were asked to consider which action points were relevant to put pressure on companies to change their policies and practices that were infringing human rights which led to a good Q and A before we wrapped up.

In closing, the workshop encouraged participants to engage with the new work emerging from within the Irish Coalition on Business and Human Rights, an extensive resources list was also shared that would be of value to development educators in their work.

This blog was written by Mark Cumming, former Private Sector Advocacy Officer in Trócaire. He recently stepped down as Head of Comhlámh and is currently the Development Coordinator of the Sisters of St Louis while also engaging in freelance education, training and facilitation work. He can be contacted here .

Photo Credit: Human rights by Nick Youngson

Recruitment for Capacity Development & Communications Officer

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:17:41 GMT

Recruitment for Capacity Development & Communications Officer

IDEA is recruiting a Capacity Development & Communications Officer to support delivery of IDEA’s Capacity Development events programme and Communications with members and external audiences. This is a varied role requiring events & communications experience, interpersonal skills, good organisation and multi-tasking skills.

Deadline for applications: 5pm, 15th July, 2022 - more details here

Policy and Advocacy Information Meeting

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 15:22:57 GMT

Join us for an Online Discussion/Information Meeting on

GENE - Global Education to 2050 - The Dublin Declaration
Draft Second SDG Implementation Report (2022-24)
IDEA's Pre-Budget Submission (preliminary discussion)

When:

Thursday, 09 Jun, 11am - 12 noon

Where:

Online

IDEA AGM 2022

Thu, 12 May 2022 15:48:21 GMT

Date: Tuesday, 07 June, 9.30 - 11.00am

Location: Online

IDEA's Annual General Meeting 2022 will take place Tuesday, 07 June, 9.30 - 11.00am. This AGM will enable IDEA to continue to be an effective and responsive network during this time of great change, and will include a presentation of IDEA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Partnership programme

The link to the event will be shared with registered participants closer to the time.

You must be a member of IDEA to attend.

Please register below by 31 May!

Call for Tender: Training workshops at the IDEA Annual Conference

Tue, 03 May 2022 13:55:23 GMT

IDEA is seeking trainers to deliver training workshops for participants as part of the IDEA Conference in June 2022. The successful candidates will design and deliver individual training workshops on topics relating to the conference theme. Each trainer/trainer team will be responsible for creating the content of their own 2-3 hours workshop and for facilitating the full session. The workshops can be run in-person, online or as a hybrid session. This role is open to individual freelance trainers, or trainers within organisations, including IDEA members.

Deadline for application is Tuesday, 17 May.

Full terms of reference available here .

IDEA Annual Conference 2022

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:01:24 GMT

The Future of Global Citizenship: educating for a changing world

Date: 21 & 22 June

We are living in a time of great change. From the upheaval of the Covid 19 pandemic, to the push for systemic change to tackle racism and the climate emergency. Technology is allowing people to connect and mobilise around issues in a way that hasn’t been seen previously in history, but this is also fuelling an increase in polarisation and division.

The rapid response to the pandemic has shown that positive change can be achieved quickly, if the will is there. However, the scale of the challenges we face can be overwhelming.

We need to be effective and collective in our response. This will require skills that support interconnected global learning, critical thinking and effective action.

At this year’s conference we will be exploring:

What’s the role for Development Educators in the coming years?
What changes do we need to make to respond effectively to what’s coming down the line?
What skills will be needed?

Join us 21&22 June to discuss these questions and more.

Find out more and register here!

Networking Session: Irish Research Council New Foundations Grants 2022

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 08:46:31 GMT

Date: 03 May, 11.00am

Location: Online

The Irish Research Council has launched a grants pre-call for New Foundations 2022 which will include research supporting Irish Aid’s Global Citizenship Education Strategy and the National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development. This funding, which is being supported by the Irish Research Council, Irish Aid and the Department of Education, will include research grants of €10,000. Deadline for application is 4.00pm, 21 June.

IDEA is holding a networking session on 03 May for members interested in applying for the New  Foundations 2022 research funding. This session will consist of a short briefing on New Foundations, by Brenda Blake, manager of the COALESCE and New Foundations programmes in the Irish Research Council . This will be followed by discussion, and an opportunity for members to network and explore possible collaborations. IDEA’s membership includes both researchers based in Higher Education Institutes and practitioners working across lifelong learning in formal, informal and non-formal education settings.  Our aim with this session is to provide an opportunity for members to explore collaborations, and in doing so to strengthen connections between research and practice in Global Citizenship Education and Education for Sustainable Development.

This will be online session.

Biographies

Decolonising Development Education

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 15:25:51 GMT

Dates : Tuesday 31 May and Tuesday 30 August, 10.30am – 4pm (Tea and Coffee from 10am)

Location: Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2

This 2 part workshop is targeted at Development Education/Global Citizenship Education practitioners. So much information about the world is filtered through a Euro-centric lens, whether it be media, history books and educational curricula. This includes knowledge and understanding about issues relating to development, which all too often occludes the role (and implications) of Europeans as colonisers, slave traders, settlers, missionaries.

What does this mean for our Development Education content and practice to date? This 2 part training workshop is an invitation to explore this question and more. How does the colonial legacy play out in Development Education content and practice? Where are its visible (and not so visible) imprints? What do decolonial approaches look like/feel like? How might they strengthen our efforts towards a truly transformative education?

The training is hosted by IDEA, in collaboration with Comhlámh and WorldWise Global Schools , and will be facilitated by Sive Bresnihan (Comhlámh) and Lizzy Noone (WorldWise Global Schools). It will take place over two days in-person – Tuesday 31 May and Tuesday 30 August. There will be an invitation to carry out a task in between the sessions and engage in some reflection with another training participant.

Cost:

Fee for members of IDEA, Comhlamh or WorldWise Global Schools* is €60.00

Fee for non-members of IDEA, Comhlamh or WorldWise Global Schools is €100.00

Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €5.00 - this can be paid in person

*member rate applies to schools and NGOs who work with WorldWise Global Schools

Please note: This workshop is now full. If you would like to be added to the waiting list, please register below. You will be contacted if a place becomes available for you.

Biographies

Policy & Advocacy Workshop

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 10:05:39 GMT

Date: Wednesday, 04 May, 10.00am

Location: Zoom

IDEA will be holding a Policy and Advocacy Workshop for our members on Wednesday, 04 May, 10.00am. The workshop will provide an introduction to IDEA’s Policy and Advocacy work and how our members can input into this. We will also be exploring how best we can serve members' needs.

Our Strategy Document Vision 2025 - Towards a Society of Global Citizens has recently been updated in light of the publication of the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Strateg y and we will also be presenting the updated version. You can view the outline of the session here .

Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Webinar: Inclusion within the Development Education Sector

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 09:08:13 GMT

Date: Wednesday 27 April, 12.30 – 2.00pm

Location: Online

IDEA is hosting a webinar, in collaboration with CBM Ireland , to explore the issue of inclusion across the Irish Development Education sector, and to highlight the needs that exist and ways to address them. This will be facilitated by Valery Molay , with speakers from within the Development Education sector, Mbemba Jabbi , Africa Centre, David Nyaluke , Proudly Made in Africa, Mahbub Kabir , CBM Ireland, and Johnny Sheehan , The Wheel and IDEA Chairperson.

The discussion will include questions that have arisen through the work of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education Ireland, as well as a critical conversation on inclusive programming, ensuring Development Education content, tools and materials, facilitation and other processes ensure inclusion as well.

If you have questions please contact us

Biographies

Recruitment for Code Of Good Practice for Development Education Panel

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 09:26:36 GMT

IDEA is recruiting for the panel of experts who support the review of the self-assessments by members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland. This panel has been in place since 2021 and currently has 8 members. The new panel members will receive training and be ready to review self-assessments at the next Code submission deadline in Summer 2022.

Deadline for application is 5:00pm Thursday 28 April .

Full terms of reference available here .

A starter guide – talking to young people about war in Ukraine

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 18:43:37 GMT

As an organisation focused on Global Citizenship, IDEA stands in solidarity with people in Ukraine, and all those affected by conflict around the world. Everything about war opposes the values at the core of Development Education – global solidarity, empathy, partnership, equality, sustainability, human rights and challenging unequal power relations. At the root of our work is the desire to support people in processing issues like this, that can seem overwhelming, so that they feel empowered to take action. This blog post by developmenteducation.ie, shares a list of resources that we hope will help educators provide that support for others.

As the World watches the horror unfold, it is extremely difficult to comprehend or make sense of what is happening to our fellow human beings in Ukraine. In real time, we are all watching, reading, listening and consuming media and information through our TVs, radios and smart phones. We have seen such images all too often of late. Eerily similar images of war from Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen and Palestine, to name but a few.

Numerous collections have been arranged all over Ireland through schools, parishes, GAA clubs, community groups and beyond, to gather everything from medical supplies, to nappies, to pet food to be delivered to Ukrainians as they flee with their lives from the lives they once knew. Hundreds of thousands of Euros (if not more) have been donated to  UNICEF , the   Irish Red Cross ,   Concern   and more. While this flurry of activity continues around us, it is important that we process what is happening, especially with young people who may be experiencing fear, anxiety, helplessness and more as they inevitably either wish to learn more or are exposed to details of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

We hope this short list of 6 resources that we have compiled (and will continue to add to) will assist teachers, educators and parents to have conversations with those they work and live with in a mindful and empathetic manner, all the while unpacking the heavy issue of war and conflict.

1. Resources round-up

The Guardian   have compiled a comprehensive article on  news and teaching resources on the Ukraine crisis . From visual data focusing on the  end of the USSR , to  graphics on the military imbalance  between Russia and Ukraine, to  live coverage  and updates, the Guardian has a wealth of information, visual and textual. The article also offers activities from their  Teacher Network .

2. Understand why Russia and Ukraine are in the news and what might happen next.

Russia: The Next Move from  the Economist Educational Foundation  is a very practical teaching resource from their ‘ Topical Talk ‘ series, where they focus on a different headline each week. While you must create an account to access the resources, it is completely free and you are sent a newsletter once a week with extremely high quality resources.

Within this specific resource, there are videos explaining the current situation in Ukraine and Russia and what could potentially happen next. There is a lesson plan with objectives, skills developed, teacher instructions, storyboards and more.

There is an interactive quiz also, and polls for voting where those involved can share their answers and engage in discussions with others.

This is all written in an engaging and accessible way.

3. History, empathy, balance and action.

Global Dimensions, a UK based website who provide teaching resources which bring global connection, conversation and compassion to the classroom have done an ‘ In Focus’, piece on Ukraine and Russia . 

They explor e why it matters to look at these issues, the  connections to the curriculum (though they are based in the UK, this is done in a way which could be easily translated to Irish curriculum), and how to approach it (giving a sense of history, empathy, balance and the opportunity for action). They also provide onwards links to resources and teaching packs which may assist.

4. The mindful approach

From developmenteducation.ie consortium partner, the  National Youth Council of Ireland , we have  How to Discuss War with Young People . While this has been compiled in the context of Ukraine and Russian, this guide takes a generally useful and mindful approach to the topic. It’s aim is to equip youth workers with the tools they need to acknowledge what is happening with young people and provide a safe space for discussion.

NYCI have also included activities to assist in the unpacking of issues of conflict and peace, further resources that may be of help and actions that can be taken.

5. Ease the weight on young shoulders

It is inevitable that younger children will be exposed to information about Ukraine and may be trying to make sense of it by themselves. 

Children’s rights NGO Barnardos have compiled a simple, effective and accessible document on  talking to children about war . It is important we support our youngest members of society by giving them a safe space to share concerns they may have.

6. For the budding journalists

BBC Newsround  have a detailed timeline from 1991 and the end of the Soviet Union, presented in an extremely accessible manner covering ‘ whats happening in Ukraine? ‘. 

Using an array of videos and pictures, it covers how we have ended up where we are now and is presented in accessible manner for viewing on mobile phones.

This blog was written by Ciara Regan and was originally published on developmenteducation.ie

Local-Global links in Development Education: the case of housing

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 12:08:54 GMT

Written by Éilis Ryan. Éilis is a development education practitioner and activist, with a particular interest in the area of global finance and development education. She has authored policy papers on housing finance and public solutions to the Irish housing crisis, and was a founding member of the Campaign for Public Housing and the National Housing and Homeless Coalition.

In Ireland and across most countries in the Global North, the past decade has seen an alarming rise in racist narratives and actions. Much attention has been given to the election of and support for Donald Trump in the United States, where a large minority of the population has been mobilised around ‘defending’ an insular and white version of the United States, building both real and metaphorical ‘walls,’ to prevent the entry of newcomers.

In Ireland, similar narratives, often driven by far right, online media coming from the United States, have also begun to take hold. An important starting point in understanding how we might counter this development, is to consider why growing numbers of people find such narratives compelling.

The housing crisis has played a major role in causing disillusionment. Over 60,000 people are waiting for social housing in Ireland, and of those almost 17,000 have been waiting for more than 7 years . A further 60,000 people receive Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) to subsidise their insecure private rented accommodation, because of a shortage of public housing . There are 8,200 people homeless, of whom 2,200 are children . In Dublin, the average tenant in private rented accommodation pays 41% of their income on rent, and 20% of tenants spend more than half their salary on rent . Such levels of exclusion and inequality have provided fertile ground for those who want to promote racist beliefs, by encouraging the idea that the housing crisis is caused by too many people (primarily migrants) competing for too little housing.

Development education, with its aim of building global solidarity and internationalism, has an important role to play in challenging this narrative. In order to persuade people that the racist narrative to explain the housing crisis is not accurate, it is essential we reach and convince those who are targetted by online far right propoganda.

For development education practitioners, the issue of housing, and in particular the impact of global finance on housing, provides a unique opportunity to build a sense of global solidarity amongst learners, and to put forward an alternative narrative around the causes of housing inequality in Ireland – one rooted in global justice, not racism.

Following a period of widespread public housing development in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s, housing became central to the neoliberal project of the 1980s and 1990s. Government policy created new generations of home owners and with that growing mortgage markets, which would play an essential role in both the growth and collapse of the financial bubble in 2008. After the financial crisis, policy makers in the Global North attempted to alleviate recession by pouring capital into the global economy; between 2010 and 2018, government banks in the Global North released $11 trillion into the global financial system.

But rather than being invested in the Global North, much of this money found its way to countries in the Global South, seeking profit and, as it did so, has begun to cause many of the housing inequalities already visible in the Global North. Rather than responding to the absence of decent housing through public investment in public or cooperative housing, in many instances housing needs are being met in the Global South by governments subsidising private development of housing, and by low- and middle-income households accessing mortgages to purchase private housing for the first time – often creating totally unaffordable debt burdens for those households.

In Brazil, for example, the government developed the programme Minha Casa Minha Vida (My House My Life), which resulted in the building of 10s of millions of units of housing. However, critics argue that it was a subsidy for construction firms, and while it facilitated home ownership for many low- and middle-income families for the first time, it did so while burdening them with large, unaffordable mortgages.

Across the global south, schemes providing microcredit and microfinance now mean that ‘affordable housing’ is built on personal debt, not through public investment, which provided much of the public housing in 20th century Europe. In other words, one of the greatest challenges to equality in the Global North – access to secure, decent housing – is beginning to emerge as a major challenge across the Global South. This provides obvious challenges but also, for development education practitioners, a unique opportunity to build meaningful local-global links and solidarity through transformative education.

Éilis led a webinar on Housing inequality, finance and the global south: making local-global links real in Development Education in Ireland , for IDEA in September 2021.

The views expressed in this article are that of the author alone and do not necessarily represent the views of IDEA.

Further Resources:

Hearne, R. (2017) ‘A home or a wealth generator? Inequality, financialisation and the Irish housing crisis.’ Dublin: TASC

Fernandez, R. And Aalbers, M. (2020) ‘Housing Financialization in the Global South’

Citizens for Financial Justice (2019) ‘Spotlight on financialisation: Housing’

Call for Tender: External Evaluator

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 10:03:10 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association is calling for tenders for an External Evaluator to work with us on an ongoing basis from 2022 onwards for a period of 1-5 years, to evaluate IDEA's programme of work.

Deadline for application has been extended to Midday, Thursday, 09 December.

Full details and Terms of Reference are available here .

Irish Aid 2022 Global Citizenship Education Grants Call for Proposal

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 12:27:57 GMT

The 2022 Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grant call for proposals is now open.

The call for proposals can be found at this link under the ‘Applying for Funding’ tab. It also includes links to the Guidelines, FAQ documents, as well as information on DEAR co-funding.

Key dates include

26 November, 5.00pm: Completed eligibility forms must be submitted to the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox. Organisations who have not received global citizenship education funding in the past or if the organisation has not completed an eligibility form or been deemed eligible to apply over the last 3 years (2019, 2020 and 2021 call for proposals) must complete an eligibility form. All other organisations wishing to apply can request an application form by emailing the Global Citizenship Education Mailbox.
14 January 2022, 5.00pm: Deadline for submitting the completed application form, signed by the legal representative of the organisation (e.g. the CEO or the Chair of the Board)

We have been informed that Irish Aid will hold a Public Information Session on this Grants Round on Thursday 02 December, 10.00am . Anyone who registers an interest with Irish Aid for either eligibility or application will receive an invitation.

IDEA Support around the Grants Round:

IDEA’s Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Development Education Funding Applications will take place Tuesday, 07 December, 2.00-4.30pm . Find out more...
IDEA’s Results Frameworks for Development Education Workshop will take place Tuesday, 14 December, 2.00- 5.00pm . Find out more.. .

Results Frameworks for Global Citizenship Education Workshop

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:10:10 GMT

Tuesday, 14 December, 2.00pm - 5.00pm, via Zoom

Our second training focusing on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round is our annual workshop on Results Frameworks for Global Citizenship Education, led by Susan Gallwey. This is focused more on supporting those who are familiar with Results Frameworks and have begun work on the Results Framework for their application. This runs on Tuesday, 14 December from 2.00pm - 5.00pm, via Zoom.

Participants are invited to prepare for this session as follows:

b) Those participants from organisations who have NOT previously submitted a Results Framework for Development Education/Global Citizenship Education to IA and/or people who are personally new to Results Frameworks should attend the introductory session on Results Frameworks on Tuesday 07 December (3.30-4.30pm) directly following the Global Citizenship Education Grants Application Clinic .

IDEA provides support for members and spaces for members to support one another in applying for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all and offered online. As in 2020, this year we also invite any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

Grants Clinic for Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Funding Applications

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 10:01:04 GMT

Tuesday 07 December, 2.00 – 4.30pm, via Zoom

Our first training event focusing on the Irish Aid Global Citizenship Education Grants Round is an Annual Grants Clinic, facilitated by IDEA staff and focusing on the application form itself. This will also include an introduction to Results Frameworks by Susan Gallwey, particularly relevant for those who are new to the process.

This runs on Tuesday 07 December from 2.00 – 4.30pm, via Zoom. Please note that ‘Introduction to Results Frameworks’ will run within the session from 3.30 -4.30pm and is only for newcomers to Results Frameworks.

IDEA provides support for members and spaces for members to support one another in applying for Irish Aid Development Education Grants. This training and support is free of charge to all and offered online. As in 2020, this year we also invite any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA to these training events.

Future trends in Development Education

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:15:14 GMT

Friday 26 November, 12.30-2pm

This lunchtime webinar will provide a look forward at future trends and emerging issues in Development Education/Global Citizenship Education. We will identify and explore possibilities and problems influencing how development education is conceived and practised.

The session will be moderated by Dervla King . Dervla is programme manager with Comhlámh, which supports international volunteers and development workers to act in solidarity for a just, equitable and sustainable world.

Speakers include Dr Audrey Bryan Associate Professor of Sociology in the School of Human Development, Dublin City University. Audrey will share her research on a new ‘emotional paradigm’ within education that is influencing Development Education, including the increasing emphasis on neurologically-informed approaches to the pursuit of global justice goals and competencies such as mindfulness, empathy and compassion, on the one hand, and increasing recognition of the need to attend to difficult emotions within Global Citizenship Education, on the other.

She will be joined by Edward Vickers , Professor of Comparative Education at Kyushu University in Japan. Edward will discuss the political context for this focus on social-emotional learning along with 'brain science' and educational technology, drawing on his own recent experience of educational development work. He will show how an excessive focus on learning at the level of individual 'brains' decontextualises and depoliticises educational debate, in ways profoundly convenient to those determined to preserve the political and socio-economic status quo.

They will also be joined by Joyce   Raanhuis, a doctoral student at the Centre for International Teacher Education (CITE), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) in Cape Town. She will draw upon her research and experiences of teacher professional development in the South African context, and will discuss the influences of Development Education and social cohesion and their relevance towards building a just society.

The webinar is aimed at anyone with an interest in Development Education, both newcomers and established practitioners, IDEA members and representatives from other sectors, and other parts of the World.

It will run over lunchtime so feel free to enjoy your lunch during it.

If you have questions, or would like to know more, please contact us .

Biographies

Job Opportunity: Policy & Advocacy Manager

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:36:50 GMT

We are recruiting a Policy & Advocacy Manager to coordinate IDEA’s policy and advocacy for Development Education in Ireland and internationally.

This is a varied role requiring strategic management, advocacy expertise, interpersonal skills, good organisation and multi-tasking skills.

Full Job Description available here .

Application for this role is closed .

IDEA Final Evaluation – members focus group

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 14:33:21 GMT

IDEA Final Evaluation – members focus group

Tuesday 2 November 2-4pm via Zoom

As part of the final evaluation of the current IDEA programme funded by Irish Aid (2018-2021), our external evaluator DP Evaluation (UK) will conduct a focus group for members on Tuesday 2 November from 2-4pm via Zoom. This focus group will feed into the final evaluation of IDEA’s current Strategic Partnership funded by Irish Aid for capacity building of Development Education Practitioners in Ireland.

This will be facilitated by DP Evaluation, and is open to all IDEA members. Please note we ran a similar event on 24 June during our Virtual Conference. If you already attended that focus group, there is no need to attend this one.

If you have any questions, please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

Call for Tender: Graphic Designer

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 16:25:22 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association is calling for tenders for a Graphic Designer to work with us on our design needs over the next 12 months.

Deadline for application is 10.00am, Tuesday, 02 November.

Full details and Terms of Reference are available here .

Call for Tender: Member Profile Development

Thu, 14 Oct 2021 12:29:11 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association is calling for tenders for a consultant to work with us on developing profiles for our members for the IDEA Website.

Deadline for application is 10.00am, Monday, 01 November.

Full details and Terms of Reference are available here .

Call to Register for Monitoring & Evaluation Consultant Database

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 11:59:15 GMT

IDEA is inviting consultants and other interested parties to register their interest for inclusion on a consultants database for work relating to the Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Education / Global Citizenship Education.

IDEA, as the national network for Development Education in Ireland, is contacted regularly by members and others regarding contacts of people and organisations carrying out Monitoring and Evaluation for Development Education / Global Citizenship Education programmes.

IDEA, as an organisation, will also be looking to recruit a new external evaluator to work with us on an ongoing basis from 2022 onwards for a period of 1-5 years.

If you are interested in being added to this database, please register your interest by contacting Elaine by Thursday 30 September.

This is open to consultants in any part of the World.

Housing inequality, finance and the global south: making local-global links real in Development Education in Ireland

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:53:25 GMT

Date / Time: Thursday, September 30th, 12pm - 3.30pm GMT (including 30 minutes break for lunch)

This three hour workshop, facilitated by Éilis Ryan , will provide Development Education practitioners with the knowledge and tools to build global solidarity by exploring the shared struggle for the right to housing in the Global North and the Global South.

Housing, once considered a public good in many European countries, has become one of the most important assets in global financial markets. In the Global North, this shift has had enormous impacts on the right to housing. Meanwhile, finance has left countries in the Global South with minimal hope of ever developing such systems.

Housing has become a focal point for those attempting to drive a racist explanation for housing inequality in Ireland. By focussing on the shared causes of housing inequality in Ireland and the Global South, this workshop will enable DE practitioners to provide a compelling counter-narrative which promotes solidarity amongst those who face housing exclusion, in Ireland and in the Global South.

Speakers include:

Professor Michelle Norris , Director, Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin
Professor Raquel Rolnik , Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, University of São Paulo
Rodrigo Fernandez , Senior Researcher at the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO)

See below for biographies.

Cost to attend:

IDEA members: €15.00
Non-members: €30.00
We also have a pay what you can option – please contact us for any questions.

Deadline for registration is Monday, 27 September.

For any questions about this event, please contact us .

Biographies

IDEA Conference 2021: Acting for Change

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:36:29 GMT

A workshop called ‘Acting for Change’ was facilitated by Michael McCabe of Smashing Times at the IDEA conference on Thursday 24 June 2021. The aims of this workshop were as follows:

To ground ourselves individually on an experiential level connecting to our breath and the Earth beneath; To share the necessity for learning agreement as a safe boundary and structure to invite our creative work to emerge; To introduce the possibility of safe physical expression and primacy of the body is a significant factor in all forms of human communication; To explore themes of cultural and ethnical oppression, in a non linear imagistic manner where thought process opens to artistic expression; To share potential of creating an ensemble. This is non-hierarchical, flexible, an example of how we can build a model society that is inclusive.

Fundamentally, the ensemble began to take agency here. The individual thinks differently, feels differently. The group experiences the beginning of creative potential through the development of a culture, and how this can lead to meaningful change.

In reflecting on these aims, all were achieved in a physical, collective deep subconscious meaningful manner. Having first ensured through physical principles that all are aligned and comfortable in our chairs, with parallel knee over toes, toes pointing straight ahead, the spine tall with relaxed shoulders, with hands placed palm down on thighs may seem unnecessarily detailed. Yet in proposing such a physical posture, even sitting down, we are introducing the F.M. Alexander technique of aligning the human skeleton.

Here, there is space to ensure that all are experiencing physical comfort. Subsequently, the invitation is proposed to connect to ‘belly breath’ whereby the inhalation thought we gently invite is ‘soothe’, and the exhalation thought we invite is ’ease’.

These may seem ‘basic’ principles, yet how we start sets a foundation for what ultimately such creative work proposes. The function of all creative work is to create an experiential change in our breathing. And the medium and manner in how we conduct such work is fundamentally how to develop a model, inclusive society based on respect and culture: How we treat each other, see each other, the language we employ to tell our stories, create our experiences.

With physical engagement as the central means of expression and communication, working on creating imagery as a fulcrum to explore such work is a very different engagement, individually and collectively. Prior to working in our groups, a simple way to warm up in one’s home was followed by ‘roles are changed’, and ultimately, we swop and change roles as frequently as possible without an obvious signal of ‘taking over’.

This is an excellent exercise to develop deep trust with a partner, which permeates the group. We included a brief extension of this where one person was mirrored by the entire group, and in that process, we began to develop a chorus and hero/heroine figures. Archetypes present at a sub conscious level, yet more vitally, the group play and combine. This is a collective sense of group motor neurons firing.

Two groups were then proposed to compose a brief TV-like commercial, choosing an ethical theme of their choice, whereby this product shows how to get from the real problem to an ideal solution. The note here is that the only verbal language one can employ is gibberish. This keeps such work in the right side of the hemisphere - in the soma; non-logical, and playful.

The trainer invited a second replaying of these commercials, and intervened with a freeze proposal. At the freeze, all pause, and present a statue. The trainer subsequently asked the group different directions each time, for instance, tell your commercial in fast forward; slow motion; rewind fast rhythm; cartoon genre; Sky Sports slow motion genre and so on. Here, we are proposing to play with our very literal sense of time, meaning, movement, leading to new shape and emotion, a new engagement with space.

To conclude, our whole group came together to compose an image with three tableaux, on an issue specifically of their choice. Here, the trainer proposed for one person to ‘direct’ each frozen image, and indeed to stand out of the image, and give notes to any group member. The trainer intervened, asking the group to consider how to get from one frozen image to the next. An ensemble movement piece began to emerge, supported by gibberish, that conversely, gave meaning, joy, and a culture was introduced.

There was a collective experience seen by the trainer, on screen. The ensemble smiled. The sense of changing our breath pattern was palpable.

This blog was written by Michael McCabe, on behalf of Smashing Times

Active Hope Training

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:07:25 GMT

Active Hope Training

4 online sessions: T uesday 14, Wednesday 15, Tuesday 21 & Wednesday 22 September

9.30am – 12 midday each day

Through this 4-part workshop participants will engage with the process of “Active hope”, developed by environmental activist Joanna Macy. This process supports people who are engaged with global justice issues to continue to have hope and take action, while addressing the sometimes overwhelming feelings that arise. The workshop will be experiential, with opportunities to connect with yourself, and others in a supportive online environment. Participants will also gain tools and approaches that can be used both at a personal level, and with groups. Attendance at all 4 sessions is important as each will cover a different topic related to Active Hope.

The seminar will be facilitated by Chriszine Backhouse and Eimear McNally of Creativity & Change , a programme of Crawford College of Art & Design, that nurtures change-makers and supports people to imagine and create a better world. Through her teaching and practice, Chriszine explores the intersection between creativity, community and the environment. She has been involved in Active Hope restoration work since 2008. For the last four years, she has integrated this approach into the Creativity and Change programme at MTU, leading students and workshop participants through “the work that reconnects”. Eimear works as a facilitator in the field of creative activism and transformative learning where she uses visual facilitation to help groups explore complex global and local justice issues. She has been involved in Creativity & Change in various ways since 2009. She is a co-founder of the all-Ireland network of visual practitioners, Drawesome, and a member of the International Forum for Visual Practitioners.

Cost to attend all 4 sessions:

IDEA members: €50.00
Non-members: €100.00

Deadline for registration is Wednesday, 08 September.

If you have any questions please contact us .

IDEA Conference 2021: Cultural Embodiment

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 15:43:56 GMT

A workshop on Cultural Embodiment: from stereotypes towards empathy took place at the IDEA Virtual Conference 2021. It was a unique experience to facilitate this topic in a predominantly ‘Irish’ setting, and as a trainer, I feel very privileged to have this opportunity to share this topic with everyone present.

During the workshop we explored the general concept of embodiment and moved towards defining the concept of Cultural Embodiment (CE). In other words, through the sharing of personal stories and group discussion, we tried to understand the true nature of this concept and how we become aware of it. In a broad sense, Cultural Embodiment is described as an experience of the culture through our bodies. In different words Cultural Embodiment is all about understanding which part of our personal embodiment has been shaped by our cultures; understanding how cultures we belong to shape the way we see ourselves and the world around us.

In the second part of the workshop, we tried to bring this concept to life, by creating an atmosphere where participants explored their own cultural embodiment. With the support of embodied learning principles, participants became aware of their cultural patterns and were supported in understanding how these link to their daily life. This personal exploration allowed for some deep sharing, many ‘a-ha’ moments and really understanding how this concept ‘lives’ in our body. For some, this only scratched the surface of understanding this part of their identities, but it has also sparked curiosity to explore newfound ideas further. For others, this exploration has resulted in finding a sense of meaning, a feeling of being grounded and broadening perspectives of how we observe ourselves. In the words of the participants: ‘Awareness of Cultural Embodiment is important to understand how our bodies are tools of expression and we can try and liberate ourselves from learned patterns’; ‘Awareness and recognition of CE builds empathy and curiosity’; ‘CE helped me to be more aware of my "irish-isms", and how to recognise and adjust when they counteract those of a different culture I am interacting with’. Other participants reflected on the connections between Development Education and Cultural Embodiment 'CE can be used to reflect and ensure your own facilitation style is inclusive and gives space for everyone to participate!', ' Culture impacts all we do - we don't give it much attention in GCE/DE'.

Based on participants' feedback, this experience enabled them to understand how our educational experiences are much deeper once we include the body in the learning context. On the other hand, this short workshop also allowed participants to bridge their learning with their work environments, therefore questioning how they perform certain roles and practices.

Teaching embodiment and using embodiment tools require a great sense of confidence and understanding. It also ‘demands’ great respect and responsibility, as working with the body can touch sensitive parts of our identity. This should not discourage anyone from trying to include the body in the learning process, but inspire you to do it with great sensitivity. First step in using embodiment is always self–awareness; once we are aware of ourselves, understanding others becomes easier, this includes them and their needs. Therefore, it is enough to become and stay in the realm of self-awareness. Cultural Embodiment can prompt you to reflect on your own day-to-day activities, both in your personal and professional life, and can inspire you to try new things with a greater awareness. More awareness means having more choice in how we respond to people and actions, therefore supporting our adaptability. To take this further, we can also try to use the framework of Cultural Embodiment to understand other complex concepts, such as diversity, inclusion, equity, leadership, etc. These ideas can greatly support adaptation of our practices and activities, so everyone involved can benefit from them in a more holistic way.

From the perspective of trainer, if this workshop has empowered the participants to look at themselves in a new way and has inspired them to be more curious about other people, this is a giant leap towards forging a new path in the way we work with others.

This blog was written by Sandra Gojić

IDEA Conference 2021: Women in Peace & Security

Thu, 01 Jul 2021 11:42:24 GMT

On Wednesday 23 June we conducted a workshop ‘Women’s role in Peace and Security’ as part of the 2021 IDEA Virtual Conference . It allowed us in Mind the Gap to discuss how we would like to bring awareness to DE/GCE practitioners the current pivotal role Ireland is playing in the EU/UN in designing policy and the approach to policy design in the area of Women in Peace and Security.

Nura Hagi , the lead facilitator, is on the Irish Government’s Oversight Group that is advising the formation of Ireland's 3rd National Plan on Peace & Security and the level of community engagement in it's creation is gaining praise and interest internationally.

During this workshop we showcased the magnitude of the challenges and danger women still face when putting themselves forward to represent their community in the political arena, especially in regions experiencing conflict and/or oppressive regimes. These include ridicule by established (male) leaders/politicians, a lack of access to organisational structures, supports and finances, as well as a very real threat of verbal and physical abuse. In the case of Somalia, actual endangerment of life is a real threat as detailed by Nura’s own experience and need to flee her home and seek asylum through the assistance of Frontline Defenders. Many of these issues are very succinctly demonstrated in the documentary on the peace process in Northern Ireland; ‘ Wave goodbye to dinosaurs ’.

During the workshop, we explored the comparisons that can be made between the struggle in Somalia and Northern Ireland and the lessons that are being shared by women involved in both to others around the world. Comparisons such as the true grassroot peace building efforts being fulfilled by women in mediation, conflict resolution and education but that go wholly unrecognised by the establishment and even by the women themselves. These issues are discussed in the video ‘ Women’s voices; building networks ’, in which Nura features.

We also introduced the suggested action of getting involved with, and raising awareness of, the City/Place/School of Sanctuary campaign in Ireland. Building on the idea that peace and inclusion is not a passive ideal but a constant active engagement ensuring that the extra steps are taken to include the most vulnerable and marginalised in accessing services and being given agency. We heard examples from the participants of University College Cork (UCC) working towards becoming a 'University of Sanctuary' and of realising eight full scholarships for refugee students; of Cork University Hospital (CUH) working towards being a 'Hospital of Sanctuary', for instance in efforts to provide translation services. Also there is the community running group 'Sanctuary Runners', a running club in Cork that brings locals and new communities together to raise the visibility of the refugee community by taking part in community fun runs and the city marathon.

Campaigns were only beginning here in Ireland before the outbreak of Covid-19 and associated lockdown in March 2020, and now need to be re-imagined and re-energised. In the UK there are more established examples and a wealth of educational resources and guides to how to organise for all types of; organisations, institutions, education settings and community groups (see City of Sanctuary )

Written by Arran Towers, Mind the Gap 

Call for Tender: Design of Partnerships Report

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 16:46:31 GMT

IDEA is looking for a designer to work on the graphic design of the Bridge 47 Partnerships Report, for online and print purposes. This includes the design of the Partnerships Report and the creation of a PDF version for use online, and a print ready version.

Deadline for application is 12:00, noon. Friday, 25 June.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

IDEA Evaluation Focus Group

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 14:53:47 GMT

IDEA Evaluation Focus Group

Thursday, 24 June, 9.00am - 11.00pm

As part of the reflective and exploratory side of the IDEA Virtual Conference 2021, we are running a focus group to review IDEA’s current programme funded by Irish Aid for capacity building of Development Education Practitioners in Ireland. This programme comes to an end in 2021 and this focus group will form part of the final external evaluation of the programme. We will also be exploring possible directions for IDEA's future work.

This will be facilitated by DP Evaluation, and is open to all IDEA members - you do not need to be participating in the conference to attend.

IDEA Network receives GENE Quality in Global Education Award

Thu, 20 May 2021 08:43:58 GMT

The IDEA network received a Global Education Network Europe (GENE) Quality in Global Education Award for the Code of Good Practice for Development Education at a ceremony on 19 May. This was hosted by Chair of GENE, Annette Scheunpflug, with 73 attendees including the Greek Minister for Education, Niki Kerameus, and Áine Doody, Head of Development Education /Global Citizenship, Irish Aid.

47 initiatives were nominated for the award, which was given to 7 Global Education initiatives across Europe . These programmes ranged from a Masters in Global Citizenship Education, to a 'study trip' approach to learn about campaigning on sexual and reproductive health in the Global South, to gathering diverse students and teachers, including Greek and Turkish Cypriots, in the buffer zone in Cyprus to bring about reconciliation.

The Code of Good Practice for Development Education is a trailblazer internationally, providing educators and organisations working in Development Education with a quality framework to strengthen good practice. Key to the award criteria was the active involvement of 'participants', collaboration, learning and networking, all elements that were core to the development and roll-out of the Code.

The IDEA membership began developing this Code 5 years ago, and this award is a wonderful acknowledgement and recognition of their work. The successful roll-out of the Code to date, which has not been disrupted by the challenges posed by Covid-19. highlights the strong commitment to and ownership of the Code by members.

IDEA would like to congratulate all our members whose input and commitment were crucial to the development process and who are now bringing the Code to life. We would particularly like to congratulate and thank Elaine Mahon and Morina O’Neill, for their work on the coordination and development of the Code.

We would like to thank our donors, Irish Aid, Trócaire and Concern, who have supported this initiative. Our strategic partnership with Irish Aid provided us with the time and space to develop the Code. We are grateful to Irish Aid for nominating us for this award.

This is the second Irish initiative to win a GENE Quality in Global Education Award, following WorldWise Global Schools’ win for its Global Passports Award in 2018. WorldWise Global Schools is a member of IDEA.

You can find out more about the Code of Good Practice for Development Education here

IDEA AGM 2021

Mon, 17 May 2021 10:11:00 GMT

IDEA's Annual General Meeting 2021

Wednesday, 09 June, 9.30am - 12.00pm

This will include IDEA's statutory AGM business and a needs analysis session, designed to ensure our IDEA Strategy and our Strategic Partnership with Irish Aid reflect the needs of our members.

The link to the event will be shared with registered participants closer to the time.

You must be a member of IDEA to attend.

Please register below before 02 June!

Where the Magic Happens: Partnerships Beyond the Comfort Zone

Mon, 10 May 2021 11:33:30 GMT

To celebrate and showcase the Bridge 47 partnerships work led by IDEA over the last few years, we are hosting a session on Where the Magic Happens: Partnerships Beyond the Comfort Zone , 12.00-2.00pm, 26 May, as part of the Bridge 47 Global Event .

Panellists include our partners Deloitte Ireland, the National Health Service (NHS) Scotland and Latvian Museum Association. This is an opportunity to hear their perspectives on reasons for engaging in Global Citizenship Education (GCE) focussed partnerships, their collaborative activities, and the challenges, learning and impact made on their partnerships journey. Dig deeper into any tensions or questions this raises through reflection, and an open discussion and dialogue on the future possibilities of cross-sector partnerships with GCE practitioners and supporters from around the globe.

You can register for this session here .

Call for Tender: Recruitment of Panel to support the Code of Good Practice

Thu, 06 May 2021 08:27:31 GMT

IDEA is now recruiting a panel of individuals to support IDEA in the review and support of the self-assessment process of members of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland . This panel will be in place for at least 12 months and up to 2 years. We will see the first 6 months as a pilot of the panel and will review the functioning of the panel once all tasks relating to the upcoming deadline in July 2021 are completed.

Deadline for application 5:00pm, Thursday 20 May.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

Call for Tender: Training workshops on topics relating to Inequality

Wed, 05 May 2021 15:28:25 GMT

IDEA is seeking trainers to deliver workshops for conference participants as part of the

IDEA Virtual Conference in June 2021 . The successful candidates will design and deliver individual training workshops on topics relating to the conference topic of inequality and global citizenship. This role is open to individual freelance trainers, or trainers within organisations, including IDEA members.

Deadline for application is 5:00pm, Wednesday 19 May.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

IDEA Virtual Conference 2021

Wed, 05 May 2021 15:04:20 GMT

Global Citizenship and Inequality in 2021: Forging a new Path?

Tuesday - Thursday, 22 - 24 June

The Covid 19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on inequality worldwide. Affecting all areas of our lives, it has been a shared experience on a global scale. It has focused our attention on the differing responses to and impact of Covid 19, highlighting inequality both locally and globally. Being unable to control factors affecting our well-being, safety, or livelihoods, has given us all insight into the day-to-day reality of inequality. It has also given us a unique experience of global interconnectedness, showing how even small actions can impact millions around the world, for better or worse.

Last year was characterised by empathy and solidarity, but with vaccine roll-outs promising an end in sight for some, have we reached a crossroads? Will that sense of solidarity lead us to ‘build back fairer’, or is fatigue setting in and will the comfort of the familiar prove too strong?

Covid has given us a lived experience of how essential global solidarity is, but how can we keep that sense of global citizenship alive?

How can Global Citizenship Education help people process this experience so that the lessons learnt inspire systemic change?

Join us, 22-24 June, for the IDEA Virtual Conference 2021, to explore these questions and what we can do to forge a new path towards a rights-based recovery that supports equality for all.

Register and find out more here!

Online Evaluation of Development Education: Not a new Universe

Tue, 04 May 2021 14:58:50 GMT

Compared with face-to-face work, the organisation and delivery of Development Education online is challenging, time consuming and requires new ways of supporting participants’ learning. Does that mean that online evaluation also requires a new way of thinking and new approaches?

As discussed at two IDEA training-workshops on online evaluation (14th and 20th April 2021), the short answer is ‘no’ and ‘yes’. ‘No’ because various online approaches give opportunities to use the same or similar approaches as offline. Also, ‘yes’, as with almost all online work, online evaluation requires a significant investment in planning. Knowing what you want to find out about and why, and then finding the appropriate online tools takes, certainly initially, more time than it would for offline work.

The first of the two training-workshops, with 25 participants, started from the point that participatory learning forms a key component of Development Education. For workshop participants this revolved around collective and individual learning that stimulates learners’ interaction and collaboration, their engagement and motivation, learning by doing, relevance of the learning to the learner, and shared reflective action. Evaluation of those aspects of a Development Education programme or project requires an insight into, for example:

The level of enjoyment of learners in taking part and their engagement with the learning
The extent to which learners have gained new knowledge, understanding and skills
The effect of the process and the content on learners’ performance
The impact on learners’ behaviour and actions
The consequences of it all on moving the organisation’s aims forward
The process of the project or programme.

Each project or programme will of course have its own specific evaluation questions to be addressed. In finding answers to those questions using a range of online tools can be helpful. Tools such as:

Online quizzes and other game-type activities – to assess skills and knowledge
Drop-and-drag activities – to make connections between two or more different phenomena, such as different development issues, causes, or effects
Dialogue simulations – to present different perspectives and arguments
Forum posts and blogs – giving learners an opportunity to interact, whilst giving the evaluator an opportunity to check levels of comprehension of an issue
Open-ended essay style questions – to evaluate higher level learning and its application
Online peer reviews – to give each participant an opportunity to reflect on their own learning and then communicate that to other participants for feedback and further discussion
Observations – either live or from a recording of online events, for example to gain an insight into the level of interaction/participation of participants, of their understanding of an issue, or of their creativity in addressing an issue
Online polls or surveys – to obtain feedback on the process, the level of interest in the learning or the relevance to learners of what has been learned.

The second of the two training-workshops added to these techniques by discussing eleven different online evaluation scenarios suggested by participants for further exploration. The discussions gave practical examples of how techniques such as those above can be integrated into real-life DE projects and gave additional suggestions for online evaluation, including:

Evaluating the effectiveness of webinars – by referring to registrations, participants and retentions, the interest shown in relevant resources after the events (downloads), the use (and quality) of the chat box and the use of opportunities to ask questions during the webinar,
Assessing creativity – in work groups/breakout rooms use Padlet, Googledocs or Jamboard to capture ideas that have been developed,
Assessing learner enjoyment and engagement – during a multi-event online project using online journals (completed by learners, if need be anonymised) to provide summary recordings of their feelings and learning highlights and lowlights,
Evaluating the development of self-confidence/self-esteem of individual learners – doing this online (through one-to-one interviews) will require a level of familiarity of the learners with the evaluator, i.e. s/he needs to be known by the learners as part of online events. Obtaining one-to-one engagement after the online event is problematic but may be possible, for example, in a break-out room during an ongoing project event/lesson
Assessing the quality of the learning process – using a ‘360 degrees peer review (online)’.

To keep track of all online techniques and their results, the use of an online whiteboard (such as Miro or Jamboard) can be very helpful: showing the evaluation questions asked with links to the different online tools used and the information that using these tools has given you.

All this does not suggest, however, that there are no problems with online evaluation. In common with any form of online communication and online teaching and learning, issues of ‘Zoom fatigue’ or of a lack of participation and engagement with the screen are not necessarily resolved. Notwithstanding this, tools such as those highlighted do encourage and enable active engagement – particularly if they form part of a process of participatory learning.

Online evaluation does not require evaluators to step into a different universe: many of the existing offline evaluation approaches can be and have been adapted for online use. What is different though is that making full use of online evaluation, requires integrating evaluation techniques into the implementation of the project or programme – not something to be done ‘after the event’. More than with offline evaluations, obtaining online inputs from participants towards or after the end of their involvement in a project or programme is highly problematic and may not give the diversity of information required for a quality evaluation. For organisations that have tended to do their evaluative exercises towards the end this will require a new way of planning: clarifying from the start what needs to be evaluated and integrating evaluative activities as part of the online delivery process.

This blog is written by Harm-Jan Fricke , a Development Education/Global Citizenship Education project manager, evaluator and workshop facilitator

Call for Tender: Design of Vision 2025 Document

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 14:03:53 GMT

IDEA is looking for a designer to work on the graphic design of the Vision 2025 document, for online and print purposes. This includes the design of the Vision 2025 document and the creation of a PDF version for use online, and a print ready version.

Deadline for application is 12:00 noon, Monday, 10 May.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

The Emergence of Development Education in Ireland

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:39:49 GMT

The Emergence of Development Education in Ireland

Note: Change of date to Friday 21 May, 12.30 – 2.00pm

This lunchtime webinar will provide a look back over the emergence of Development Education in Ireland. We will explore the timeline of the development of a Development Education sector, as well as key milestones in its growth. We will also consider the strengths of the sector, challenges faced and opportunities for the future.

It is aimed at anyone with an interest in Development Education, both newcomers and established practitioners, IDEA members and representatives from other sectors, and other parts of the World.

The session will be led by Dr. Eilish Dillon, Head of Department, Department of International Development, Maynooth University, with Adrienne Boyle speaking about the foundation of IDEA.

The session will run over lunchtime so feel free to enjoy your lunch during it.

If you have questions, or would like to know more, please contact us .

Call for Tender: IDEA Needs Analysis

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 09:00:36 GMT

IDEA is seeking an experienced person/team to design and facilitate a needs analysis of the IDEA membership which will inform the mid-term review of the IDEA Strategy and IDEA’s Strategic Partnership application to Irish Aid for 2022-2025. This need analysis will take place online.

Deadline for application is 5:00pm, Monday, 10 May.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

Reporting to the Charities Regulator

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 09:41:59 GMT

Reporting to the Charities Regulator – IDEA’s Experience

Tuesday 11 May, 12 .00 – 1.00pm

This event is a short webinar aimed at IDEA members who are reporting on compliance with the Charities’ Regulator Governance Code in 2021.

Two members of the IDEA Board (National Council) – Vikki Brennan and Ben Mallon – will share their experience of the process, completing the declaration of compliance and ensuring supporting materials are in place and available to be checked.

Time will be allocated for participants to share questions and advice on their own journey to Governance Code compliance .

This event is open to IDEA Members only and is free of charge.

Call for Tender: Delivery of the IDEA Virtual Conference 2021

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:44:43 GMT

IDEA is seeking an experienced online event facilitator to assist us in the delivery of the IDEA Virtual Conference in June 2021. The successful candidate will manage facilitation of the event to ensure a successful conference and seamless participant experience. The role of the consultant will focus on managing the overall facilitation of the sessions and the flow of the programme across the 3 days.

Deadline for application is 5.00pm, Friday, 23 April.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

Evaluating your Development Education online

Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:41:43 GMT

Join us for Evaluating your Development Education online: a two-session training

Dates: Wednesday 14 April, 10.00 -12.00 & Tuesday 20 April, 10.00 -12.00

Evaluation of participatory learning through online means is in its infancy but, as result of the pandemic, is likely to remain important. This online event will give you an opportunity to consider existing ideas and to develop new ideas for online evaluation of Development Education.

The training will be led by Harm-Jan Fricke , a Development Education/Global Citizenship Education project manager, evaluator and workshop facilitator. He has been involved in a range of DE projects and programmes, particularly through support for the EU DEAR Programme and its grant-funded projects.

The training involves two workshops and one task in-between sessions.

The first workshop (14 April) focuses on evaluation approaches that are useful in assessing the skills, the knowledge/understanding, or the behaviour and attitudes that Development Education projects want to affect. How can this be done online? This first workshop involves a mix of presentations and participant input of their experiences and ideas.

Before the second workshop, participants will be asked to do some homework: identifying a particular skill, or knowledge/understanding, or behaviour or attitude they would want to evaluate through online assessment.

The second workshop (20 April) will then involve presentation of further ideas for online evaluation. This will focus on participants considering in collaboration how the issues identified as part of the homework can be evaluated through online means.

Participants should be available to attend both sessions in full. A short pre-session survey will be sent to registered participants in advance of the training.

If you have any questions, please contact us .

Cost for IDEA members: €20.00

Cost for non-members: €40.00

You can register below:

Purposeful Partnerships: Engaging New Sectors in Development Education

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 16:54:01 GMT

Purposeful Partnerships: Engaging New Sectors in Development Education

Start Date: 27/04/2021 End Date: 29/04/2021

Event location: Online

The Bridge 47 team in IDEA is running a series of three-day online trainings on ‘Purposeful Partnerships: Engaging New Sectors in Development Education.’ The aim is to share the learning from Bridge 47’s partnerships work with other sectors (e.g. the private sector, media and trade unions) with Development Education practitioners across five different European countries. The first two trainings were delivered for Estonian and Bulgarian participants in January and the next stop is Ireland!

Who is it for:

IDEA members and other Development Education practitioners who are interested in building partnerships with other sectors to advance Development Education

Time & dates:

The training consists of three sessions from 9:30am to 11:15am on 27, 28 and 29 April 2021.

Modules:

Day 1. Why Partnerships?

· Discuss how partnerships with other sectors can support the mission of Development Education

· Explore different types of partnerships from the philanthropic to the transformative

· Reflect on examples of Bridge 47 cross-sector Development Education partnerships in other countries

· Share thoughts on the potential opportunities and challenges of partnerships with other sectors in Ireland

Day 2. Communicating Our Purpose

· Reflect and gain clarity on our purpose

· Explore the power of storytelling for communicating our purpose

· Consider the importance of tone of voice

· Create a story to communicate our purpose to prospective partners

Day 3. The Partnership Journey

· Reflect and gain guidance on the stages of the partnerships journey

· Share your experiences of partnerships

· Role-play an initial meeting with a prospective partner

· Discuss our needs as regards engaging in Development Education partnerships with other sectors and ways forward for our sector

Facilitators:

Orla Devine (Bridge 47 Partnerships Coordinator) and Ji Hyun Kim (Bridge 47 National Officer in Ireland)

Participation fee:

Free of charge for IDEA members and €30 for non-members

Registration:

Please register here by Friday 23 April.

If you wish to enquire about attending this event, please contact Ji Hyun Kim, Bridge 47 National Officer in Ireland at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org

Irish Aid’s Global Citizenship and Development Education Strategy 2021-2024

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:22:19 GMT

Irish Aid’s Global Citizenship and Development Education Strategy 2021-2024

Irish Aid has invited written submissions as part of a process to develop a new Irish Aid Global Citizenship and Development Education Strategy 2021-2024. The closing date for the written consultation is March 19 ^th and details can be found here .

As part of the consultation process, Irish Aid will be holding the following events:

Town Hall 1: Wed. 31 March, 9.30am – 1.00pm
Consultation with Youth: Wed. 07 April, 3.00pm - 6.00pm
Town Hall 2: Wed. 21 April, 9.30am -1.00pm

To support members response to this, IDEA is hosting a virtual meeting, Tuesday, 09 February, 11.30 am, to consider the Irish Aid Terms of Reference for their strategy development process and how IDEA members should respond through the IDEA Task Groups. If you plan to attend please contact us .

IDEA Task Groups and the Quality & Impact group are developing written submissions. If you any have any questions about this process, or wish to participate in the work of the Task Groups, please contact us .

IDEA's Partnership with Deloitte Ireland Continues to Grow

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 15:10:37 GMT

IDEA's Partnership with Deloitte Ireland Continues to Grow

IDEA’s engagement in the private sector partnership has resulted in new collaborations with Deloitte Ireland. Together they delivered a Global Citizenship Education (GCE) workshop on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for their staff as part of Deloitte’s community-focused ‘Impact Week’ in October 2020. Based on the positive feedback, IDEA and Deloitte teamed up again for two further workshops for over 100 new staff in December 2020 with Development Perspectives for Deloitte's induction programme. Through these workshops, Deloitte staff members experienced GCE methodologies that enabled them to reflect and think critically about SDG-related issues and explore opportunities for action in business and personal contexts.

Here is a message from Claire Sinnott, Deloitte’s Corporate Responsibility Senior who has worked closely with IDEA.

“Following a successful session as part of Impact Week, we invited the IDEA/Bridge 47 team back to facilitate two more sessions with our group of incoming Audit graduates. Impact Week is an annual event that gives us the opportunity to educate and inspire our people to find and activate their purpose through transformative days of speeches, panel discussions, networking and workshops. It is really important to us that employees get a sense of Deloitte’s commitment to corporate responsibility and the firm’s purpose to make an impact in the community early in their career with us and understand how they can make a difference through their role. We felt that Ji and the team could help deliver this message with us through GCE focusing on the SDGs.

In Deloitte, we have used the SDGs to benchmark our Corporate Responsibility activity to ensure that our agenda and programmes are aligned to achieving the 2030 Goals. The SDGs also align to Deloitte’s global WorldClass initiative which aims to prepare 50 million futures for a world of opportunity by 2030. Here in Ireland, we are committed to preparing 180,000 futures for a world of opportunity to play our part in this global commitment. Through our volunteering programmes, we commit to investing time in education, skills building and access to opportunity. We do this through our work with charities which allow our people to positively contribute to their local communities.

The SDG workshops provide great context to the work we’re doing and they are also a fun and engaging way to challenge our staff to think more deeply about issues such as inequality and poverty. The IDEA/Bridge 47 team are passionate and really care about providing a bespoke session, weaving in relevant examples of our own projects for our people to get the full benefit of the session. I attended all three sessions myself and each one was different and applicable to the audience attending. I’d also like to highlight that these sessions all took place in a virtual setting, adding extra considerations and challenges in terms of providing an engaging session. The feedback from our people has been excellent. A total of 140 participants over the three sessions gave a rating 4.9 out of 5 stars. Going forward, we hope to work with the team again as we roll out more sessions across the firm, inviting them to take part in our Environmental Impact Week.

As a Corporate Responsibility professional, the sessions always leave me with a renewed sense of purpose and reminder of why this agenda is so important for businesses to get right. I am hugely passionate about the potential business holds to make a positive impact in our society and empowering our people to get involved in that ambition. The sessions have also provided me with some great resources and learning materials to support my own role in educating our people. Thanks to all the fantastic IDEA/Bridge 47 team!”

Another Deloitte staff, Hannah O'Keeffe who attended the first SDG workshop, also wrote a blog sharing her experience and learning. Check out her blog here .

This was first published by the Bridge47 Project

ACE Working Group Meeting

Sat, 30 Jan 2021 11:06:19 GMT

An Adult and Community Education Working Group meeting will take place on Tuesday, 19 January, 2.30-4.30. Zoom details will be shared with members of the group closer to the time. If you are interested in joining the Adult and Community Education Working Group please contact us

Code of Good Practice Network Meeting

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 11:03:17 GMT

A Code of Good Practice network meeting, for Code members only, will take place on Wednesday, 27 January, 9.30-12.30. Zoom details will be shared with Code members closer to the time.

CALL FOR TENDER: RESEARCH ON CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION IN IRELAND

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 10:24:52 GMT

IDEA is seeking a researcher to analyse the data gathered following the first 12 months of roll-out of the IDEA Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland. The research will examine what the Code data represents about Development Education practice in Ireland including strengths, gaps, innovation, and how this data can help articulate the impact of DE in Ireland.

Deadline for application is midday on Wednesday 16 December.

Full terms of reference are available here.

How I was inspired by IDEA’s SDG workshop for Deloitte Ireland

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 15:31:00 GMT

As part of our work through the Bridge 47 project, IDEA delivered an online interactive GCE workshop on the SDGs to Deloitte Ireland’s staff with Global Action Plan on 19 October as part of Deloitte’s Impact Week. Here is a blog written by a Deloitte staff member who attended the workshop, sharing her experience and learning.

Immediately after attending the SDG workshop as part of our Community Impact week, I felt a great sense of purpose. I had some knowledge on the SDGs before attending the workshop but I had never put much thought into what I could do both within my workplace and in my personal life to make an impact in working towards the goals. I found the workshop very engaging as not only were we provided with information on the goals but we also got the opportunity to have group discussions and share our own thoughts or opinions on certain aspects related to the goals. I thought the application “Slido” was great to allow these discussions to occur! There was also a very open atmosphere created by the facilitators so all attendees on the call were comfortable to share their opinions and this resulted in some great discussions. This workshop has definitely prompted me to reflect on my own day-to-day activities to ensure I am making positive steps to work towards achieving the SDGs not only within my professional life but also within my everyday actions.

During the workshop, there was a section where we focused on one topic in particular – homelessness. After exploring and discussing the root causes of the problem, we separated out into smaller groups to discuss what needed to be done from the point of view of, government bodies, within our own companies, civil society and as individuals. I found this exercise to be particularly engaging as it made me think about the SDGs in the context of a real-life, everyday crisis that needs to be solved both within our communities and globally. This exercise also made me reflect on the opportunity for a large company like Deloitte to make real positive impact towards reaching these SDGs by continuing to make meaningful impact on crises such as homelessness. This workshop, in my opinion, has really helped empower the individuals that have taken part to take action and make positive change within both the professional and personal lives.

This blog is written by Hannah O’Keeffe, the Internal Sustainability & Workplace Safety Admin for Deloitte Ireland.

Results Frameworks for Development Education – training workshop

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 10/11/2020 End Date: 10/11/2020

Event Location:

This training event is our annual workshop on Results Frameworks for Development Education , led by Susan Gallwey, for organisations applying for Irish Aid Annual Grants for Development Education .

This training is focused on supporting those who are familiar with Results Frameworks (RF) and have begun work on the RF for their applicatin. We encourage everyone to bring along their previous year's RF (where available) and any work done on this year's version. This event runs on Tuesday, 10 November from 2pm – 4pm, via Zoom. (If you are new to Results Frameworks, we recommed you also attend our Annual Grants clinic the previous week, which will include an introduction to Results Frameworks). For further information on our work on Results-based Frameworks for Development Education, you can view our toolkit here .

Irish Aid have launched the 2021 Development Education Grants . Applicants can apply for one year or two year grants. The call for proposals can be found at this link under the ‘Applying for Funding’ tab, and it includes links to the Guidelines and FAQ documents. This link also includes information on DEAR co-funding.

This training event is open to any organisation applying for the grant, including members and non-members of IDEA. This event is free of charge.

If you register by 3 November and email us your postal address, we will send you a hard copy of our toolkit ' Using Results-Based Approaches in Development Education settings: A Practical Toolkit ' (updated for 2021 grants round)

To register, or for more information, please contact communications@ideaonline.ie

Irish Annual Aid Grants Application Clinic

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 03/11/2020 End Date: 03/11/2020

Event Location: Zoom

This training event is an Annual Grants Clinic, facilitated by IDEA staff and focusing on the application form for the Irish Aid Development Education annual grants .

Irish Aid have launched the 2021 Development Education Grants. Applicants can apply for one year or two year grants. The call for proposals can be found at this link under the ‘Applying for Funding’ tab, and it includes links to the Guidelines and FAQ documents. This link also includes information on DEAR co-funding.

This training event is run online via Zoom on Tuesday, 3 November from 11am – 1pm . It wll also include an introduction to Results Frameworks by Susan Gallwey, particularly relevant for those who are new to the process.

It is open to any organisation applying for the grant, including members and non-members of IDEA. This event is free of charge.

To register, or for more information, please contact communications@ideaonline.ie

IDEA training and support on Irish Aid DE grants

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 14:43:00 GMT

Irish Aid have launched the 2021 Development Education Grants .

As in previous years, IDEA will provide support for members and spaces for members to support one another in applying for these grants. This year we are also opening our training to any other actors who are not yet members of IDEA and this training is free of charge to all.

Please register with elaine@ideaonline.ie

Irish Aid Annual Grants 2021: Call Published

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 14:40:00 GMT

Irish Aid have launched the 2021 Development Education Grants. Applicants can apply for one year or two year grants.

The call for proposals can be found at this link under the ‘Applying for Funding’ tab, it includes links to the Guidelines and FAQ documents. This link also includes information on DEAR co-funding.

There is also a press release on the Irish Aid website.

Key dates are included on the Irish Aid website, but here we highlight a couple of deadlines:

As in previous years, IDEA will provide support for members and spaces for members to support one another through the Grants Clinic, focusing on the application form (3 Nov), and also a workshop on Results Frameworks (10 Nov). Full details on those events are available on our events calendar . Please register with elaine@ideaonline.ie

IDEA VIRTUAL CONFERENCE: Rising to the Challenge – Global Citizenship in 2020, 6-9 October

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 05/10/2020 End Date: 08/10/2020

Event Location: Online

2020 has been a year of dramatic change. Our lives are in flux, systemic inequality is in the spotlight, and our response to the looming economic and climate crises hangs in the balance.

With so much uncertainty, you might be asking yourself where do we go from here?

How do we move forward with purpose?

If uncertainty opens up possibilities, how do we create a “new normal”, built on equality, diversity, sustainability and human rights for all?

One thing certain about 2020 is that it has shown that when we work together, support each other, and make something a collective priority we are capable of change on a massive scale, opening up new possibilities for how we can move forward.

Key note address will be with Mr. Philip Alston, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights (2014-2020) to discuss his final report in that role: ' The parlous state of poverty eradication ' (July 2020)

Join us from 6-9 October for the first IDEA Virtual Conference ‘ Rising to the Challenge – Global Citizenship in 2020 ’ to unpack 2020 and to explore how we can work together to rise to the challenge!

Register and find out more here !

Bridge 47 Masterclass for Business on Partnering with CSOs

Tue, 01 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 31/08/2020 End Date: 02/09/2020

Event Location: Online

As part of the Bridge 47 project, IDEA and Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI) held the Building Bridges: Cross-sector Partnerships for the SDGs Networking Forum in Belfast last September. This brought CSOs together with businesses to find ways to collaborate to achieve the SDGs.

To build on the opportunities explored at the Forum, IDEA and BITCNI have teamed up again to provide an online partnerships masterclass for business professionals , that will demonstrate the action your organisation can take to emerge stronger following COVID-19, through purposeful CSO partnerships that educate and innovate for a better future.

Time and dates

The masterclass, designed for all levels of business professionals, consists of three sessions from 9:30am to 11:10am on 1, 2 and 3 September 2020.

Modules

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

Takeaways

Learning style

Each session will be highly interactive, including theory, real-world case-studies, break-out sessions and questions.

Trainers

Remarkable Partnerships has over 35 years’ experience of creating major CSO-Business partnerships. The masterclass will be delivered online by Jonathan Andrews, Crispin Manners, Andy King and Georgina Oxlade.

Participation Fee

Free of charge for BITCNI members and €30 for other business professionals

Registration

Register here by 28 August. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis, so please register as soon as possible.

Contact

If you wish to enquire about attending this event, please contact Ji Hyun Kim, Bridge 47 Partnerships Officer, at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org or Hilary Hanberry, BITCNI Communities Manager, at hilary.hanberry@bitcni.org.uk.

Design Thinking & Global Citizenship Education

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 14:52:00 GMT

As part of our work through the Bridge 47 project, IDEA has run two train-the-trainer courses on Design Thinking for Global Citizenship Education (GCE) practitioners. Here is a blog written by Birgit O'Driscoll, a Global Citizenship Officer of Green-Schools, who attended both trainings, sharing how design thinking has helped her GCE work.

Train the Trainer Course on Design Thinking for Solving Global Challenges , June 2019

June 12th 2019, a day like any other. Sitting at my desk in the head office preparing for the teacher training event we have coming up. Another email hits my inbox, ‘Two creative training events’ reads the subject. Oh no, I really can’t get any more creative, I’m too busy! But there it is, a train the trainer two-day workshop on ‘Design Thinking for Solving Global Challenges’ for GCE practitioners in bright orange, my favourite colour! It looks interesting…

Design Thinking – I was pushed out of my comfort zone to say the least. What grabbed me most about this approach is that we investigated problems in a way I’ve never done before. I’m a solution kind of person. Give me a problem and within two minutes I’ll tell you what to do to solve it, I’m the person who can fix everything… or so I thought. Well, how wrong was I!

With Design Thinking you start by thoroughly investigating what the problem is. On day one we were told to diverge…what does that mean? Turns out it means finding out what people think of what you perceive as a problem. Is it a problem? We had to explore what people were saying about the subject of plastic waste and if they even perceived is as problematic – to get as much information as possible in a short space of time. So, we were given half an hour to go out onto the street and approach random people. We had to really dive in, speak to as many people as possible, put our ‘problem’ to them and listen! This part of the process requires active listening and empathy with what people feel, think, and say to ‘Fall in love with the problem, not the solution’ After our interview sessions we shared what we had learnt and decided on the problem, we converged! We then had to build a persona and find ways to help this person reduce their plastic consumption.

As the process is so high-paced, you hardly get a minute to think. It means that people throw out all sorts of ideas, even if they sound a little bit ‘out there’. It means that you have no choice but to be alright with failure. One of the high-paced activities is writing down an A-Z of solutions with your team as quickly as possible. Of course, not all the ideas will make sense, and some will even cause a few giggles, but that is exactly what it’s all about, having fun during the process. If you’re happy and excited your mind opens and innovation just comes naturally.

It was such a fun, high-paced way of working and the solutions that came about on the second day of the process were so innovative that both myself and my colleague Joanne felt that we were going to have to pass on what we had learnt. We began by training our own staff in the process and since then we have all been using some or all the techniques we learnt in our student workshops.

During one of our secondary school workshops we had one team of students, who had only met that day, pitch an idea about tackling environmental challenge of disposable feminine hygiene products by replacing them with reusable ones. This idea ended up becoming a reality in one of the schools that attended on the day. We firmly believe it was the Design Thinking facilitation techniques we learnt during the Bridge 47 training that helped these students to be so innovative.

‘Global Goals Jam’ Train the Trainer Online Course on Design Thinking , June 2020

Again, this year I attended Bridge 47’s ‘Global Goals Jam’ training designed for GCE facilitators as a follow up to last year’s Design Thinking training. This time the training was delivered online as four sessions throughout the month of June. Surprisingly, the online format didn’t stop me from enjoying learning about the Design Thinking approaches and process, and working on developing an idea and designing a Global Goals-related local project.

One of the methods I enjoyed a lot was to go out on a ‘photo walk’. Simply looking at and paying attention to my surroundings opened my mind and helped me come up with creative ideas translating big global goals into smaller local design steps. We used this method in our Green-Schools online teacher training where we asked teachers, working in groups, to develop a local project to raise awareness about the importance of Goal 4 on Quality Education. While enjoying the new brainstorming technique, teachers came up with simple but powerful project ideas which varied from learning to grow food to become self-sufficient, to addressing global waste problems by educating local communities on how to correctly reduce, reuse and recycle materials.

I think that Design Thinking can and will be a very large part of how we tackle global environmental challenges. Determining the problem is such a big part of the process, and the fun that is involved in this high-paced approach gives space to all the, so called, crazy ideas to come out. As a result, this way of working enables us to actually hear our young people and listen to their inventive ways of looking at things.

As I once told a first class boy – who was laughed at by everyone else in the class when he said: “ we should create a robot squirrel who would chase off the invasive grey squirrel allowing the red squirrel to make a comeback ” – that is exactly the kind of innovative thinking we need. Well done you!

(Image credit: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences Digital Society School)

Working on outcomes: Themes and learning from the Impact Measurement Masterclass

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 10:30:00 GMT

Between April and June 2020, Quality Matters was invited by IDEA to deliver an Impact Measurement Masterclass, for formal and non-formal education practitioners to explore outcome measurement with Development Education (DE) organisations. The masterclass was delivered as a series of virtual workshops and conversations attended by 19 individuals representing 15 IDEA member organisations and individuals from across the sector. From the outset, participants all agreed that demonstrating the outcomes of their work was important, but that organisations need to take several factors into account for an outcome measurement process to be successful and meaningful for both participants and staff alike.

Outcome measurement can be defined as measuring the change that has occurred, because of a specific activity or project, for a range of stakeholders. It involves understanding both the positive and negative, and intended or unintended outcomes, created by this work. Analysing outcome data can support organisations with their future strategic planning, ongoing quality improvement and decision-making about a project or activity.

To look at how an outcome-focused approach might be used by DE organisations, we will explore a few issues addressed in the training.

Identifying the changes that matter most. For DE organisations, a strength is that Result-based Frameworks (RFs) and Result Chains are widely used to define the outcomes and outputs of projects and activities. For charities and non-profit organisations, a theory of change (or other Project Management tools such as RFs) is an integral step in identifying and defining outcomes to be generated by their activities or programmes. At the start of an outcome measurement process, such a framework can help an organisation to answer key research questions, such as:

By answering these questions, an organisation can establish the scope of its outcome measurement process. It's certainly a good starting place for engaging in a broader discussion with a staff team about what an organisation is trying to accomplish and setting a proportionate scope, including the number of stakeholders who will be involved. Establishing the scope also came up in terms of trying to decide on measuring outcomes for individual learners,or taking a broader approach to measuring changes for other stakeholder groups. It was recognised that outcomes related to policy and advocacy work often require different indicators to methods for measuring behavioural or attitudinal outcomes for participants.

Finding the right tools for the job. Training participants were interested in more examples of tools used for measuring the extent of change, or when an outcome has been achieved (or not). There are outcome measurement tools used within the Irish Development Education sector that participants could point to as examples. For instance, World Wise Global Schools developed a self-assessment tool to measure changes in both students’ and teachers’ skills, knowledge, attitudes and actions.

We also looked at examples of good practice, from other sectors in or outside of Ireland, to better understand how organisations can measure social and behavioural outcomes. For the Impact Measurement Masterclass, Quality Matters prepared a report with examples of various tools used in Development Education work. While DE organisations have the necessary skills and practical experience with undertaking research and evaluation, some may not be familiar with validated tools which are available and may be used for measuring outcomes.

Measuring intangibles can be difficult. Using outcome measurement as a way of measuring change relating to 'intangible' or 'soft' outcomes (such as changes in attitudes or beliefs) resonated with many participants. Most organisations use a combination of outputs, quantitative data and feedback from their beneficiaries to show the impact of their work, but some feel a more focused approach to demonstrating educational, social, attitudinal and behavioural outcomes would be useful. The first step is answering simple questions about which specific activity you are measuring the impact of, and which groups of individuals (or stakeholders) experience this change.

Some things are easier to measure than others. The truth is that, for many charities and non-profit organisations, there is no single method, survey or tool to measure outcomes for an intervention. As we know, different organisations require different approaches to effectively measure their work. But, if organisations don't have the time or resources to invest in developing appropriate surveys, questionnaires or measurement tools, they won't be able to work out how to measure their 'intangible' or 'soft' outcomes. Many participants recognised there are benefits to outcome measurement and the growing role for IDEA may be to help organisations with building this capacity and solving these practical challenges in years to come.

Opportunities to learn and improve. It may seem obvious, but one of the interesting discussion points from the Masterclass workshops was how organisations would use their outcome data as an opportunity to learn and improve, and to demonstrate to funders how programmes are effective. Many participants discussed how their organisations were already collecting data used for a variety of purposes, and how this data may already demonstrate both the effectiveness and outcomes generated by their work. In this context, the real challenge of starting an outcome-focussed approach is determining what resources are available, what data is already being collected and what will be measured by an organisation.

As for what might encourage more DE organisations to measure outcomes, or help to decide if outcome measurement is worthwhile, an outcome-focussed approach will support any organisations to make evidence-informed decisions about their interventions and to test if this work is making a difference for their stakeholder groups. Don't try shooting for the stars; think about outcome measurement being proportionate to your work (and staff resources) and finding simple means of undertaking outcome measurement with your stakeholders, so they find this experience rewarding, meaningful and positive.

Philip Isard is a Senior Project Specialist with Quality Matters

Bridge 47 Masterclass on Partnering with Business

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 26/07/2020 End Date: 29/07/2020

Event Location: Online

As part of the Bridge 47 project, we are developing ambitious partnerships between civil society and others that can help us bring Global Citizenship Education (GCE) to new audiences and demonstrate that the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without it.

In conjunction with partnerships experts Remarkable Partnerships, IDEA is holding an online partnerships masterclass – for IDEA members and other CSOs – to provide you with the skills and tools to create partnerships with the private sector that deliver on the SDGs.

Time and dates:

The masterclass consists of three sessions from 9:30am to 11:10am on 28th, 29th and 30th July 2020.

What you will learn:

Module 1

Module 2

Module 3

What you will take away:

Learning style:

Each session will be engaging, memorable, and interactive. It will include theory, case-studies, a live demonstration with a participant, break-out sessions and questions.

Participation fee:

Free of charge for IDEA members and €30 for other CSOs

Registration:

Please register here by Monday 27 July. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

If you wish to enquire about attending this event, please contact Ji Hyun Kim, Bridge 47 National Officer at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org.

Call for Tender: Design and Delivery of IDEA Virtual Campus 2020

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 10:28:00 GMT

IDEA is seeking an experienced online event organiser to assist us in the design and delivery of the IDEA Virtual Campus in October 2020. The successful candidate will coordinate the overall design of the online architecture and manage the hosting of the event to ensure a successful event and seamless participant experience.

Deadline for application is 5.00pm, Monday, 20 July.

You can find the full Terms of Reference here .

IDEA Calendar of Events: Spring/Summer 2020

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 16:52:00 GMT

February

Wednesday 19th

March

Wednesday 25th:

Friday 27th

April

Wednesday 8th April:

Thursday 23th April:

Wednesday 29th:

May

Monday 11th:

Tuesday 12th:

Tuesday 19th:

Monday 25th:

Tuesday 26th:

Wednesday 27th:

June

Tuesday 2nd:

Thursday 4th:

Thursdays 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th:

Tuesday 9th June:

Wednesday 10th:

Tuesday 16th:

Wednesday 17th:

Tuesday 23rd:

Tuesday 30th:

July

Tuesday 7th:

Thursday 9th

Tuesday 14th

Tuesday 21st:

Tues – Thurs 28th – 30th:

August

Tues – Thurs 4th – 6th:

From Traditional to Transformative: Irish Businesses Explore How to Go Beyond CSR

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 14:55:00 GMT

Last Wednesday on 17 June, businesses from across Ireland came together in an online training event organised by IDEA to learn about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their potential to achieve impacts beyond traditional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices.

More than 30 companies joined the Bridge 47 virtual event, ‘Beyond CSR – Sustainability Helping You to Build Back Better’. Participants discovered how to develop a ten-point SDG plan with trainers and sustainability experts Dr. Tara Shine and Madeleine Murray.

The training began with Tara pointing out that sustainability is about far more than just environmental issues but rather a ‘happy society, healthy planet and thriving economy’. Striking examples to highlight the different SDGs were employed and hot topics such as the current Black Lives Matter protests were deliberated on.

Participants were asked what their main COVID-19 pain points were, from unemployment to reduced hours to small business closures. They learned how these problems related to various SDGs including Goal 8 of Decent Work and Economic Growth and Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. It was hoped such illustrations would reinforce the learning for participants of the relevance and interconnections between all SDGs. One participant stated that ‘this has been enlightening in how we can align to all 17 goals’.

Empowering employees in lifelong learning and Global Citizenship Education emerged as a key theme. Activities encouraged participants to think critically about consumer and employee attitudes and understanding of sustainable development. There was general agreement that employees cared about sustainable business and it was highlighted that millennials are prepared to make personal sacrifices to make an impact on issues they care about, whether that’s leaving their job if their employer’s CSR values no longer met their expectations or taking a pay cut to work for a responsible company. This implies that employees would be open to education programmes on sustainable development topics. The trainers shared several examples from businesses that have already engaged their staff teams in such learning with the content informed by staff surveys.

Throughout the training, participants became equipped with the skills and knowledge to develop impactful strategies to engage with the SDGs. If companies learn to embed CSR effectively into all aspects of business, then it can be transformative. As pointed out by the trainers quoting the writer Damian Barr ‘we are not all in the same boat, we are all in the same storm’ but those that are flexible and adaptable are the companies that will thrive.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is being felt across all sectors, especially business. This event offered the private sector new ways of learning and thinking about the world.

We are keen to engage with as many businesses as possible through Bridge 47 training and events with a view to promoting and supporting more meaningful engagement with the SDGs, raising awareness of the importance and benefits of GCE, and building relationships with potential partners outside our sector. The training was the first of three events being organised by IDEA for 2020 to bridge between civil society and the private sector. Watch this space for details of upcoming events.

For further information on the above training or Bridge 47 activities in Ireland, please contact Ji Hyun Kim, Bridge 47 National Officer at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org .

This article first appeared on bridge47.org , 25 June 2020

‘Global Goals Jam’ Train-the-Trainer Online Workshops on Design Thinking

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 24/06/2020 End Date: 24/06/2020

Event Location: Online

Due to Covid-19 we previously postponed our 2-day Global Goals Jam in-person training scheduled for 1-2 April. We are delighted to announce that we will now host this event as four 3-hour online sessions every Thursday afternoon in June!

Dates: Thursday 4, 11, 18 & 25 June

Time: 1:30 – 4:30pm (including breaks)

Location: Miro & Zoom – Online link will be shared once registered

The training aims to build the capacity of Development Education/Global Citizenship Education practitioners in using the ‘Global Goals Jam’ in their work as a new way to engage people in finding innovative and sustainable solutions to global challenges.

The Global Goals Jam , co-developed by UNDP and Digital Society School, is a two-day event where creative teams work together on local challenges related to the Global Goals (also known as the SDGs) every September, connecting a global network of change makers across 90 cities worldwide. In the Jam, participants use a tailored toolkit to help them translate big goals into local challenges to design for sustainable impact.

During the training, our facilitators from Digital Society School, Anneke van Woerden (SDG Expert and Impact Producer) and Anna Aris (Digital Transformation Designer) will help participants:

Modules:

If you are interested to know what Design Thinking is and how Design Thinking can impact the world of education, please click here . Also, the details of the previous workshop on Design Thinking can be found here .

Cost: €90 for IDEA members and €180 for non-members. The fee includes participation in four online workshop sessions and Design Thinking tools to take away.

Important Note: As the training is based on interactive group work, participants need to attend all four sessions. Each session will also be recorded and made available to participants.

To register, or find out more, please contact Ji at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org by 29 May.

Bridge 47 Webinar for Business: Beyond CSR – Sustainability Helping You to Build Back Better

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 16/06/2020 End Date: 16/06/2020

Event Location: Online

Are you wondering what the future holds for your business?

Have you thought about the role sustainability can play in building resilience and helping you to build back better?

Would you like to know more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how they can help your business to articulate its purpose locally and globally?

Have you considered how staff learning and engagement can help your business be a force for positive social change?

As part of the EU-funded project Bridge 47, we are holding a 2-hour webinar on sustainability for business on Wednesday 17th June (10am-12pm).

Our trainers Change by Degrees have designed the webinar specifically for Irish businesses drawing on their international expertise and their experience working with SMEs and corporates in Ireland.

The webinar will be informative and practical, using case studies and toolkits to enable you to take action.

The Zoom link will be made available to you closer to the time.

To register or find out more: https://bit.ly/2Xpz4Pf .

MATERNITY COVER: FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION OFFICER

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 13:09:00 GMT

IDEA is looking to recruit a Finance & Administration Officer on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The successful candidate will coordinate the finance and administration function of the IDEA office. This is a varied role requiring good organisation and multi-tasking skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills and experience. The position is for 3 days per week.

Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) and CVs should be sent by email to: recruitment@ideaonline.ie .

All applications will be dealt with in full confidentiality. Candidates invited for interview will be informed by 13 July.

Deadline for application is 6 July 2020. Full specifications here .

IDEA AGM 2020

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 09/06/2020 End Date: 09/06/2020

Event Location: Online

This year IDEA's Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday, 10 June, online, at 10.00am . This will be followed by a discussion with representatives from Irish Aid focusing on Our Response to Covid-19, 11.00am – 12.00 noon.

The link to the event will be shared with registered participents closer to the time.

Please register below before 03 June !

Bridge 47 is seeking an expert to design & deliver online masterclasses on partnerships

Mon, 11 May 2020 12:55:00 GMT

The Bridge 47 Project, which includes IDEA as a key partner, is seeking an expert to design and deliver two online masterclasses on how to build impactful CSO-Business partnerships for the SDGs – one tailored for the third sector (primarily IDEA members) and the other tailored for the private sector, based in Ireland. The main objectives are to help participants:

All details are available in the Terms of Reference here .

The deadline for application is 12pm, Thursday, 28 May.

Development Education and Covid-19

Wed, 06 May 2020 14:44:00 GMT

The coronavirus has created a climate of uncertainty and fear. People may be ill or vulnerable, in nursing homes or hospitals, cocooning, or affected by the economic crisis. People in countries without effective healthcare systems are exposed and vulnerable. Access to medicine and the ability to self-isolate or socially-distance are unavailable to many people. This is a crisis of inequality. The coronavirus was not created by inequality, but this crisis is exacerbated and propagated by inequality.

How can we react as a Development Education community to this situation? What roles should civil society and Development Education play in responding to this pandemic? What roles should we play after the pandemic?

These are questions which we are all asking ourselves. Trying to answer them, while responding to this rapidly changing situation, is difficult. At IDEA we believe that we need to explore these questions together. This piece is a starting point. We will be creating spaces for IDEA members to explore these questions together during the coming weeks and months.

Isolation and Isolationism

Covid-19 effects Development Education in multiple and complex ways. Paradox and uncertainty seem to be defining features of these. The responses to the coronavirus strengthen both the things we are working for (collective action, solidarity, working together for the greater good) and the things we are working against (isolationism, closing borders, inequality, separating different parts of the world). There is a thin line between self-isolation and isolationism. But there is also a thin line between collective community action and collective global action. This is one of those moments where the veil between worlds is thin and where possibilities can travel like ghosts between the world as it was before and world that will be, the ‘new normal’.

Misanthropy and Community

The virus makes us both misanthropic and a community. How we define that community, and how we deal with misanthropy and fear, are crucial questions for this moment. Development Education can help us answer them.

The virus makes us act like misanthropes. We are learning to see other people as a source of danger. We are told to avoid other people. While this is based on the central paradox of this situation, that to stay together we need to stay apart, we are nonetheless learning to relate to other people as a danger to ourselves, our families, our communities. This can be twisted into racist or nativist sentiments and messages. This is an important moment for us in Development Education to counter these narratives, to challenge these assumptions and to renew our connections with anti-racism, intercultural education and global struggles against inequality. We have to help people to see that the only solution to this crisis is collective and interdependent action, locally, nationally and internationally.

The virus also makes us a community. We are contributing to a collective effort the like of which we have not seen in our lifetimes. All of us together are flattening the curve. We are all supporting families, neighbours, loved ones and strangers. “We must love one another or die” as W.H. Auden starkly put it in September 1st, 1939. But does this community fray when we stray beyond our borders? Does it apply to everyone everywhere? When it comes to competition for scarce PPE or medicines, do we want our country to get what others cannot? Some political leaders have been stoking these sentiments of division, and the competition for PPE has been compared to piracy. If the sense of community does fray, and unravels at our borders, we will condemn others to suffer more deeply from this virus and we will condemn ourselves to suffer from it for longer. As UN Secretary General Antonio Gutierez said “we are only as strong as our weakest health system”. Dr Tony Holohan echoed this on RTÉ radio recently when he said “Everything that has to be done … has to be done by everybody.” We are a global community. Development Education educates people about our role in this global community. This is our strength. This is an important moment for us to do what we do best and enable people to take action within our global community.

Points of Light

In the same poem Auden also wrote about “points of light” flashing out in the night of a crisis.

“Defenceless under the night

Our world in stupor lies;

Yet, dotted everywhere,

Ironic points of light

Flash out wherever the Just

Exchange their messages”

WH Auden, September 1st, 1939

We are already seeing many of these points of light when action is taken together and with purpose. Collective action has been renewed and has taken on new forms. Some of this has been state-led, like our self-isolating, cocooning and social distancing, and the focusing of state systems onto health and social protection. Some has been citizen-led; people clapping and singing on their doorsteps for healthcare workers, buying groceries for older people, sharing educational tools online. There has been an outpouring of sharing, creativity and community in the initial response to this crisis.

Policies that seemed impossible are now done, from rent freezes to a combined healthcare system to a massive mobilisation of social protection. That opens new possibilities in politics and in society. It will be much more difficult to argue that it is impossible to make changes like these when we have seen so many of them happen in such a short space of time.

People now have direct personal experience of many of the issues we speak about in Development Education; interdependence, inequality and how the status quo protects some and exposes other to greater dangers, the importance of basic needs like running water and food supplies, the importance of in-person schooling. Things that have been invisible or taken for granted have been made visible to vast numbers of people.

Although we are “defenceless under the night” we are creating “points of light”. Our work in Development Education is central to this; sharing solutions from all parts of the world, celebrating active citizenship, educating and enabling people to take action that will create more and more points of light.

Paradox, Perspectives and Global Citizenship

Paradox is one of the defining features of our response to this virus. We are isolating to strengthen society. It has turned everything on its head. It has turned our assumptions and beliefs as civil society on their heads. It is difficult to understand it, and immensely difficult to know how to react to it. Our old ways of working, which were relevant a few weeks ago, now seem obsolete. They may still be the way to react to this situation, or we may need new ways or new combinations. We do not have the answers, we probably do not even have the questions yet.

In Development Education we are accustomed to paradox, we are comfortable with discomfort, we are schooled in the pedagogy of discomfort. We must fall back on that, and magnify our ability to explore paradox, contradiction and divergence while maintaining our focus on the better world which we are driven to create. We know that exploring different perspectives engenders different solutions. This crisis has scrambled our perspectives. We can be at once alone and social. Healthy people are being told to act as if we are ill. In our online meetings we are there and not there. Perhaps that understanding and accepting of multiple perspectives and multiple voices is our way through? (Maybe it is instructive that one of the most famous works of pandemic literature, the Decameron, is made up of a hundred stories of a fractured time and a world turned upside down?) Our ability to explore paradox and different perspectives is needed in this situation, now and in the aftermath of this pandemic.

Political choices will determine the future that follows this crisis as well as the immediate response. Equality, global citizenship and sustainability must be the drivers of these choices. This crisis has shown how important global citizenship is for all of us no matter where we are in the world. Everywhere we look, we can see people being active global citizens. As a Development Education community we have the ability to facilitate and articulate this drive for participation by all people in a more just and equal world. It is important that we bring this to the global effort to tackle this crisis. We must engage politically and work to ensure that global citizenship – which is being shown by individuals and communities everywhere – is at the heart of the national and international political response to this crisis and its aftermath.

As a Development Education community we have many of the tools we need to address and understand this situation, and to find the possibilities in this impossible situation. We need to draw on our strengths, to start with what we do so well, and to create and invent new configurations, combinations, and approaches as we do so. We are facing two challenges, the challenge of the present and the challenge of the future. Both will be immensely difficult. Both will also create new possibilities. We need to be ready and willing to pursue these possibilities, these ghosts of the future. We no longer know what the future is and that opens many other possible futures. We need to use our tools and strengths to build the future that we want within all this uncertainty and fear, and, as Auden said, “Show an affirming flame”.

This blog is written by Frank Geary, Director of IDEA. Image Credit: Martin Sanchez

Impact Masterclass for Development Education

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 28/04/2020 End Date: 28/04/2020

Event Location: Zoom

When: Wednesday 29 April from 9.30am – 12.30pm (including breaks)

IDEA is running an Impact Masterclass led by Philip Isard of Quality Matters. This online training will focus on measuring impact in educational work, particularly in the area of Development Education/Global Citizenship Education. Participants will be led through an interactive session that will address how to identify your impact (know what to look for), how to measure it and then how to articulate it (internally/reporting etc.) There will also be shorter follow-up sessions available to training participants – more details to follow.

About the trainer: Philip Isard is a Senior Project Specialist with Quality Matters. Philip works as a senior consultant, researcher and educator for community and voluntary organisations, charities, non-for-profits and social enterprises and has significant experience in impact measurement training. Quality Matters is a not-for-profit organisation (CHY 20771) established in 2012 as the first Irish charity with a specific focus on supporting continuous quality improvement in social and public services.

Cost: €25 for members of IDEA and €40 for non-members – the fee includes participation in the training workshop, and any follow-up session, as well as handouts and materials.

Please note that this registration is limited to one participant per IDEA member due to high demand. We will create a waiting list for other interested partites. After the closing date for registration (22 April) we will seek to accommodate those on the waiting list.

To register , or find out more, contact elaine@ideaonline.ie . Registration will close on Wednesday, 22 April.

Designing and Delivering a Virtual Development Education Conference

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 22/04/2020 End Date: 22/04/2020

Event Location: Zoom

In the third and final of our series of online sessions on delivering Development Education virtually, we will be looking at Designing and Delivering a virtual conference for the Development Education sector. 

When:   Thursday 23 April from 2.00pm – 4.00pm GMT via Zoom. 

What to expect:  In this interactive session we will explore key considerations for designing a virtual conference, from the architecture of the event (using virtual tools e.g. SLACK and Howspace) to delivering an interactive learning experience for a large group of attendees (e.g. using Open Space Technology). This training will provide you with a rapid action road map to move a conference to a virtual or blended setting. A key point of emphasis will be on not just moving content but creating a meaningful way to engage participants and assess the level of engagement. We will also dedicate time to consolidate learning from these 3 trainings and consider how members can collaborate and what further supports may be needed.

About the trainer:  Charo Lanao-Madden is a highly experienced trainer and coach based in Northern Ireland and working with people and communities in 15 countries around the world, regularly using online tools. Charo uses theoretical models and research and delivers training, facilitation or coaching in such a way that participants are fully engaged with their own experiences and emotions. Charo balances experiential learning with reflective practice, and tailors training by listening to what is happening in real time.

Cost:  This training is free of charge. It is open to IDEA members only. It will be recorded and shared after the event.

Register below by Wednesday 22 April. The Zoom link to sign-in to the webinar will be shared by 22 April with all registered participants. If you have any questions or if you can’t attend and want to receive the recording contact  elaine@ideaonline.ie .

PRESS RELEASE Code of Good Practice

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 12:42:32 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic, invite an expert to write about it. Having a variety of authors in your blog is a great way to keep visitors engaged. You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page that gets lots of comments, you can look here to find topics to write about.

Become a Member of the Bridge 47 Network

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 14:48:00 GMT

Are you active in the field of lifelong learning, transformative education and SDG Target 4.7? Then join our Bridge 47 global network!

What is the Bridge 47 Network?
The Bridge 47 Network brings together people who work with transformative learning and education for active citizenship from around the world. It was initiated in 2014, with the aim to create a learning forum for members and help them spot and create inspiring, out of the box opportunities for cooperation. So far Bridge 47 has facilitated numerous transnational connections and we strive to form a vibrant coalition for education that inspires hearts and minds across continents. What is unique about the Network, is that it represents the first such Network to facilitate multi-stakeholder conversations in the broader 4.7 community globally and in Europe.

What do we do?
We advocate for the target 4.7 of the SDGs, which is related to transformative education, e.g. global citizenship education and education for sustainable development. We also offer learning and networking spaces for transformative learning experts and enthusiasts to connect, share participatory educational methods and tools to inspire people to act and simply do things differently. Have a sneak peek in what our global gatherings look like: Unlocking the power of 4.7 (Brussels), Global Citizenship Education for Systemic Change (Belgrade) and Envision 4.7 (Helsinki).

Who can become a member?
Individuals who share our values and who are passionate about education, whether non-formal or formal, as a tool for achieving sustainable development and social justice, can join our story. Our network is very diverse – we represent civil society organizations and academia, we are policy makers, educators and activists, and some of us come from the private sector, too. For now, organisations/ institutions cannot become members, but they are very welcome to reach out and partner up either with us or our members on the different initiatives.

What added value would joining the Network bring for the members?

How can you become a member?
You can join by simply filling in a short form about your expertise, interests and needs from the Network. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes, and it helps us a lot getting an overview of the Network, and ideas how we can best facilitate discussions and cooperation. You can access it here: www.bridge47.org/join .

Bridge 47 is seeking an expert to design & deliver a SDG online workshop for businesses

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 12:22:00 GMT

The Bridge 47 Project, which includes IDEA as a key partner, is seeking an expert to design, deliver and evaluate a two-hour online workshop focussing on an introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global citizenship for representatives from the private sector.

The objectives of the workshop are to help participants:

All details are available in the Terms of Reference here .

The deadline for application is 5.00pm, Monday, 04 May.

Hosting Development Education Sessions in the Online Space

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 07/04/2020 End Date: 07/04/2020

Event Location: Zoom

In the second of our series of online sessions on delivering Development Education virtually, we will be looking at Hosting Development Education Sessions in the online space.

When: Wednesday 8 April from 10.00am – 11.30am GMT via Zoom.

What to expect: In this interactive session you will explore key aspects when facilitating online; from participant engagement, to creating personal connection, to having a (tech-)buddy and a variety of other methods to result in highly effective online facilitation.

About the trainer: Charo Lanao-Madden is a highly experienced trainer and coach based in Northern Ireland and working with people and communities in 15 countries around the world, regularly using online tools. Charo uses theoretical models and research and delivers training, facilitation or coaching in such a way that participants are fully engaged with their own experiences and emotions. Charo balances experiential learning with reflective practice, and tailors training by listening to what is happening in real time.

Cost: This training is free of charge. It is open to IDEA members only. It will be recorded and shared after the event.

Register below by Tuesday 7 April. The Zoom link to sign-in to the webinar will be shared by 7 April with all registered participants. If you have any questions or if you can’t attend and want to receive the recording contact elaine@ideaonline.ie .

Postponed – ‘Global Goals Jam’ Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Design Thinking

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 31/03/2020 End Date: 01/04/2020

Event Location: Dublin (TBC)

In line with the recommendations relating to Covid-19, we have decided to postpone our 2-day Global Goals Jam workshop 1-2 April. We are planning to reschedule it and will share the new date once it has been confirmed.

Due to the popularity of the Design Thinking training last summer, IDEA is running another two-day Train-the-Trainer workshop on Design Thinking called ‘Global Goals Jam’ on 1-2 April – Time and location will be confirmed soon.

The Global Goals Jam (co-developed by UNDP and Digital Society School) is a two-day event where creative teams work together on local challenges related to the Global Goals (also known as the SDGs) every September, connecting a global network of change makers across 85 cities worldwide. In the Jam, participants use a tailored toolkit to help them translate big goals into local challenges to design for sustainable impact.

During the training, Anneke van Woerden, SDG Expert and Impact Producer from Digital Society School, will guide the entire process of the 2-day Jam demonstrating how to host a ‘Jam’ and use the Global Goals Jam toolkit (‘Jamkit’).

Cost: €100 for members of IDEA and €200 for non-members. The fee includes participation in both days of the training workshop, lunch, tea/coffee as well as a Jamkit to take away for each participant. A certificate of attendance will also be handed out upon completion.

To register, or find out more, please contact Ji at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org by 19 March.

Important Note: The workshop will be limited to 15 people only, so that maximum interaction is possible. We will therefore prioritise IDEA members, especially those who are active in Development Education/Global Citizenship Education facilitation work. Also, as the workshop is based on interactive group work, participants must be able to attend the two full days from the beginning to the end. Please indicate your availability in your email.

Training: Tools for online Development Education sessions

Fri, 27 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 27/03/2020 End Date: 27/03/2020

Event Location: Online via Zoom (webinar)

In response to the current situation, with so many of us working remotely, IDEA is offering a series of online sessions on delivering Development Education virtually.

When: the first session takes place on Friday 27 March from 10am – 11.30am GMT via Zoom . Future sessions are planned for the week beginning 5 April (details to follow).

What to expect: In this highly interactive session you will experience effective, creative and engaging ways of using features of video conferencing tools and tools to harvest information such as polling tools, breakout rooms, sharing your screen etc.. The session will be focussed mainly on Zoom (as we will use that platform for the session). It is relevant for anyone who delivers virtual workshops. Staying connected with your participants during a virtual workshop or training is crucial. Therefore, you need to be able to make decisions about when, why and how to use which tool, depending on the context and the number of participants. You will be able to immediately transfer these new skills to your own practice.

We will also use the first session as a needs assessment for what IDEA members would like us to cover in future sessions – such as online ‘hosting’ of groups to create connection and trust, running a virtual conference, self-care and energy in the virtual space, delivering one-off workshops or a series of sessions etc.

About the trainer: Charo Lanao-Madden is a highly experienced trainer and coach based in Northern Ireland and working with people and communities in 15 countries around the world, regularly using online tools. Charo uses theoretical models and research and delivers training, facilitation or coaching in such a way that participants are fully engaged with their own experiences and emotions. Charo balances experiential learning with reflective practice, and tailors training by listening to what is happening in real time.

To register, please contact communications@ideaonline.ie by Thursday 26 March.

Cost : This training is free of charge. It is open to IDEA members only. It will be recorded and shared after the event.

Call for tenders – Design of Impact Masterclass for Development Education

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 16:04:00 GMT

IDEA is seeking an expert to design and lead a one-day training workshop for our members on measuring impact in educational work, particularly in the area of Development Education/Global Citizenship Education.

All details are available in the terms of reference here .

Please submit your CV and a letter of interest outlining your planned methodology for the work to be carried out (2 pages maximum), as well as examples of previous relevant work. Please indicate the number of days required for the work and your fee and send to elaine@ideaonline.ie by 12 midday on Thursday 12 March 2020.

We need to talk about Palestine

Thu, 20 Feb 2020 14:03:00 GMT

Our first Conversation Circle of 2020, 'We need to talk about Palestine', (19 Feb 2020) focussed on two perspectives from the region: Fatin Al Tamimi, the chairperson of the  Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign , and Patricia Owens, who recently returned from three months with the  Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). 

Patricia has worked in the area of education for a number of years.  In August 2019 Patricia volunteered in Yanoun, a small rural village in the North of the West Bank for three months with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). As an EAPPI volunteer, she provided a protective presence and monitored human rights abuses.  

The event opened with a presentation from Patricia on her three months as an ‘EA’ (Ecumenical Accompanier). She reminded us that the Occupied Palestinian Territories are roughly the same size geographically as Co. Galway with a population which is 25 times the size of Co. Galway. She shared her experience of Yanoun which is a very vulnerable community of an small and ageing population is close proximity to new Israeli settlements and outposts. In Israeli law, outposts are distinguished from settlements authorized by the Israeli government. This distinction between illegal outposts and “legal” settlements is not endorsed by international law, which considers both a violation. There has been an international presence of EAPPI in Yanoun since 2002. Patricia volunteered accompanying farmers and shepherds who were grazing their flocks on their own land outside the village, and were often approached aggressively by Israeli settlers who wanted to push them back into the village.

The conversation focused on the importance of an international connection with Palestine, and the hope this can give people living in Palestine. The situation can often appear to be hopeless and people living in Gaza and the West Bank demonstrate huge resilience in the face of occupation. The EAPPI programme provides for ‘principled impartiality’ to uphold human rights and international law. Another example provided was of the EA team accompanying Palestinian children to school where they must pass Israeli soldiers and trying to maintain calm in a tense atmosphere.

As Development Educators, we are urged to keep Palestine on our agenda as a global justice issue. We have an important role to play in raising awareness of the lived realities of people in Palestine and the affect on their access to education and employment. Showing solidarity with Palestinians can happen through school-twinning initiatives, volunteering in Palestine, raising the issue with our elected representatives and considering the BDS movement within our own organisational procurement policies and personal lives as consumers.

*Trócaire has a guide of FAQ on the Bill here: https://www.trocaire.org/news/what-you-need-know-about-occupied-territories-bill

Bridge 47: Communications Intern (Paid Internship)

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 15:56:00 GMT

IDEA is recruiting a Communications Intern to work on our Bridge 47 project. This role will provide support to the communications activities of Bridge 47 partnerships work in Ireland and across the project’s work in Europe.

This is an opportunity to be part of our work on developing innovative partnerships between civil society and others. Our aim is to bring Global Citizenship Education to new audiences and demonstrate that it is essential to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Deadline for application is Friday the 6th of March.

Full job description is available here .

Conversation Circle: We need to talk about Palestine

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 19/02/2020 End Date: 19/02/2020

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

Our first Conversation Circle of 2020, 'We need to talk about Palestine', will take place Wednesday, 19 February, 12.30 – 2.00pm in the IDEA Office. This will focus on two perspectives from the region: Fatin Al Tamimi, the chairperson of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign ; and Patricia Owens, who recently returned from three months with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI).

Fatin is a Palestinian/Irish citizen, living in Ireland since 1988. Although she grew up outside of her native country, she carries Palestine with her, and dreams of going back to live in her native city of Al-Khalil (Hebron). Her main goal is to raise awareness and work on ending oppression, inhumanity and injustice in the world and strive for peace in Palestine. Fatin believes the Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) movement, is one of the most effective ways to promote Palestinian rights and achieve justice.  

Patricia has worked in the area of education for a number of years.  In March 2017, Patricia visited Israel and Palestine and the trip motivated her to do a Masters in International Security and Conflict. In August 2019 Patricia volunteered in Yanoun, a small rural village in the North of the West Bank for three months with the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI). As an EAPPI volunteer, she provided a protective presence and monitored human rights abuses.

Registration will take place from 12.30pm and participants can help themselves to a light lunch before the conversation starts at 12.45pm.

To register contact: communications@ideaonline.ie

Political Leadership for Sustainable Development

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 15:54:00 GMT

Why do the SDGs matter to politicians, and why do politicians matter for the SDGs?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the most comprehensive and broad-ranging political commitments that exist at global level.

Whether you are a resident of Delhi worried about increasing levels of pollution, or a constituent in Limerick concerned about access to housing, the SDGs are quantifiable goals that can be used to hold your government to account.

However, if elected officials aren’t aware of the scope of the Goals, the commitments that underpin them, or the tools they offer to bring about positive change in the communities they represent, this cannot happen.

In 2019, I was invited by IDEA as part of the EU Bridge 47 project to develop a training on Political Leadership for Sustainable Development. Working together with Women for Election, a non-partisan organisation that encourages women in Ireland to run for political office, this training would support women councillors to strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the role of the SDGs, what they could do to support the achievement of the Goals and what the Goals can do to support them in their work.

Developing the Training

Part of the brief was to use the participatory methodologies that comprise the Global Citizenship Education approach.

It was also critical that the day was tailored to reflect the specific role of councillors, what they have power and control over, and the different levels of prior knowledge and experience of the SDGs that a diverse group of councillors from across the country would bring.

As a result, the training was designed to be practical and action-focused: giving participants the tools to come up with action plans, share experiences and identify concrete steps they could take in their own areas to advance the SDGs. As well as providing participants with tools and content to strengthen their knowledge about the SDGs, it was critical to ensure they had the time and space to reflect on what this new approach could mean for their office, as well as the opportunity to brainstorm with other women in the same role. We used scenarios that were commonly faced by councillors, and participants linked them to the relevant SDGs, working together to identify strategies and approaches.

The inclusion of an external speaker with a political background to talk about the importance of the SDGs meant that there was an opportunity to ask questions of someone who had been in the same position, with the same challenges, and brought an important sense of realism and opportunity to the day.

Opportunity for Change

Three trainings were held, with representatives from across Ireland.

The energy and enthusiasm with which the participants engaged in the day is hugely encouraging, as is their recognition that the SDGs matter for local government. It will take some time to see if this new understanding will change their approach, but one thing is clear: If we are to make significant progress on the SDGs, political leadership for sustainable development is essential. However, if the engagement of the women councillors who participated is anything to go by, there is reason for us to be optimistic. 

This blog is written by Maeve Bateman.

COGP Network Meeting

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:44:00 GMT

September

Tuesday 1- Wednesday 3:

Tuesday 8:

Wednesday 10:

Tuesday 15:

Tuesday 22:

Tuesday 29

October

Tuesday 6 – Friday 9:

Tuesday 13:

Wednesday 14:

Friday 16:

Monday 19:

Tuesday 20:

Friday 23:

November

Tuesday 3:

Tuesday 10 :

Tuesday 17:

Tuesday 24:

December

Date TBC:

1 December:

W/c 14 Dec:

IDEA: General Election Candidate Engagement

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 15:14:00 GMT

The general election on Saturday, 8th February is an important opportunity to get key priorities for Development Education onto the political agenda. To support this, we have developed a short guide outlining specific ‘asks’ you can make of the candidates you meet. These include:

Read the full guide here .

Job Opportunity: Bridge 47 Partnerships Coordinator

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 14:22:00 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association is a partner in a EU-funded project entitled Bridge 47. The overall objective of the project is to mobilise global civil society to contribute effectively to global justice and eradication of poverty through global citizenship.

IDEA is leading on the Partnership strand of the project and our work focuses on three types of partnerships that can extend awareness and understanding of Global Citizenship Education practice and impact, while demonstrating the role of partnerships in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. These are:

IDEA is currently recruiting a Partnerships Coordinator to ensure delivery of the Partnerships Programme.

Deadline for application is 5.00pm, Tuesday, 17 December 2019.

Full job description is available here.

Launch Of Code Of Good Practice For Development Education & Training For IDEA Members

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 03/12/2019 End Date: 03/12/2019

Event Location: Davenport Hotel, 8-10 Merrion Street Lower, Dublin 2

The launch of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland will take place on Tuesday, 03 December, 9.30am, in the the Davenport Hotel, 8-10 Merrion Street Lower, Dublin 2. The official public launch will be followed immediately by a training session for IDEA members who wish to learn more about implementing the Code in 2020.

The Code itself is available to members of IDEA via the members' area of our website here or by contacting us directly.

To register for the launch and/or the training session please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie .

Political Leadership for Sustainable Development Training

Sat, 23 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 23/11/2019 End Date: 23/11/2019

Event Location: Hilton Dublin, Charlemont Pl, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin, D02 A893

Free training for women Councillors in Ireland

Due to the popularity of our last training, IDEA provide the training on Political Leadership for Sustainable Development for women Councillors again in partnerships with Women for Election , Saturday 23 November, 9.30am-4.00pm.

Testimonials from the last training:

“Overall excellent, not a wasted minute. The training is the right amout of ‘theory’ and practice.”

“I learned far more than expected. Mixing with other Local Authority elected members was of great benefit. Excellent, worthwhile training.”

“I learned so much about the 17 goals and how I might implement them locally.”

The job of Councillors is getting more complex each year. With rising concerns about the impact of climate change, tackling inequality and making sure constituents have access to housing, health and education services, there’s a lot to balance. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals can help by providing a framework for Councillors to support decision making based on 17 Sustainable Development Goals that aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

This free one-day training will take women Councillors through the Sustainable Development Goals and show them how to use the Goals to evaluate problems and implement solutions for more sustainable development planning in their constituency.

Sign up now.

A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Ji at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org.

Special guests announcement! Launch of Code of Good Practice for Development Education

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 14:52:00 GMT

We are very pleased to share an update with you for the launch of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland .

The event will take place on Tuesday 3 December at 9.30am. The official public launch will be followed immediately by a training session for IDEA members who wish to learn more about implementing the Code in 2020.

We are delighted to announce that the following special guests will join us for the launch and share their perspectives on the relevance and importance of quality Development Education.

The venue is the Davenport Hotel, Dublin 2.

The Code itself is available to members of IDEA via the members' area of our website here or by contacting us. Supporting materials and documents are currently being developed.

Registration is now open – please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie to register for the launch and/or the training session or with any questions related to the Code.

Conversation Circle: System Change, not Climate Change

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 19/11/2019 End Date: 19/11/2019

Event Location: Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick

IDEA is co-hosting a seminar with the Development & Intercultural Education (DICE) Project on “System Change, not Climate Change”, Tuesday, 19 November, 1.00-2.00pm in Room 310, Foundation Building, Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick.

The guest speaker is Dr. Peadar Kirby, Professor Emeritus of International Politics and Public Policy at the University of Limerick.

A light lunch will be provided.

To register contact Brighid.Golden@mic.ul.ie

‘Has Your Auntie Got the T-shirt?’ – Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 16:16:00 GMT

What does history have to say about the present? What can we learn from how we engaged with global justice and human rights issues in the past to strengthen our activism and impact TODAY? Do you remember:

… striking against Apartheid in South Africa?

…drafting a joint letter from students to supermarkets in support of coffee producers in Central America

…forming a local group to discuss climate justice and what county councils can do

developmenteducation.ie and the Irish Development Education Association present ‘Has Your Auntie Got the T-shirt?’: Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects – a history of Irish education and action on international issues and campaigns.

Showcasing the strong heritage of global citizenship in Ireland, it uncovers the many contributions, stories and campaigns, expressed through artefacts and visual arts that bring these histories to life.

Gathered through an open call, the objects provide snapshots of Irish engagement with global cultural, political and social issues over the past 5 decades. They, highlight the range of action taken by people and organisations in Ireland to tackle global justice issues, making this a unique opportunity to explore and learn from the past.

Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects will include an exhibition in January 2020, a programme of workshops and public events and a digital storytelling portal.

If you have something you would like to contribute please contact ciara@developmenteducation.ie before 30 November.

Call For Tender – IDEA Member Profile Research

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 09:35:00 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is seeking a consultant to compile profiles of IDEA members. The consultant will create profiles of our members, based on existing information and research, for our new website and for use in other IDEA work.

Deadline for tender submissions is midday, Monday, 18 November.

All information and specifications are available in the Terms of Reference .

If you have any questions, or need further information, please contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Call for Tender: Website Design and Rebrand

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 15:01:00 GMT

IDEA is seeking a design partner to develop a new organisational website and carry out a rebrand for the organisation.

The design partner will be required to design and construct a new website for IDEA, and develop a new logo and visual identity, along with a visual identity guide, for the organisation.

Deadline for tender submissions is midday, Monday, 18 November . All information and specifications are available in the Terms of Reference .

If you have any questions, or need further information, please contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Bridge 47: Cross-sector Building Bridges Forum on the SDGs

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 10:45:00 GMT

Civil Society Organisations working on Global Citizenship Education (also known as Development Education) came together with responsible businesses to find ways to collaborate to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a unique All-Ireland networking forum on 26 September.

The Building Bridges: Cross-sector Partnerships for the SDGs networking forum is the first event of its kind on the island of Ireland bringing together the third sector and the private sector to address the SDGs. It was run as part of a partnership between the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) and Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI) via Bridge 47 – an EU project that seeks to build global citizenship in pursuit of the SDGs. More than 70 participants from both sectors took part in the event at Allstate Northern Ireland.

IDEA and BITCNI hosted the forum with the aim to bring their member organisations together and foster dialogue between them as part of their wider efforts to encourage collaboration between the Global Citizenship Education sector and the business sector to work towards the achievement of the SDGs.

The private sector participants, primarily from BITCNI membership, ranged from Small and Medium Enterprises to large multinational companies in the fields of construction, IT, insurance, financial services, communications, banking and agriculture. They included Diageo, ASDA, Lidl, Deloitte, Bank of Ireland and Moy Park.

Among civil society and education practitioners, made up primarily of IDEA’s members, participants included Concern Worldwide, WorldWise Global Schools, Green-schools, Children in Crossfire, Global Action Plan, Trócaire, the Centre for Global Education and Proudly Made in Africa whose CEO, Vikki Brennan, acted as master of ceremonies for the day.

Frank Geary, Director of IDEA, told participants that the SDGs “apply equally to every country, and can only be achieved if all sectors of society including Government, Civil Society, businesses, and local communities draw on each other’s strengths and work together towards achieving them.” He emphasized that “Development Education has a fundamental role to play in the success of the SDGs, as it raises awareness, facilitates participation and supports engagement with the Goals.”

Gillian McKee, Deputy Managing Director of BITCNI, stated that the Goals provide “a valuable opportunity for businesses to engage in helping to find solutions to the world’s biggest sustainable development challenges. They offer a framework for companies to shape and communicate their sustainability strategies. And they matter to your customers and stakeholders. Business has a vital role to play and can bring valuable resources, skills and expertise to support the attainment of the Goals. Partnerships are absolutely key to this. Many of the sustainability issues that businesses are tackling are too big to tackle alone and require the skills and knowledge that the NGO sector and government can bring. We need to create deeper cooperation than has existed previously in order to tackle the monumental issues we face.”

During a panel discussion on cross-sector partnership examples, panellists from Lidl, FoodCloud, Proudly Made in Africa and Deloitte provided insights on how their partnerships came into existence and the benefits that they are gaining from collaborating with one another.

Participants also took part in parallel workshops facilitated by IDEA members. These workshops provided a deep dive into some of the individual Goals such as Climate Change (Goal 13), Quality Education (Goal 4) and Gender Equality (Goal 5). They provided an opportunity for both sectors to look at possible solutions together.

As the day concluded, in her closing remarks, Vikki Brennan encouraged participants to “Say yes! If someone reaches out to you to start any of these initiatives. It’s never too late to start a partnership, let alone your sustainability journey.”

The response from participants was very positive with one representative from RPS saying, “Thanks so much for facilitating such an insightful and informative event. I learnt a lot to take back into the company, but much broader than that I developed contacts which was the aim of the event and there were many stories and personal experiences which will remain with me and help me to have a personal interest in focusing on the SDGs as well as corporate awareness.”

For more information on this event or Bridge 47’s activities in Ireland, please contact Ji Hyun Kim, National Officer at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org .

Bridge 47: Cross-sector Building Bridges Forum on the SDGs

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 10:34:00 GMT

For more information on this event or Bridge 47’s activities in Ireland, please contact Ji Hyun Kim, National Officer at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org .

Irish Aid Development Education Grants 2020 Application Clinic

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 30/10/2019 End Date: 01/01/1970

Event Location: Online via webinar

This online webinar is open to all IDEA members wishing to leanr more about the application process for the 2020 Irish Aid Development Education Grants Call (which is now open ). The webinar will be facilitated by IDEA staff, Elaine Mahon and Frank Geary, and will bring participants step-by-step through the application form for the Irish Aid Annual Call for Development Education Grants. We will provide guidance on how to complete each section of the application form as well as responding to questions that participants in the webinar have.

The webinar runs from 11am – 12.30pm, online via webinar, on Wednesday 30 October.

To register, contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

Webinar on Bridge 47 Grant Application Process

Tue, 29 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 29/10/2019 End Date: 29/10/2019

Event Location: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/78b4979b6ef9bc8834538d7d4481ef37

Bridge 47 has opened a sub-granting call for innovative Global Citizenship Education project proposals. Full details can be found here .

The Bridge 47 Grant Call Coordination Team will lead a webinar on:

This webinar will take place on 29th October, 14:00-15:00 CET.

You can register for the webinar here .

Annual Conference

Thu, 24 Oct 2019 10:51:10 GMT

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Toolkit on Results Frameworks updated for the 2020 Irish Aid DE Grants Round

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 14:39:00 GMT

Our 'Results-based Approaches in Development Education: A practical toolkit' has been updated for the 2020 Irish Aid Development Education Grants Round.

This toolkit, developed by IDEA, aims to help practitioners through the development of Results Frameworks for Development Education projects. It takes you step by step through the process of building an effective results table to reach the desired change within the timeframe of your project. While created to reflect Irish Aid’s Results Framework for Development Education Grants rounds, the approach outlined in the tool can be applied to many other Development Education settings.

Download the latest version of the toolkit for the 2020 Irish Aid Grants Round here .

Workshop on Results Frameworks for Development Education

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 22/10/2019 End Date: 01/01/1970

Event Location: IDEA, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

This workshop focuses on how to complete the Results Framework section of the Irish Aid Annual Grants call (which is now open ). The training focuses on content from the IDEA toolkit on Results Frameworks for Development Education and aims to help practitioners through the development of Results Frameworks for Development Education projects. It takes you step by step through the process of building an effective results table to reach the desired change within the timeframe of your project. While created to reflect Irish Aid’s Results Framework for Development Education Grants rounds, the approach outlined in the tool can be applied to many other Development Education settings. We address common issues and challenges with results-based frameworks. This year multi-annual funding has been reintroduced to the Irish Aid annual Call and we will explore the new timeframe of 1 or 2 year projects when developing your Results Framework. The workshop will be factilitated by Susan Gallwey, and run from 10am – 1pm in IDEA, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

To register, contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

Bridge 47: Sub-granting Call for Project Proposals on Global Citizenship Education

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 14:39:00 GMT

Are you working in the area of Global Citizenship Education or educational innovations? Do you think that education can change the world around you for the better? If your answer is yes, Bridge 47 welcomes you to participate in a call for innovative educational projects.

We believe education can help us reverse negative global trends. This call for proposals invites innovative and/or experimental projects that help us build our understanding of how to facilitate transformative change through Global Citizenship Education.

The maximum project budget should not exceed €7,000 with a maximum project grant of €6,650 (5 % co-financing is requested from project applicant). Successful applicants will be invited to a two-day design thinking workshop in May or June 2020 to showcase their educational innovations.

Please submit your application through email to subgranting@bridge47.org . Deadline for application is 18th November 2019 (before midnight Brussels, Berlin, Vienna time).

Eligible entities are active non-profit organizations established in one of the following countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland (Including Northern Ireland), Latvia, Scotland, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

A Webinar on the grant application process, led by the Bridge 47 Grant Call Coordination Team, will take place 29th October, 14:00-15:00 CET . You can register here .

You can find the following information here .

For more information, please contact:

Ji Hyun Kim, Bridge 47 National Officer in Ireland, ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org

Jakub Žaludko, Grant Call Coordinator, jakub.zaludko@bridge47.org

Marjan Huč, Grant Call Coordinator, marjan.huc@bridge47.org

Political Leadership for Sustainable Development Training

Sat, 19 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 18/10/2019 End Date: 18/10/2019

Event Location: Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre (28-32 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1)

Free training for women Councillors in Ireland

IDEA, as part of Bridge 47, has teamed up with Women for Election to provide a free training for women Councillors on political leadership for sustainable development, Saturday 19 October, 9.30am-4.00pm.

Register here.

A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Ji at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org.

Sustainable Communities Workshop

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 07/10/2019 End Date: 07/10/2019

Event Location: IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

Join IDEA and the Wheel for this practical workshop on how you can integrate the concepts of Sustainable Communities into your Development Education or community development work. We see sustainable communities as being socially resilient, economically thriving and environmentally healthy. Whether you work as part of a group or are an individual practitioner, you will hear inspirational stories from local sustainable community initiatives and gain practical tools to enhance your practice.

Learn about The Wheel’s online sustainable communities toolkit, as highlighted in the Government’s Climate Action Plan, and the Spark Change project that showcases the contribution local communities are making to achieve the SDGs. The workshop will be facilitated by Johnny Sheehan, The Wheel and run from 10am – 1pm in IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row. To register please contact: elaine@ideaonline.ie and inform us of any dietary requirements.

This training will be free of charge.

Irish Aid 2020 Development Education Grants

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 09:48:00 GMT

Irish Aid have opened their Development Education Grants 2020 Call for Proposals. Details are available on their website as of 3 October 2019:

https://www.irishaid.ie/what-we-do/who-we-work-with/civil-society/development-education-funding/

The full information is available in the guidelines, and in particular we draw your attention to the following:

We will be offering support to members, as always, during the grant call, as set out in our Calendar of Events :

Both events are free of charge for IDEA members but registration is essential.

Please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie with any questions about these events , or support during the Call application process.

IDEA & Comhlámh: Civil Disobedience and Social Change

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 01/10/2019 End Date: 01/10/2019

Event Location: Teacher’s Club, Parnell Square, Dublin 1

IDEA, in collaboration with Comhlámh, will be hosting a discussion on Civil Disobedience and Social Change, 02 October, 7.00pm, Teacher's Club, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.

This will be moderated by Dr. Eilish Dillon, Department of International Development, Maynooth University, and speakers will include Dr. Ciarán O’Carroll, Extinction Rebellion Ireland, Aisling Hederman, Apollo House/Dubin Housing Action, and Jerrieann Sullivan, Shell to Sea.

To register, contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

Building Bridges: Cross-sector Partnerships for the SDGs

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 25/09/2019 End Date: 25/09/2019

Event Location: AllState Northern Ireland, 10 Mays Meadow, Belfast, BT1 3PH, United Kingdom

Building Bridges is a unique All-Ireland networking forum, bringing civil society organisations working on Development Education together with responsible businesses to find ways to collaborate to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs are a global commitment to combat the world’s biggest challenges such as poverty, inequality and the climate crisis to create a more just, inclusive and sustainable world by 2030. Given their scale and ambition, realising these Goals requires all players (governments, civil society, academia, and the business sector) to champion this agenda and work together in partnership.

We need to step out of our comfort zones and create new models of meaningful partnership across sectors. In order to provide a networking opportunity that fosters dialogues and explore collaboration to address the SDGs between the Development Education sector and the business sector, IDEA is hosting the forum in partnership with Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI) via Bridge 47 – an EU project that seeks to build global citizenship in pursuit of the SDGs.

Participants will:

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN: https://bit.ly/2KfYp6e .

This event is primarily for members of IDEA and BITC. However, if you are not a member of either and would like to attend, please contact ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org.

IDEA is seeking a Graphic Designer

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 14:51:00 GMT

IDEA is seeking a Graphic Designer to work with us on our Code of Good Practice for Development Education and supporting documents.

The graphic designer will be required to design a logo and other supporting documents for print and online use.

Deadline for tender submissions is 11 October. All information is available in the Terms of Reference.

If you have any questions, or need further information, please contact: elaine@ideaonline.ie

IDEA’s Pre-Budget 2020 Submission

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 10:54:00 GMT

With Budget day approaching, IDEA has developed it's Pre-Budget 2020 Submission, in consultation with members.

The submission calls on the Government to increase Development Education funding to 1% of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in Budget 2020, with a clear commitment to phased annual increases to reach the target of 3% of ODA within an agreed timeframe.

In our submission, we also support the call by Dóchas for Ireland to fulfil its promise to reach the UN target of spending 0.7% of Gross National Income of Official Development Assistance by 2025.

IDEA also joins with our colleagues across civil society to call for the inclusion of a specific line in Budget 2020 with dedicated resources for Ireland’s national implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The full IDEA Pre-Budget 2020 Submission can be accessed here

Summer Series: ‘Supporting Student Striking – the role of Development Education’

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 03/09/2019 End Date: 03/09/2019

Event Location: IDEA office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

This training workshop is aimed at Development Education practitioners interested in exploring their practice in relation to student strikes for climate change. At the 2019 IDEA Annual Conference there was a significant focus on young people striking and ‘Fridays for Future’. Many DE practitioners go into school/youth settings to deliver DE and may provide advice to teachers/youth workers about supporting young people in their activism. WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) and IDEA have come together to create space for DE practitioners to explore this context of young people who are extremely engaged on the issue of climate change and the urgency around it. This workshop will include: exploring opportunities within school structures/curricula to strengthen the student movement; exploring the ‘art of change’ where activists meet political processes; developing ideas to support young people who experience frustration and/or anxiety and want to sustain the energy needed for activism involved; and bringing complementary learning about global justice issues to the activism agenda. The workshop will be facilitated by Dermot O’Brien and run from 10am – 4pm in IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row. To register please contact: elaine@ideaonline.ie and inform us of any dietary requirements.

Training fee (including lunch):

IDEA Calendar of Events: Autumn/Winter 2019

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 15:38:00 GMT

Calendar of IDEA's Events and Trainings in 2019

Summer Series: Hot topics on the doorstep

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 15/07/2019 End Date: 15/07/2019

Event Location: IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

As part of our Summer Series, we are hosting a Conversation Circle on Hot Topics on the Doorstep, Tuesday 16 July 12.30 – 2pm, in the IDEA Office. This will be led by candidates in the recent local and European elections including Alan Hayes, Eilis Ryan, and Sandra Fay.

They will be sharing what they heard ‘on the doorstep,’ particularly in relation to issues such as social justice, sustainable development, climate change. This will be an opportunity to discuss and reflect on public consciousness and awareness of global and social justice issues, and identify possible opportunities at local authority (and European) level to bring global and social justice issues onto the agenda.

Lunch will be provided.

To register, contact eimear@ideaonline.ie

Summer Series: Design Thinking for Solving Global Challenges – FULLY BOOKED!

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 25/06/2019 End Date: 26/06/2019

Event Location: Temple Bar Gallery + Studios,
5-9 Temple Bar,
Dublin 2

IDEA is running a two-day train-the-trainer workshop on Design Thinking for Solving Global Challenges, 26-27 June, in Temple Bar Gallery + Studios, 5-9 Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Each day will run from 9am-5:30pm.

The aim of this training workshop is to empower Development Education/Global Citizenship Education practitioners to use ‘Design Thinking’ in their work. Design Thinking is a mindset and human-centred approach to develop and deliver innovative ideas, change and solutions to complicated problems. It is an activity-based process with a strong emphasis on teamwork and co-creation. There is a growing interest in Design Thinking as a new and innovative approach to understand and address global challenges. If you want to see how Design Thinking can impact the world of education, please click here .

The workshop will be facilitated by two Design Thinking experts from Design Thinkers Academy Amsterdam (Global Head Office) . It is the one of the leading ‘design-driven’ innovation agencies, represented in 25 countries and train, develop and facilitate multidisciplinary teams and communities to drive positive change. They have worked with varied clients, including companies, governments and NGOs.

Day 1 will focus on an introduction to Design Thinking. Participants will learn about the principles and mindsets that underpin Design Thinking such as learning-by-doing, empathy and co-creation. They will also experience the Design Thinking process by working on a hands-on challenge and using various Design Thinking tools and methods.

Day 2 will focus on the use of Design Thinking in facilitation. Participants will be asked to co-create and facilitate a Design Thinking workshop. This will give them immediate experience of implementing Design Thinking and also an opportunity to reflect how Design Thinking can be used in their own work. The workshop co-created by participants will become part of the forum IDEA is organising this September, in partnership with Business in the Community Northern Ireland, to bring business leaders together with civil society groups to explore solutions to global challenges and discuss cross-sector partnership opportunities. More details about the forum to follow soon.

Cost: €100 for members of IDEA and €200 for non-members. A general 2-day Design Thinking course usually costs over €1,500 per person. So, don’t miss out this great opportunity! The fee includes participation in both days of the training workshop, lunch as well as Design Thinking templates and tools to take away for each participant. A certificate of attendance will also be handed out after the workshop.

The workshop will be limited to 20 people only, so that maximum interaction is possible. Therefore, we will prioritise IDEA members, especially for those who are active in Development Education/Global Citizenship Education facilitation work.

To register, or find out more, please contact Ji at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org by 18 June.

Summer Series: How to Podcast & Tell Audio Stories

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 16/06/2019 End Date: 16/06/2019

Event Location: Windmill Lane Recording Studios,
20 Ringsend Road,
Dublin 4

As part of our summer series, IDEA is running a workshop on How to Podcast & Tell Audio Stories, Monday, 17 June, 10.00am – 4.30pm, Windmill Lane Recording Studios, 20 Ringsend Road, Dublin 4.

In this one day workshop, award winning content makers Helen Shaw and John Howard, of Athena Media, will take you through a podcasting 101 session on what you need to set up a podcast. They will help you understand how to find and tell audio stories, how to record, and how to use simple edit tools, as well as how to release your stories online in an easy and cost effective manner.

You will cover:

At the end of the one day workshop session you should have a clear understanding of podcasting and the basic tools and techniques needed to create one.

This workshop is open to IDEA members only .

Cost is €30 (€50 for 2 people from the same organisation) and €10 for unwaged or student members. Lunch is included.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis.

Please Note Address: venue is NOT on Windmill Lane but at 20 Ringsend Road.

To register please contact morina@ideaonline.ie .

IDEA AGM & Conference 2019

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 05/06/2019 End Date: 05/06/2019

Event Location: DCU All Hallows Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin 9

The IDEA AGM and Conference 2019 will take place Thursday, 06 June, in DCU All Hallows Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. This year will mark 15 years of IDEA and the theme is ‘Stories of Change: creating active global citizens.'

Our keynote speaker is Oisín Coghlan, Friends of the Earth Ireland, who will be exploring the story around Climate Change and the Climate Strikes. He will be looking at how the story of the climate strikes has evolved and is evolving, what impact they are having and the role for Development Education in this movement.*

Our adventures in Development Education panel will have speakers sharing the stories behind the innovative approaches they are taking in relation to Development Education to further the impact of their work and the sector.

Our workshops will be looking at creative ways to capture and record impact in your monitoring and evaluation, how to communicate the stories of impact your work is having to other audiences, and how to support and create impact through campaigning and activism.

This year’s conference will also mark the launch of the Irish Global Solidarity In 100 Objects Project with developmenteducation.ie. Further information on the project and how to be part of it is available here .

*Bastian Berbner, Journalist with Die Zeit Newspaper, who was originally billed as our keynote will be unable to join us on the day unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Admission:

If you've any questions regarding the AGM or the Conference please contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Register Below!

Bridge 47: Make the SDGs your Business

Thu, 30 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 29/05/2019 End Date: 29/05/2019

Event Location: Glencar Suite, Mount Errigal Hotel, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

Change Makers and IDEA, as part of Bridge 47, are inviting businesses in or around Donegal to join us for an interactive workshop on how the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can help you strengthen your business. We will also be looking at how your business can help deliver the SDGs and contribute to the local communities your business relies on.

During this 2.5-hour workshop, you will:

It will run from 10:30-13:00, followed by networking lunch at 13:00-14:00 – Refreshments and lunch with be provided.

Register here

IDEA members who would like to come along, with a view to holding similar events in the future, please contact Ji at ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org

Workshop: Putting Sustainable Communities at the heart of Development Education

Tue, 28 May 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 27/05/2019 End Date: 27/05/2019

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN POSTPONED

This workshop will explore the idea of sustainable communities in the context of a Development Education group or practitioner working at a global level and a local level. It will provide an opportunity to learn about what other community groups are doing in this area and focus on practical ways you can integrate the idea of Sustainable Communities into your Development Education work. It will also examine this in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop will be facilitated by Johnny Sheehan, The Wheel, and will run from 10.00am – 1.00pm, Tuesday, 28 May, in the IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

To register, contact: morina@ideaonline.ie

Bridge 47: Communications Intern

Fri, 24 May 2019 15:09:00 GMT

Deadline for application is Friday, 07 June.

Full job description is available here .

Consultant: Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland

Tue, 21 May 2019 11:32:00 GMT

IDEA is hiring a consultant to roll out the next phase of our work around a Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland.

Following the development of a draft ‘Code of Good Practice for Development Education’ in Ireland in 2017 by a group of 13 IDEA members, the Code’s Core Principles and Indicators were piloted by a group of 6 IDEA members in 2018.

IDEA now requires a consultant to move the work around the Code from the pilot phase to using the Code within the IDEA membership. This will involve introducing and promoting the Code within the wider IDEA membership, and developing mechanisms to support the implementation and review processes of the Code.

Deadline for applications is midday, Friday, 14 June.

Read the full TOR here .

Project: Irish Global Solidarity in 100 Objects

Wed, 08 May 2019 10:57:00 GMT

‘Has your auntie got the t-shirt?’

Tackling Apartheid…dropping debt repayments in developing countries…the first Fairtrade item you bought, the poster that grabbed you, demonstrating in support of aid…forming a local group to discuss nuclear disarmament…

What has the past got to say about the present? What can we learn from past struggles for global justice and human rights for activism NOW?

Throughout 2019, developmenteducation.ie and IDEA are launching a project to gather 100 objects relating to previous global solidarity and Development Education campaigns or actions.

This call invites individuals, groups and organisations to be part of building a digital storytelling project involving the Development Education community directly and people involved in Global Citizenship Education projects.

Part archival and part heritage project, this seeks to uncover the many stories, experiences and campaigns expressed through personal collections of objects, visual arts and artefacts (posters, documents, keep-sakes etc.) that bring these histories to life.

The aim is to showcase examples of people-led activism on global issues and campaigns as experienced from Ireland.

The roadmap for the project is still evolving, but it will involve public exhibitions, and include a digital storytelling approach (via short video recording of testimonies). This will be curated by developmenteducation.ie (and, in time others) and launched at the IDEA Annual Conference in June 2019 .

You are invited to share / loan collectables from the story of Development Education activism to date – we need your input to paint the bigger picture.

Note: the first 15 objects will be on display at the 2019 IDEA Annual Conference to mark our 15th anniversary. To be part of this, please contact Tony Daly before 24 May.

So, dust off that campaign badge or poster, wash that old tee-shirt and take this opportunity to share your stories of impact and change!

Workshop: Bringing your Monitoring and Evaluation to Life

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 10/04/2019 End Date: 10/04/2019

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

IDEA is hosting a workshop, Bringing your Monitoring and Evaluation to Life, Thursday, 11 April, 10.00am, – 1.00pm. This will be led by Susan Gallwey and will focus on building evidence and tailoring your M&E to your own programme of Development Education work.

As well as looking at the basic requirements for demonstrating and reporting on progress, it will provide a space for developing creative and innovative evidence which fits your own Results Framework.

This workshop will be of particular relevance to any IDEA members working in the Adult and Community Education Sector.

If you are interested in participating, please register by Thursday 04 April by emailing morina@ideaonline.ie .

Webinar: Adult and Community Education Strategic Partnership Funding

Fri, 05 Apr 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 04/04/2019 End Date: 04/04/2019

Event Location: Online

IDEA is hosting a webinar for members on the Adult and Community Education Strategic Partnership Funding: Friday, 05 April, 10.30am – 11.30am

This Webinar will provide a space to discuss Irish Aid’s call for the Adult and Community Education Strategic Partnership Fund. It will be of interest for those of you thinking of applying or any members working in the sector who are interested in finding out more about the fund generally.

This Webinar will include two IDEA member organisations who have been through a similar partnership application process and who will be sharing their experience.

If you are interested in taking part, please register by Wednesday, 03 April by emailing morina@ideaonline.ie .

Job Opportunity: Policy & Advocacy Officer

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:34:00 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is recruiting a Policy and Advocacy Officer, to coordinate IDEA’s advocacy for Development Education in Ireland and internationally. This is a varied role requiring good organisation and multi-tasking skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills and advocacy experience.

This role is part-time: 4 days a week.

To apply, a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) and CVs should be sent by email to: recruitment@ideaonline.ie with the job title in the subject line.

Deadline for application is 5.00pm, Tuesday, 02 April.

Full job description is available here .

Bridge 47: Tackling the Root Causes of Global Crises through Education

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Are you interested in making your educational work more transformative, empowering and emancipatory? Join Bridge 47 on a transformative learning journey with the aim of tackling the root causes of global crises through education.

‘Tackling the Root Causes of Global Crises through Education – A Transformative Learning Journey’ is now open for applications. The journey is tailored for staff members of civil society organisations engaged in the field of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) as well as change-makers and activists who work with education as a tool to facilitate transformative change.

The journey invites participants to reflect upon their own educational practices and underpinning theories of change and expand them by learning from each other. After having completed this journey, we envision that the participants and their organisations have an increased ability to use transformative approaches to GCE and become leaders of systemic change in their organisations, networks and social contexts.

The journey consists of three workshops and webinars, as well as online mentoring, individual research, and an action experiment. It will start in October 2019 and conclude in June 2020.

Deadline for application is 07 April 2019.

Find out more here .

IDEA Strategy 2019-2023 Members’ Meeting

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 06/03/2019 End Date: 06/03/2019

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

We are currently developing the IDEA Strategy 2019-2023 and as part of this process we are reaching out to all our members to gather their input.

To facilitate this we will be hosting a meeting for members on the IDEA Strategy on Wednesday, 06 March, registration from 9.30am and meeting from 10.00am – 5.00pm. Lunch will be included.

This will be facilitated by Caplor Horizons , who have worked with a variety of organisations globally on the development of their strategies. Their approach is engaging, experiential and creative, aimed at establishing an open, inclusive and fun approach to developing strategy. They also focus on embedding learning and development opportunities through-out the process.

This is an important opportunity for IDEA members to have their say in shaping the work of IDEA over the next 5 years.

To register email: communications@ideaonline.ie

Bridge 47: Call for Tender to Develop Training Course

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:51:00 GMT

The Bridge 47 Project, which includes IDEA as a partner, is recruiting a consultant or organisation to develop a template one-day Global Citizenship Education training course for election candidates on ‘Political Leadership for Sustainable Development’. This will be delivered in partnership with a non-partisan organisation that trains women in Ireland to run for election.

The training course aims to inspire, support and equip women, not only as stronger election candidates who are ready to participate in the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) when elected, but also as leaders for sustainable development who can lead Ireland to fulfil a leadership role in implementing the SDGs at home and abroad. Once developed, this template course will be adopted and delivered by IDEA members.

The deadline for application is 5.00pm, Wednesday, 20 March .

You can download the full job description here .

Bridge 47: Sub-granting Call for Proposals

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 14:16:00 GMT

Share your innovations!

We believe education can help us reverse negative global trends. In the current call for proposals we are looking for small scale (regional, local, community) innovative projects which put Global Citizenship Education and other types of value-based education in practice.

The maximum project budget should not exceed €5,000 with a maximum project grant of €4,750 (5 % co-financing requested from project applicant). Successful applicants will be invited to a two-day design thinking workshop in March 2019 to showcase their educational innovations.

The deadline for submitting project proposals is 24 January 2019.

Eligible entities are active non-profit organizations established in one of the following countries: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Scotland, Slovakia, Slovenia.

The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is leading on the Partnerships strand of Bridge 47.

More information

For further information, please contact:

This sub-granting call is part of Bridge 47 – Building Global Citizenship, an EU-funded project implemented by Finnish Development NGOs Fingo and 15 European and global partners. The project mobilises and empowers global civil society to contribute to a transformation towards global justice and eradication of poverty through Global Citizenship Education (GCE). Learn more about Bridge 47 here .

Bridge 47: Partnerships Webinar

Wed, 05 Dec 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 05/12/2018 End Date: 05/12/2018

Event Location: Online

The Bridge 47 Partnerships Team will lead a webinar on the gains they are making in developing partnerships and the lessons they are learning on how to develop GCE partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders. This includes private sector, parliamentarians, government entities, academia and more. There will also be a discussion on how the Bridge 47 Network and its members can engage in the partnerships work. The webinar will take place 05 December, 13.00-14.00 (GMT).

If you have a lesson from working in partnerships that you would like to share, please contact our Partnerships Coordinator Maeve Galvin: maeve.galvin@bridge47.org

Deadline to register is 28 November. Sign-up here .

Bridge 47 mobilises global civil society to contribute to global justice and eradication of poverty through Global Citizenship Education. The project is created by 15 European and global civil society organisations, and it is funded by the European Union.

LYCS: Facilitating Global Citizenship Education in the Community

Wed, 28 Nov 2018 11:05:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services (LYCS) is seeking expressions of interest for their course on Facilitating Global Citizenship Education in the Community – A 5 Day Training for Trainers Programme. It will take place 19 & 26 February, and 12,19 & 26 March 2019.

LYCS has been facilitating Development Education learning in the Community Sector for 25 years. They believe that the ability to dialogue together in groups is crucial to creating a more equal and sustainable world.

This course will help you understand more about how groups work and feel more confident about facilitating learning in groups. You will explore group development and dynamics, the role of the facilitator, skills in inquiry, experiential learning, working with emotion, learning styles, dealing with difficulties and conflict, planning, promoting and delivering learning events.

To register your interest contact Helena Mc Neill: deved@lycs.ie

Conversation Series: How we can make our Development Education more relevant in today’s world

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 20/11/2018 End Date: 20/11/2018

Event Location: ILAS
Dangan
Upper Newcastle Road
National University of Ireland Galway,
Galway City.

Our final Conversation Circle for this year will be led by Dr Eilish Dillon and will explore How we can make our Development Education more relevant in today’s world.

Eilish lectures on a number of courses on the BA in International Development programme in Maynooth University, and has facilitated courses on development and human rights in countries such as Albania, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Cyprus, Tanzania Russia and South Africa. She has been involved in Development Education and activism on international development issues in Ireland for over 20 years.

This event will take place Tuesday, 20 November, 2.30-4.30pm, in The Institute for Lifecourse and Society (ILAS), NUI Galway.

To register contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie

WWGS: Transformative Global Citizenship Education

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 10:12:00 GMT

WorldWise Global Schools and Irish Aid are hosting a workshop on ‘Transformative Global Citizenship Education’ with Phillip Bamber, Associate Professor at Liverpool Hope University and an expert in transformative Global Citizenship Education. This will take place Thursday, 15 November, 2.30-4.30pm, Iveagh House, St Stephen’s Green.

Phillip will take participants through a journey of his research outlining the importance of Global Citizenship Education in the Education sector today. There will be a Q & A session and time for discussion.

Philip is also the Associate Director of TEESNet (Teacher Education for Equity and Sustainability Network). TEESNet aim to develop a UK wide community of practice in Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship within teacher education in higher education and schools, that shares research and practice to develop new understanding across the sector in the UK and beyond.

Please RSVP by Friday, 09 November to lizzy.noone@worldwiseschools.ie or call 086 8720879.

Call For Tender: Consultant For IDEA’s Membership Centred Advocacy for 2019

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 10:54:00 GMT

IDEA is recruiting a consultant to support us with developing IDEA’s Membership Centred Advocacy for 2019. As part of reviewing and renewing IDEA’s advocacy work for 2019, IDEA will invite members to participate in a process to strengthen our advocacy agenda. The successful candidate will support IDEA and our members through this process.

The deadline for application is Wednesday 14 November 2018.

You can download the full job description here .

Workshop: Using Results-Based Approaches in Development Education Settings

Thu, 25 Oct 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 24/10/2018 End Date: 24/10/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

This practical workshop tackles the challenge of applying 'results-based thinking' to short-term Development Education projects. Using a toolkit developed by IDEA specifically for use with the Results Table in the Irish Aid Annual Grants application form, participants will work step-by-step through each element of the table. Ideally, participants will look at the toolkit in advance of the workshop and do some thinking on their applications in relation to it. By the end of the workshop, participants should have the skills and confidence needed to prepare an effective Results Table.

The workshop will be facilitated by Susan Gallwey, and will take place Thursday 25, October, 10:00am-1:00pm in the IDEA Office.

The toolkit has been updated specifically for the 2019 Annual Grants Round (this includes a new section on commonly made mistakes as shared by Irish Aid) and we would encourage applicants to use the toolkit ahead of the workshop so that you can come with any questions you have and get the most from the morning. Download it here .

To register for this event please contact morina@ideaonline.ie .

Call for Tender: Consultant for IDEA Strategic Plan 2019-2023

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 16:01:00 GMT

IDEA is looking for a consultant to support our work on the development of the IDEA Strategic Plan 2019-2023.

This will involve:

The deadline for application is 5.00pm, Thursday 01 November.

You can download the full job description here .

Irish Aid Annual Grants Round Mistakes

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 12:27:00 GMT

Irish Annual Grant Round Common Mistakes

Irish Aid Annual Grants Round 2019

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 09:43:00 GMT

The Call for the 2019 Irish Aid Development Education Annual Grant Round and DEAR (Development Education and Awareness Raising) Co-Funding is now open.

The key dates for this year are:

The Public Information session will take place Thursday, 11 October, 10.00am in the Conference Room, Iveagh House, 80 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. If you wish to attend, please reserve your place by email by contacting developmenteducation@dfa.ie .

Development Education funding aims to increase awareness and understanding of global development issues among the public in Ireland. Grants are allocated in the range of €10,000 to €180,000 for a period of one year.

Find out more about the funding and how to apply for it here .

Call for Tender: Consultant for Code of Good Practice in Development Education

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 09:39:00 GMT

IDEA is looking for a consultant to build on the existing work by IDEA members on a Code of Good Practice for Development Education. The purpose of the consultancy is to work with IDEA staff to finalise the Code of Good Practice in Development Education Pilot and supporting framework, based on the work of the IDEA Pilot Group.

Deadline for Application is 12.00pm, Friday 12 October.

The full terms of reference are here .

Master Class on Communicating Development Education to External Audiences

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 11/09/2018 End Date: 11/09/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 2

Join us for a Master Class with John Simmons on Communicating Development Education to External Audiences, Wednesday, 12 September, 9.30am – 4.30pm in the IDEA Office.

John is a former Director of Global Brand Consultancy Interbrand and has written many books on creative writing for business. He has led brand programmes with companies as diverse as Guinness, AIB, Marks & Spencer, Waterstones, Royal Mail, and the National Theatre. John is also a founding director of 26, a non-profit organisation aimed at spreading ideas about the joy of language and good writing, and getting the wider world to have a better appreciation of words and language in everyday use.

In this workshop, he will take you through a series of exercises designed to help you communicate what you and your organisation do in a clear, concise, engaging way. The aim is to give you the tools and confidence to communicate your work effectively to external audiences, both in your writing and when talking to others.

This workshop is particularly relevant for if you are interested in taking part in the Bridge 47 Project partnership work, or if you want to feel more confident about communicating your work to those outside of the sector.

This workshop is only open to IDEA members, and places are strictly limited. Cost is €40 .

If you would like to register please contact ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org

LYCS: Global Development Course

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 11:49:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services is running The Bigger Picture – a Global Development Course, starting 11 October. It invites you to consider how issues such as runaway inequality, poverty, climate change, hunger and conflict can be addressed and how a more equal and sustainable world can be achieved. It also involves exploring and questioning what development is, how we measure it, and what are some of the root causes of the many development challenges facing the world today.

This course offers the opportunity to complete a QQI Level 6 Minor Certificate in Global Development.

It will take place in Dublin City Centre on the following dates: October 11 and 12, October 25, November 8, November 22 and 23

To register, contact Helena Mc Neill at deved@lycs.ie or 01 8230860, or download an application form here .

Closing date for applications is 14 September.

Workshop: Getting beyond the click – tackling fake news through Dev Ed & human rights education

Wed, 29 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 28/08/2018 End Date: 28/08/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

Join us for Getting beyond the click – a workshop on tackling fake news through Development Education and Human Rights Education, Wednesday, 29 August 2018, 11.00am-1.00pm, in the IDEA Office.

The session will be led by Tony Daly, co-author of #BeyondTheClick: a toolkit for global digital citizenship, and co-ordinator of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World.

The 2-hour workshop will include:

Workshop participants will also avail of a free poster from the toolkit based on The 10 Elements of Global Digital Citizenship drawn out of the toolkit.

To register contact morina@ideaonline.ie

About the project

#BeyondTheClick was developed by 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World in collaboration with the Edmund Rice Centre for Justice and Community Education, Concern Worldwide and the Irish Development Education Association, published in 2018: https://toolkit.8020.ie

Call for Tender: External Evaluator for the Bridge 47 Project

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 12:23:00 GMT

The Bridge 47 Project, which includes IDEA as a partner, is recruiting an external Evaluator to support the monitoring and evaluation of the project using the Critical Friend methodology.

This methodological approach has been chosen to support the key actors of Bridge 47 to achieve the expected results, enable real-time learning and provide immediate feedback after an evaluation round so as to ensure the implementation of the project in the best possible way.

Deadline for application is 02 September.

Full job description is availabe here .

5 key points to think about when preparing to apply for the DEAR call.

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:45:00 GMT

The European Commission Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) call for proposals was recently launched, with a deadline for Concept Notes of September 25th. IDEA has been involved in three previous DEAR calls, as a lead partner for Challenging the Crisis, as project partner in DEEEP and Bridge 47. On the basis of this we have outlined 5 key points to think of when putting together a proposal.

Partners

The DEAR Call requires working in partnership to deliver a pan-European project. The 2018 Call requires a minimum of 3 partners and activity in at least 8 EU Member States. Unless you are part of a NGO network or group, delivering a project of this scope requires external partners. For example, in Challenging the Crisis we had 6 partner organisations in 6 different European countries, in Bridge 47, IDEA is one of 16 partners including organisations in 13 different European countries and 3 international networks. Therefore, it is necessary to choose partners that you can work well with.

Most organisations are in some way networked or connected both nationally and internationally. To identify potential partners, think about organisations you currently know or have connections with. Do any of them fit with the DEAR call? Are any of them well networked across Europe? Start with organisations you know, and that you work well with – that might be based on an organisational partnership or a personal connection that has worked well in working contexts.

Think about other organisations you can ask about possible partners. Cast your net wide and you may find a good fit with either your existing partners or with their partners. Spread the word that you are interested in the call and keep an eye out for possibilities. Based on the call for proposals and your areas of interest, research possible partners and contact them. Organisations in other countries will also be looking for partners and many would be very pleased to have an Irish partner.

Look at the call for proposals and make sure you include the specific expertise required for the project when identifying partners. For example, the 2018 DEAR call specifies: “Applicants are therefore encouraged to involve also communication experts. They could be involved as a co-applicant, an associate or as a contractor.” Lot 1 can include a private sector partner with communications expertise.

Remember, you will need to work with these partners for three years, so think about how you work and how you can support good working relationships.

Planning

The DEAR call is designed to fund large projects. Under Lot 1, the minimum budget is €7,000,000. These large projects can involve multiple elements. Make sure you have strong connections between the different aspects of your project and a clear, strong rationale shared by all aspects of your project.

A strong narrative and rationale will help you to communicate your project in the application, and will help you and your partners to deliver the project. Keeping focus on the rationale, narrative and end goals of a DEAR funded project is a challenge in delivering a large project like this, so agreeing a clear, strong narrative and rationale from the beginning will make a positive difference at all stages of your project from concept note to delivery to reporting.

As an organisation working in Development Education you can make a strong connection to the objectives of the DEAR call. Use the call for proposals and your expertise on Development Education to build a strong case for your application. Note the emphasis in the 2018 call: “proposals will prioritize working directly with citizens.”(p7) “The objectives will be reached through a combination of campaigns, awareness raising, communication and outreach activities and global learning. Global learning activities either within or outside the formal education system cannot be the main part of the actions proposed. In case formal education actions are proposed, they should be developed in complementarity with Member States’ efforts in development education.”(p6)

Be clear on how you are structuring the project. For example, a DEAR projects could involve different partners taking the lead on different aspects of the projects, or it could involve a shared programme that is delivered by local partners in each country. Together with your partners, think about the most effective structure to deliver the aims of your project. Make sure that all partners have the capacity to deliver within the agree project structure.

Build on previous projects

Look into previous DEAR projects. If you have been part of a previous DEAR project, consider how you can build on it. This may involve learning from mistakes or building on successful activities. Include references to this in your concept note.

If you haven’t been involved in a previous DEAR project, research some previous projects. Try to identify possible partners who have been part of previous projects and approach them. Try to build on themes and ideas which have been part of previous DEAR call projects. The DEAR support team on capacity4dev.eu is a good place to start, you can also look at the websites of previous projects, evaluations reports may contain some helpful ideas.

Consider how you can build on previous projects that you have done in your organisation or in partnership with others. If you are building on these include that in your applications to show that you can deliver, that you have delivered and that you have learned from your previous experiences.

Clarity and Systems

With a project this big, and potentially with multiple partners, it is essential to make sure all partners are clear about what they are doing.

Building on your rationale and narrative, as discussed above, create a clear logframe and budget. After the concept note stage these can change, but having a clear structure will help with the proposal writing and implementation. Be clear what you are trying to achieve overall, and be clear how each element of the project contributes to that.

Break down the EC requirements and make sure all partners agree to them. Start with the requirements for applications. Make sure that all partners comply with the requirements for the DEAR call. Make sure everyone has completed PADOR, that everyone complies with the EC requirements, and the specific proposal requirements. For example, the DEAR call guidelines say you can be lead partners on 1 project and co-applicant on 1 – make sure everyone complies with this. In previous years we have heard of examples where projects have been excluded because a partner applied more than once.

Following the concept note stage, be clear on the information each partner needs to provide in order to report to the EC, as well as to your external evaluator. EC DEAR funding requires a high level of detail and of evidence in financial and narrative reports. This can be complicated due to different accounting practices in different countries. Make sure you work on this closely with your lead partner, and all project partners, at the beginning of the project. A Memorandum of Understanding or other agreement between partners is essential.

Agree project co-financing in advance. If your application is successful, 90% of the project cost is covered by EC DEAR funding. Therefore, you need to be clear on where the additional 10% will come from. This will be at least €700,000 over 3 years so it requires planning and identification of sources of funding.

Flexibility

This may seem to contradict the previous points, but make sure that you are flexible in your approach. At this point you are setting out a plan (drawing a map) for the project, (and that plan map might resemble something you have drawn on the back of an envelope more than an Ordinance Survey map). When you come to the full proposal, you will need to put more detail into this plan. And then when you come to implementing the project you will need to match this plan with the reality of the terrain, terrain that may have shifted in the time it takes to move from concept note to delivery (in the case of Bridge 47 this was 18 months.). The first part of your implementation period will be focussed on translating your plan into reality, getting the systems and staffing needed in place, ironing out questions that arise in the process of translating concept into reality, and generally translating an idea into a structure that will last for three years and will deliver during that relatively short time. Do as much of this as possible in advance. Once the contract is signed the clock starts, so try to do as much of the planning and translating in advance of this so you can get the most of your three years delivery time. Being flexible will let you translate concept into reality without getting overly stuck on interpretation.

Conclusion

These are highly subjective key points based on IDEA’s experience of DEAR funded projects between 2013 and the present. We would love to hear your ideas of key points to think about. Please share them here in the comments.

About the DEAR Call 2018

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:21:00 GMT

Why? Rationale for the call:

European CSOs are well placed to inform about development challenges as well as the impact of policies and behaviours in Europe on development elsewhere. CSOs play a key role in fostering the European public’s understanding and recognition of the significance of development decisions and actions for people globally. Many also work directly on development issues in partner countries. These actors have historically been at the origin of DEAR activities in EU Member States, and remain key contributors to the evolution of DEAR policy and practice in Europe.

DEAR is an integral element of development, aligned with the 2030 Agenda and the new European Consensus on Development (the 'Consensus'). DEAR strives to critically engage citizens, including through civil society organisations and local authorities, in global debates linked to the new 2030 Agenda and the Consensus.

The new call comes as the EU is keen to maximise DEAR potential and outreach and is very much focused on actions that can reach EU citizens directly and to mobilise them. The EU feels that there is an urgent need to have fully informed citizens especially on major issues such as migration and climate change which are the two focus areas for this call.

Who:

Lead applicants for Lot 1 and Lot 2 must be non-profit entities who can demonstrate their relevant experience and commit to being directly responsible. These organisations have to be established in EU. There must be a minimum of two co-applicant organisations. This is the same for all lots. They have to be legal persons, they could be outside of member states, civil society, an association. Private Sector can now be included as co-applicants which is a new development.

Given the focus on direct outreach campaigns, applicants are encouraged to involve also communication experts if they are not highly experienced in this area, they could be involved as a co-applicant, an associate or as a contractor.

What:

The objectives will be reached through a combination of campaigns, awareness raising, communication and outreach activities and global learning. Global learning activities either within or outside the formal education system cannot be the main part of the actions proposed. In case formal education actions are proposed, they should be developed in complementarity with Member States’ efforts in development education.

The primary focus areas are 1) Migration, 2) Climate change and Environment. You can choose one of the two or combination of both. The cross cutting issues are rights based approaches, fundamental values, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Youth are the main target but audience do not need to be solely Youth. Youth is defined as 15-35 years old. Campaigns, communications and outreach are very important. Direct outreach to citizens is being heavily emphasised.

Where:

Lot 1 and Lot 2 are for any EU Member States, Lot 2 is for the EU 13 countries. The EU's newer entrants (the 13 countries which have joined since 2004—Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia). They are emphasising pan-European projects. It’s possible to have some activities outside of the EU but it should be a minor part of budget.

When:

April/May 2019 Notification of award

April/May 2019 Contract signature

Links:

About the DEAR Call 2018

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 17:16:00 GMT

Why? Rationale for the call:

Who:

What:

Where:

When:

April/May 2019 Notification of award

April/May 2019 Contract signature

Links:

IDEA Briefing Session on 2018 DEAR Call

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 31/07/2018 End Date: 31/07/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

IDEA is hosting a briefing session on the 2018 DEAR Call for members in the IDEA Office on Wednesday 01 August 12.00 – 1.00pm.

The European Commission’s Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) Call for proposals was launched on 12 July. The call is open to Development Education and Awareness raising projects that mobilise citizens, particularly young people in EU member states on migration issues and climate change.

This briefing session is an opportunity for those interested in taking part in the Call to find out key information about it, based on what has been shared by the European Commission to date. IDEA has also been successfully involved in previous DEAR Calls with the Challenging the Crisis, DEEEP and Bridge 47 projects, and we will be sharing relevant learning from these experiences.

To register please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie

Find out more about the DEAR Call 2018 here .

Irish Aid Public Consultation for White Paper on International Development

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 15:37:00 GMT

Irish Aid is in the process of developing a new White Paper on International Development. As part of this, it has launched a public consultation process that will run from now until early October.

There will be a number of opportunities to contribute to this consultation:

The four main questions for the consultation are:

You can find out more and download the consultation paper here .

IDEA has a group of members working on the IDEA submission. If you would like to get involved please contact frank@ideaonline.ie .

IDEA addresses Intergovernmental Review at the UN HLPF

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 10:04:00 GMT

On Thursday, 12 July, IDEA Director, Frank Geary, addressed the UN High-level Political Forum review of Goal 12, on behalf of the Education and Academic Stakeholder Group. Speaking at the summit in the UN Headquarters in New York, he highlighted that SDG 12.8.1 requires all UN Member States to mainstream Global Citizenship Education and Education for Sustainable Development.

The statement from the group read:

'Sustainable consumption and production requires transformative change to our societies and economies. To achieve this, we need education for transformative change. We need education that enables all people to participate meaningfully, to critically engage in sustainable development, and to imagine and create new futures.

This is a central part of SDG 12. And strongly links to SDG 4, 16, 17 and all Goals. SDG 12 requires Member States to mainstream Global Citizenship Education and Education for Sustainable Development.

Not enough is being done to achieve this. It is essential that Global Citizenship Education and Education for Sustainable Development are mainstreamed across formal, non-formal and informal education. This requires clear national policies, prioritisation of education and participation in SDG National Implementation Plans, financing, and involvement of civil society, learners and educators.

We want to know how Member States will act on this, in particular if and how Member States have integrated Global Citizenship Education and Education for Sustainable Development into their SDG National Implementation?

We urge Member States to report on education in your VNRs.

Education is the golden thread that runs through all the Sustainable Development Goals.

To achieve the transformative agenda of the Goals, we must prioritise education.'

About the HLPF

The UN High-level Political Forum (HLPF) plays a key role in the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the global level. It takes place annually and features inputs from national governments, intergovernmental bodies, relevant UN agencies, civil society and other stakeholders. The summit includes intergovernmental meetings along with side events for civil society organisations. CSO’s also have the opportunity to input into the intergovernmental meetings and outline what steps they feel governments need to take to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

DEAR Call 2018

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT

The Dear Call 2018 has been launched. The reference for the call is: 160048 – Raising public awareness of development issues and promoting development education in European Union (DEAR).

You can find full details using the reference here: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?ADSSChck=1531392551869&do=publi.welcome

An information session took place in Brussels, on Thursday, 12 July, and you can view our report with key points from that here .

A recording of the live streaming of the launch can be found here . The PowerPoint Presentation used at the launch is available here .

IDEA held an information session about the DEAR Call on 01 August. You can get an overview of the DEAR Call 2018 along with key dates here . You can view the PowerPoint presentation here and top tips from IDEA based on previous experience here .

The deadline for submission of Concept Notes is the 25 of September 2018.

HLPF Day One: Education is the golden thread running through implementation of all 17 SDGs

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 09:04:00 GMT

“Education can make the difference between life and death.” My experience of the 2018 UN High Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals began with these words. At an event hosted by the Education and Academia Stakeholder Group on ‘Education for Social, Economic and Environmental Sustainability’, Vernor Munoz of the Global Campaign for Education outlined the central role of education in sustainable development, and the Sustainable Development Goals. He argued that education plays a crucial role for sustainable development and citizenship. It should be integrated in all development processes. Education is needed for the changes in production and consumption patterns that have to make. Munoz concluded that the right to education is a foundation for ecology and development, and that it is essential to focus and refocus on education as a human right.

This theme was continued by Katarina Popovic of the International Council of Adult Education who said that education is the golden thread that runs through the implementation of all 17 SDGs. However, she argued, the transformative role of education is ignored and side-lined within the SDGs. Popovic stated that education in the SDGs is reduced to a focus on economic growth and dominated by the skills agenda. SDG 4.7, which contains the SDG focus on Global Citizenship Education, is crowded by poor indicators and poor implementation. It becomes a catch all for ‘everything else’. Popovic was critical of current education practices, saying that education is not dealing with the causes, it’s reactive. She also critiqued the emphasis on measurement, arguing that it ignored implementation.

Megan McHaney, Advocacy Coordinator of Bridge 47, presented civil society responses to these challenges through the Bridge 47 project, in which IDEA is a partner. She described the four pillars to the Bridge 47 project which aim, together, to build the impact of Global Citizenship Education. The Bridge 47 network brings together practitioners in value based education globally, and its advocacy will build recognition for Global Citizenship Education in policy process. Bridge 47 partnerships, which are led by IDEA, will develop new constituencies for Global Citizenship Education and new partnerships for an equal and sustainable world. The project will also support and promote innovation and good practice in Global Citizenship Education.

The event concluded with a discussion about power, with Katarina Popovic arguing that the resistance to Global Citizenship Education was not due to the case that civil society made but due to the resistance of the powerful to the transformative change that education can create. Panellists argued that the content of education has to be in the hands of people and needs to be addressed in a very participatory way. Education is a prerequisite for all SDGs.

This theme of participation was strongly echoed in two other key meetings of day one of the HLPF. The Irish civil society delegation, Valerie Duffy of NYCI, Michael Ewing of IEN, Frejya Bourke of Friends of the Earth, and I attended a meeting convening everyone with an interest in commenting on Ireland’s Voluntary National Review. A key theme of the discussion was on civil society participation within the UN and the HLPF, the importance of that participation and the need for vigilance to promote and defend civil society space. David Donoghue, Ireland’s Ambassador to the UN who co-chaired the SDG negotiations, was a strong supporter of civil society participation in the SDG processes.

At the end of the day, All Together in Dignity (ATD) 4th World hosted an event on How to Define Poverty with Those Left Furthest Behind. Professor Robert Walker of Oxford University spoke passionately about a research project led by people experiencing poverty working with researchers. This highlights aspects of the multi-dimensionality of poverty by working with “the experts in poverty, those experiencing poverty.” “Poverty is felt directly as emotions.” He spoke of “the anger of the child who sees their parent as the cause of the poverty they are experiencing.” Poverty is relational. It is experienced as oppression, exploitation, humiliation, stigimatisation and making people voiceless. The skills and knowledge that people acquire through experiencing poverty – survival skills, resourcefulness, organisational skills, resistance and resilience – are not recognised publically. Research and policy have only a partial understanding of poverty, and therefore our policies are ineffective.

Having listened to those speaking on the first day, it struck me powerfully how the connections between education and participation are central to what we do in Development Education. It is essential that we take up these challenges to end social exclusion and inequality. The SDGs will not provide all the answers, they will bring their own challenges, but they provide a truly global framework for us to work together to tackle these issues. Ultimately, after one day at the HLPF, I am left with a strong sense of hope. Seeing so many people from all parts of the world working together on the struggle to end inequality and injustice is inspiring, in spite of the enormity of our task.

Frank Geary, Director of IDEA, is currently in New York, participating in the the 2018 UN High Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals

Workshop & Info Session: Participating in Bridge 47 Partnerships

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 09/07/2018 End Date: 09/07/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin

IDEA is running a two-hour workshop and information session on Participating in Bridge 47 Partnerships on Tuesday 10 July, 10.00am-12.00pm, in the IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin.

The aim is to introduce the 'Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship' project and to identify opportunities to engage and support IDEA members in building partnerships with key external stakeholders.

Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship is a three-year European Commission-funded project that is co-created and implemented by 16 European and global civil society organisations. It aims to mobilise and empower them to create transformation towards global justice and eradication of poverty through Global Citizenship Education. IDEA is the leading on the Partnership strand of the project and our work in this area will build partnerships for Development Education nationally and at a European level.

This workshop and information session will consist of a short presentation on Bridge 47 Partnerships and how to get involved, along with two interactive partnership-building activities.

This is open only to IDEA members and is free of charge. Tea, coffee & biscuits will be provided.

Job Opportunity: WWGS PROGRAMME DIRECTOR

Tue, 03 Jul 2018 09:44:00 GMT

WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) is hiring a Programme Director to provide leadership, oversight and strategic direction for the WWGS programme, so that it meets its strategic aims in increasing the spread, number and mix of post-primary schools engaging in quality Development Education (DE) and Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Ireland.

Deadline for application is Sunday, 15 July.

Find out more here .

Graphic Facilitation for Development Education

Wed, 27 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 26/06/2018 End Date: 27/06/2018

Event Location: 15 Little Green Street (off Capel Street), Dublin 7

IDEA is running a two-day training workshop on Graphic Facilitation for Development Education, 27 & 28 June, in The Complex ,15 Little Green Street (off Capel Street), Dublin 7. The training days will run from 10am – 5pm each day.

The aim of this training workshop is to empower participants to use visual tools in their facilitation practice. The level of complexity is high when discussing Development Education and global justice issues. Visual tools are helpful because they can illustrate complexity so that everyone can understand – we can literally put ourselves into the bigger picture, in a way that is impossible with words alone. Visual thinking also encourages our brain to work in a different, less linear, way.

The training will be facilitated by Eimear McNally . Eimear is a freelance illustrator and facilitator working mainly in the area of live graphic recording and visual facilitation. She works on paper and digitally. She is trained and experienced in facilitation with an “Art of Hosting” approach. This approach focuses on collaborative, conversational methods for meetings and learning processes. As a freelance consultant, she has worked with clients such as Google, Siemens, UCD, the HSE, Society of SVP and many others. Eimear is hugely experienced in the area of facilitation and visual illustration. However she assures us that you don't need to be able to draw to do this training! The approach will be about creating and implementing basic visual tools into your faciltiation work.

Day 1 will be an introduction to graphic recording and visual practice. This day will equip learners with the basic tools to begin using visuals in their practice and will include practical sessions drawing and making visual supports.

Day 2 will focus on the use of visuals in facilitation. This will include exploring systems visually and engaging with statistics creatively. The training will suit anyone who has a facilitation practice, has an interest in visuals and would like support in bringing the two together. Participants will leave with a set of tools they can use, as well as a starter kit for their work (markers, tape, papers etc.) and ideas for exploration in their own practice.

Cost: €90 for members of IDEA and €150 for non-members. The fee includes participation in both days of the course, refreshments as well as a ‘Graphic Facilitation starter kit’ to take away for each participant. Please contact us if you have any questions.

To register, or find out more, please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie .

Cultivate: ERASMUS+ Training on ”Volunteering in Eco-Villages”

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 16:55:00 GMT

Cultivate is looking for 3 or 4 people to take part in a 4 day training course: ERASMUS+ project ''Volunteering in Eco-Villages'' 08 – 12 October, Cloughjordan, Co Tipperary.

This training and networking event teaches participants how to create successful volunteering projects with young international volunteers, and will be beneficial to you or your staff if you or your organisation are currently involved in, or have a clear intention to start international volunteering projects.

The participants are from 10 different countries, and all work in the field of education for sustainable development and are connected to the ecovillage movement ,making this a fantastic networking opportunity.

The facilitators of the training have several years of experience with EVS and other volunteering schemes, and participants will benefit from the sharing of experiences how the volunteers can be integrated into ecovillage life and how practicalities can be dealt with.

These are funded places and all transport and subsistence costs are also covered through the project grant.

If you are interested in securing a place please contact Philippa or Davie @cultivate.ie.

Deadline for application is Wednesday 27 June.

IDEA AGM & Conference 2018

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 05/06/2018 End Date: 05/06/2018

Event Location: Blackhall Place, Arran Quay, Dublin 7

AGM: 9.30 – 11.15
Conference: 11.30 – 4.30
Post-Conference Social: 4.30 – 6.00

The IDEA AGM and Conference 2018 will take place Wednesday, 06 June, in The President's Hall, Blackhall Place, Arran Quay, Dublin 7. This year the theme will be Transformative Education for Global Citizenship – SDG 4.7 in Ireland, and the conference will be held in collaboration with Aontas and the National Youth Council of Ireland.

The aim of the conference is to bring together those working in the Development Education sector with representatives from sectors, whose work also supports this target, to explore the opportunities and challenges offered by SDG 4.7.

There will be a panel of speakers exploring SDG 4.7, how we can engage with it, the possibilities of working together towards this target, and how we can highlight the importance of SDG 4.7 to the overall achievement of the SDGs. There will also be a series of workshops providing practical tools and approaches that can be used to engage with SDG 4.7 as part of your everyday work.

Admission:

Join us to explore what SDG 4.7 can mean for Ireland!

If you've any questions regarding the AGM or the Conference please contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Register Below!

CONVERSATION SERIES: Ethics and Fashion

Tue, 08 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 07/05/2018 End Date: 07/05/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

Continuing the theme of Fashion Revolution Week, IDEA is hosting a conversation circle on Ethics and Fashion, Tuesday, 08 May, 12:30-2:00pm in the IDEA Office. This will be led by Rosie O'Reilly, Creative Director of Re-dress, and Maeve Galvin, Co-ordinator of Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship.

Rosie is Creative Director of Re-dress, a not-for-profit that seeks to develop a national awareness of the detrimental environmental and social impacts of the fashion industry. Re-Dress founded the Irish Better Fashion Week and the Irish branch of the Clean Clothes Campaign. They've also created the Better Fashion Schools Project to educate students and teachers about the implications of fast-fashion. Rosie is also the designer of the ethical fashion label, We Are Islanders. Maeve is currently the Co-ordinator of the Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship project and has previously worked as Programme Advisor with the International Labour Organisation in Cambodia and Geneva and as Programme Manager with the C&A Foundation in Myanmar and Bangladesh. During that time her work focused on labour issues relating to the Garment Industry in those countries.

To register contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Workshop: Bringing your Results Framework to Life

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 17/04/2018 End Date: 17/04/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

IDEA, in partnership with Trócaire, are running a workshop on Bringing your Results Framework to Life – Approaches to Monitoring & Evaluation in Development Education Settings, Wednesday 18 April, 10.00am – 1.00pm, IDEA Office.

Facilitated by Elaine Mahon (IDEA) and Susan Gallwey (Trócaire), this workshop will look at both practical and creative approaches to Monitoring and Evaluating your work in Development Education settings. ‘Bring your Results Framework to Life’ follows on from our support to IDEA members and Development Education practitioners to develop Results Frameworks for Development Education projects . We will now explore how to utilise your Results Framework from your funding application and how to develop it into a project management tool.

We will be exploring the idea of a ‘living Results Framework’ and how to track progress towards your targets on an ongoing basis during your project life cycle. The workshop will also look at some creative approaches to Development Education data collection and analysis, including the use of qualitative data. We will utilise methods from the resource ‘How do we know it’s working?’ (developed by RISC) and training participants will receive a taster pack of the RISC guide to take away with them. This workshop is most suited to Development Education practitioners who already have/use a results-based approach in their work.

Cost: €25 for members of IDEA and €40 for non-members. The fee includes a light lunch as well as copies of the RISC taster pack ‘How do we know it’s working?’

Registration will take place at 9.45am, and the workshop will be followed by lunch at 1.00pm.

To register , or find out more, please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

Extended Deadline – Maternity Cover: Capacity Development Officer

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 14:23:00 GMT

IDEA is looking to recruit a Capacity Development Officer on a fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave. The successful candidate will coordinate the capacity development and monitoring & evaluation function of IDEA.

Deadline for application extended to 5.00pm on Wednesday, 02 May .

Full job description is available here .

DDCI: Grant Information Session

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 12:31:00 GMT

Debt and Development Coalition Ireland are running an information session for organisations interested in applying for funding under their new 'Citizens for Financial Justice' DEAR project. The initiative will include capacity building support for NGOs and CSOs who wish to work on financial justice as well as project grants of circa €20,000. The session will take place in the IDEA Office on Monday 09 April, 11.00-12.30.

Find out more here .

Webinar: Digital Global Citizenship

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 09:35:00 GMT

What are the challenges posed to educators and learning groups in ‘grappling’ with social and digital media as established places where learning takes place (made more difficult by the ‘post-truth’ agenda)?

How can learners break past ‘clicktivism’ and use digital tools for exploring positive change in the world?

In conjunction with IDEA, this webinar aims to open a wide-ranging discussion on exploring the promise, prospects and potential for digital global citizenship, led by Tony Daly and Colm Regan from 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World as part of developing a new toolkit for educators. The webinar will take place Thursday 29 March, 3.00-3.45pm .

To join the webinar, contact tony@8020.ie by 1.00pm on Thursday 29 April and you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting.

Concern: Volunteer & Networking Event

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 16:33:00 GMT

Concern is hosting a networking event for students, graduates, educators and those considering working or volunteering in the humanitarian sector, Thursday, 05 April, 6.00 to 8.00 in Epic, CHQ Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1

The event will be of interest to those considering working or volunteering overseas with Concern or as part of the wider EU Aid Volunteer Initiative. The EU Aid Volunteer initiative has created hundreds of volunteering opportunities within the humanitarian sector. Organisations and Further Education Course Co-ordinators may also be interested in attending to further their knowledge of the EUAV project.

RSVP and further information: hrenquiries@concern.net (F.A.O. Lucy)

Conversation Series: Gender Equality as a Global Justice Issue

Tue, 27 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 26/03/2018 End Date: 26/03/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

IDEA is hosting a conversation on Gender Equality as a Global Justice Issue with Ifrah Ahmed, FGM Activist, and a representative of Amnesty International Ireland, on Tuesday, 27 March, 12:30-2:00pm, in the IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

Ifrah Ahmed is one of the world's top international FGM/C Eradication Advocates and Activists. She has received many humanitarian and other Awards for her work and campaigns relentlessly for legislation to ban FGM/C around the world as well as funding and implementing programmes to effect eradication in east africa with a focus on somalia. We will also have a representative from Amnesty International Ireland speaking about their global My Body My Rights campaign on sexual and reproductive rights.

To register contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Rescheduled: IDEA Monster Working Group Meeting

Wed, 21 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 21/03/2018 End Date: 21/03/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

Due to Storm Emma we have rescheduled our Monster Working Group session for IDEA members for Wednesday, 21 March, 12.30 – 4.30pm, IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

The Working Groups are a core feature of IDEA's work, as a space for members to collaborate on tasks and issues that are important to them. This will be an opportunity for all IDEA members, those who are existing members of IDEA Working Groups and those who’d like to get involved, to come together to share ideas and learning, and plan for the future.

The Monster Working Group will focus on reviewing the value of Working Groups, what has worked and what could be improved, and which Working Groups are needed. The Working Groups will also meet individually to reflect on their work and plan for the coming year. Previous/current convenors of the groups will be there and some are looking for new people to take on the role of convenor.

You can find out more about the current Working Groups here .

To register contact elaine@ideaonline.ie by Friday, 16 March.

Job Opportunity: National Officer

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 14:58:00 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association is currently recruiting a National Officer to deliver & coordinate national activities in Ireland for Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship, with a particular focus on building partnerships between those working in Development Education / Global Citzenship Education and key external stakeholders.

IDEA is leading on the Partnership strand of the project and our work will focus on three types of partnerships that can extend awareness and understanding of Development Education practice and impact, while demonstrating the role of partnerships in delivering the SDGs. These are:

Deadline for application is 1.00pm, Monday, 09 April.

Full job description is available here .

Job Opportunity: Advocacy Officer

Tue, 20 Mar 2018 14:50:00 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association is recruiting an Advocacy Officer to coordinate IDEA advocacy for Development Education in Ireland and internationally. This will include the advocacy elements of Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship.

Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship is a three-year European Commission-funded project, running 2018-2020. The overall objective of the project is to mobilise global civil society to contribute effectively to global justice and eradication of poverty through global citizenship. IDEA is leading on the Partnership strand of the project and our work will focus on three types of partnerships that can extend awareness and understanding of Development Education practice and impact, while demonstrating the role of partnerships in delivering the SDGs. These are:

Deadline for applications is 1.00pm, Monday, 09 April.

Full job description is available here .

Seminar: Thinking Differently about International Volunteering with Matt Baillie Smith – NOW FULL

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 15/03/2018 End Date: 15/03/2018

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

THIS EVENT IS NOW FULL – WAITING LIST ONLY

IDEA in conjunction with EIL Intercultural Learning & Global Citzen Award are running a seminar on Thinking Differently about International Volunteering with Matt Baillie Smith, Thursday 15 March, 9.30am – 12.30pm (including lunch). Matt Baillie Smith is Professor of International Development at Northumbria University. His work has focused on volunteering, civil society, citizenship and NGOs.

This seminar will explore the role of volunteering in how we think about international development and global citizenship. Drawing on Matt’s research on volunteering with diverse development NGOs and humanitarian actors, as well as his research on Development Education, Matt will suggest we need to rethink volunteering and development. He will argue that we need to avoid repeating well-worn arguments about the gap year and international volunteers from the global North, but instead need to think about how different kinds of volunteers and ideas of citizenship come together to try and promote development in the South. He will also examine what the consequences are for both volunteers and marginalised communities. As part of this, Matt will provide an opportunity for participants to explore and analyse data from a project with the Swedish Red Cross on Volunteers in Conflicts and Emergencies, and to use this to think about what questions this poses for current thinking about volunteering, development and citizenship.

Registration on the day runs from 9.30 – 9.45am, with lunch from 12.00 -12.30pm.

To register contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie .

LYCS: Globalisation & Inequality Training

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:22:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services is running a one-day Development Education workshop Tuesday 27 March 2018, Dublin City Centre Venue. This will explore rising inequality in Ireland and around the world, its causes and consequences, and what can be done about it. As Europe and the US are witnessing a rise in xenophobia and nationalism and a backlash against globalisation, many are asking what the relationship is between globalisation and inequality. People are also questioning how this contributes to the discontent giving rise to this political shift we are seeing.

This workshop is aimed at community activists, workers and educators. You will have an opportunity to participate in activities and exercises that will help you explore the issue of growing inequality in the context of globalisation with others.

To apply contact Helena at deved@lycs.ie or 01 2345839 for an application form.

WWGS: Annual Grant Application Workshop

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:18:00 GMT

WorldWise Global Schools will be holding a grant application workshop for NGO and Network applicants 28 March, 2.00-4.00pm in its Parkgate Street offices, Dublin 8.

They will also be running the session as a webinar.

For more information or to register your interest contact: laura.cahill@worldwiseschools.ie .

WWGS: Annual Grant Call

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:17:00 GMT

The WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) Annual Grant Call, to support Development Education initiatives in Irish post-primary settings during the 2018/19 academic year, is now open.

Applications are invited from eligible organisations: schools, school clusters, NGOs and education networks.

Deadline for applications is 09 May. Find out more here .

Suas: Facilitators for the Irish Aid Centre

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 22:04:00 GMT

Suas is contracted by Irish Aid to provide Facilitation and Public Awareness Services in support of Irish Aid’s Public Awareness Programme. To this end Suas is now recruiting a panel of facilitators who can be called upon to work as part of a dynamic, diverse team based in the Irish Aid Centre in Clonmel Street, Dublin 2.

The purpose of the facilitator role is to contribute to the achievement of the Irish Aid Public Awareness Programme by working as part of a team to deliver workshops for primary, secondary and third level students, support with public outreach events, respond to public queries and manage the stock and provision of Irish Aid materials.

The facilitator role is a fixed term, part time contract position for ~2 years until the end of June 2020. The role holder will work ~7-8 days per month on average, and will generally work half days (mornings).

This role is an excellent opportunity for facilitators who enjoy working with a range of groups, are flexibile in their working arrangements and are keen to pursue their professional development as part of a small dynamic team.

Deadline for application is 26 March. Find our more here .

LASC: Latin America Development Issues Course

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:51:00 GMT

The Latin America Solidarity Center (LASC) is running a Latin American Development Issues Course in Cork, in conjunction with the UCC Department of Spanish, Portuguese and Latin American Studies, with support from Irish Aid.

This course will start on 10 April, and run each Tuesday evening from 6.00-8.00pm at University College Cork for four weeks.

Participants will acquire a general understanding of Latin American social, political, historical and economic developments as well as more detailed information about topics of contemporary significance, such as environmental threats, gender issues, indigenous and human rights, social movements and popular resistance.

The course is free but numbers are limited. Find out more here .

LYCS Zero Waste Educator Training

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 11:17:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services (LYCS) is running a Zero Waste Educator Training in Dublin city centre, 10.00am-4.30pm, Tues 20th & Wed 21st March. This is a two day training, but participants can opt to do both or either one of the two days as required.

The first day aims to up-skill participants so they can create and deliver informative and interactive workshops on how and why to reduce waste. It will give participants lots of ideas on how to run a dynamic & interactive event. Suitable for those who have not done the one-day Zero Waste Educator Training with LYCS already.

The second day will be a deeper exploration of how our way of living is threatening the survival of life on the planet. It will look at issues such as our human development needs, consumerism and the economic system and also explore what impact this crisis is having on us as individuals, as group leaders/activists and on society as a whole. It will explore tools to help ourselves and others move beyond apathy, to recognize our feelings and learn self-care techniques to cope with them and ultimately help channel grief into hope and action to create a life sustaining world. Plenty of ideas for approaches to use when talking about these issues to others are included. Suitable for anyone who has already done the Zero Waste Educator training and wants to go deeper into the learning.

The deadline for application is 14 March. Find out more here .

CinC & DDCI: Demysitfying Tax Justice

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 11:38:00 GMT

The global cost of tax dodging is estimated to be $500 billion a year, and $200 billion of that comes from developing countries – more than they receive in development aid. The impact of these tax practices is that governments have less tax income to provide public services, affecting communities throughout the world. Less tax means less healthcare, less infrastructure, less money to pay for teachers, doctors and nurses. At the same scandals like the Panama and Paradise Papers expose those dodging their tax bill yet nothing seems to change.

This workshop gives you the opportunity to find out how big corporate powers hide their money to avoid paying tax, and how this contributes directly to maintaining a cycle of global poverty and injustice.

Food will be provided from 6.00pm, with the workshop kicking off at 6.45pm. There will be performance pieces throughout by local artists – Bebeedeebe.

IDEA Code of Good Practice

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 16:27:00 GMT

As part of our work in strengthening good practice in Development Education, IDEA is leading the development of a Code of Good Practice in Development Education with our members in 2017. This builds on the work already carried out by IDEA working groups and partners in the production of Good Practice Guidelines for key areas of DE activity .

This draft Code of Good Practice in Development Education is now entering a piloting phase in 2018 and we are now inviting members to be part of a piloting group, April – November 2018. The pilot group will ideally be made up of 8 – 10 members, representing different sub-sectors of IDEA membership (formal education, youth work, adult and community education) as well as both individual practitioners and organisational members. More information on the process is available on our website and will involve attending three workshops with the pilot group as well as various tasks between meetings. IDEA staff and an external consultant will support piloting members in this process.

The first meeting takes place in the IDEA office on Wednesday 11 April from 9.30am – 1.00pm, followed by a light lunch . This pilot group is open to ALL current members of IDEA.

To sign up to this process and/or for more information please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie

IDEA National Council: Company Secretary

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:49:00 GMT

The IDEA National Council is looking to co-opt a National Council member that can provide specific skills and expertise required to fulfil our governance function, in the role of Company Secretary. The Company Secretary’s role involves:

The National Council would particularly welcome applicants for the role of Company Secretary with skills/experience in some of the following areas:

Full description of the role is available here .

Interested candidates should apply with a covering letter and CV to the Chair of IDEA, c/o IDEA, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1, or by email to siobhansleeman@gmail.com

Carraig Dúlra: Designing Solutions Workshop

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 14:59:00 GMT

Carraig Dúlra research farm and Earthcare design consultancy, in collaboration with Comhlámh, are running a workshop that aims to bring Development Education and Permaculture together to develop real solutions to many of the issues we face today. It will run over two evenings 07 & 21 March in the Comhlámh office and two residential days in Carraig Dúlra, 07-08 April.

This workshop will cover:

It will be of interest to anyone volunteering in local or international contexts and those involved or interested in social and environmental justice issues. It will also serve as an Introduction to Permaculture course.

They are running the fee on a sliding scale to make the course accessible as possible: Waged €250; Low waged €200; Unwaged €100 and we have limited places available.

Places are limited so advance booking is essential. Find out more…

IDEA Calendar of Events 2018

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 12:11:00 GMT

February

28 Monster Working Group Meeting, 10am-1pm, IDEA Office – RESCHEDULED DUE TO WEATHER (see March)

March

15 Matt Bailie Smith: Thinking Differently about International Volunteerin g , in partnership with EIL Intercultural Learning & Global Citizen Award, 9.30-12.30pm, IDEA Office

21 Monster Working Group Meeting , 12.30-4.30pm, IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

27 Conversation Circle #1 on Gender Equality as a Global Justice Issue , 12:30-2.00pm, IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

April

11 Code of Good Practice Meeting #1

18 Bringing your Results Framework to Life – Approaches to M&E in Development Education settings , with Susan Gallwey, in partnership with Trócaire, 10am – 1pm, IDEA Office

May

08 Conversation Circle #2 on Ethics and Fashion , 12:30-2.00pm, IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

June

06 IDEA AGM & Annual Conference , 9.30 – 11.15 & 11.30 – 4.30, Blackhall Place, Arran Quay, Dublin 7

20 Code of Good Practice Meeting #2

27-28 Graphic Harvestin g , with Eimear McNally, 10.00 – 5.00pm, The Complex, 15 Little Green St, Smithfield, Dublin 7

July

10 Workshop & Info Session: Participating In Bridge 47 Partnerships

August

29 Conversation Circle #3: Beyond the Click , with Tony Daly of 80:20, 11,00am – 1.00pm, IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

September

12 Workshop on Communication Development Education to External Audiences , with John Simmons, 09.30am – 4.30pm, IDEA Office

26 Code of Good Practice Webinar, 11.00am – 1.00pm

We are also contacting members to arrange regional events and meetings and will be updating the calendar throughout the year.

LYCS: Women of the World

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:33:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services are running Women of the World, Monday & Tuesday, 26 & 27 March, 10.00am-4.30pm. This training aims to introduce community workers, activists and educators to global development issues and how they impact on women, to build their understanding of the links between local and global issues and develop their capacity to take action around the issues. Many of the problems faced by women in Ireland are shared by their sisters in other countries around the world. And many issues faced by women whether here or elsewhere are affected by globalisation and by decisions taken outside of our national context. If we want a better world for ourselves and future generations we must empower women all over.

Find out more here .

LYCS: Sustainable Cookery Course

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:25:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Sevices are running a 5 week Sustainable Cooking Course – Cooking with Care, Mondays, 10.00am-12.30am, 26 February – 26 March, in LYCS, Lower Rutland St, Dublin 1.

Learn about how to care for the planet and people, through cooking and food awareness. The way we produce our food is heating up the planet, so let’s not cook up a storm and instead eat local, real, healthy food. In this 5 week course you will learn all about sustainable and healthy cooking with Fumbally studios chef Aoife Allen. Aoife will pass on her skills and enthusiasm for local, seasonal veg and pulse based cooking, making good quality meat go further, fermentation, cooking with left-overs and baking healthier treats with ordinary ingredients. Open to all regardless of current level of cooking skills. Especially geared towards people who work with groups and who can pass on the learning to others.

Find out more here .

LYCS: Global Active Citizenship through Music

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:18:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services are running a workshop exploring and making music inspired by cultures from around the world, Thursday, 22 February, 10.00am-4.30pm, in the Carmelite Community Centre. The aim is to explore how music can help to promote the values, understanding and actions needed to encourage global active citizenship. Communal music making bonds people, opens hearts and allows us to reach a place of peace and connection where another world can be imagined. Music is being used all over the world to build community, to heal and to protest and when we explore this world it can engage our hearts and minds in inspiring and informing our own efforts towards change.

This workshop is a training for trainers, designed to give educators, activists and those working with groups some new tools and perspectives for encouraging global active citizenship. You don’t need to be a musician or singer, the workshop is designed for working with non-musicians.

It will be facilitated by Rachel Dempsey, who has a Masters in Ethnomusicology and 20 years’ experience of running singing and music workshops through Global Harmonies .

To register contact racheldempsey@lycs.ie .

Comhlámh: Ireland – Development Ally or Tax Haven?

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 11:47:00 GMT

Comhlámh's next First Wednesday Debate, Ireland: Development Ally or Tax Haven?, hosted with Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (DDCI), will take place Wednesday 07 February, 7.00pm, Teacher's Club, Dublin 1. It will look at tax justice at a time when Ireland's tax practices are with regard to multinationals are coming under increasing scrutiny. As Ireland's development actors come together to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, is it time to ask whether by facilitating multinationals to reduce their tax payments, we undermine our development efforts?

Speakers include John Christensen from the Tax Justice Network UK, Mary Cosgrove (NUIG) and Maeve Bateman (DDCI).

Find out more here .

DDCI: Stopping the Vultures

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 11:18:00 GMT

Debt and Development Coalition, in conjunction with Galway One World Centre, and Galway Housing Action Group are hosting a discussion on Stopping the Vultures, Thursday, 01 February, 6.30pm, Harbour Hotel, New Dock Road, Galway.

Join Áine Ní Threinir from Galway Housing Action Group and Kevin Flanagan & Tim Jones from Jubilee Debt Campaign to link together the local and global impact of vulture funds. Discuss how the global financial system perpetuates these predatory practices all over the world, and learn what can be done both at home and overseas to end the vulture culture.

Find out more here .

CGE: Call for Book Reviewer

Wed, 24 Jan 2018 09:59:00 GMT

Are you interested in reviewing a book for the Centre for Global Education’s journal Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review? If yes, the journal is seeking a review of a new book from Bloomsbury Academic Press called Global Education Policy and International Development.

The book review would be required by 06 July and the review should be 1,000-2,000 words. Details of the book are available at: Global Education Policy and International Development .

Deadline for application is Friday, 23 March.

If you are interested please contact the journal editor at: stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com .

CGE: Development Education and Human Rights Seminar

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 15:53:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education and the Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education are hosting a seminar which will present and debate the content of Issue 25 of the Policy and Practice Journal on the theme of Development Education and Human Rights, Friday, 09 February, 10.30am – 12.30pm (12.30 – 1.30pm Light lunch). It will take place in the Seamus Heaney Lecture Theatre, Dublin City University, St Patrick’s campus, Drumcondra.

The theme of this issue is ‘Development Education and Human Rights’ and focuses on: the strong connections between human rights and development education in formal education, from primary to third level; their shared commitment to sustainability and gender-based rights; the role of research in developing participatory, rights-based strategies; and the importance of criticality in transformative practice. Authors who contributed articles on this theme to Issue 26 of the journal will present their papers and encourage discussion on the key issues that connect these related sectors of education. Students, academics, development educators and human rights practitioner are all invited to attend.

Find out more here .

DDCI: The New Global Debt Crisis

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:58:00 GMT

A new global debt crisis is on the horizon. Sparked by a crash in commodity prices, this crisis has already hit countries dependent on commodities, including Mozambique, and is seen as a warning sign of a bigger debt crisis looming.

Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (DDCI) are holding a talk with Tim Jones of Jubilee Debt Campaign and Humberto Zaqueu of Mozambique Debt Group (by Skype) to learn how this debt crisis is playing out, its impact on communities in Mozambique as well as the campaign for debt cancellation and to hold those who lent recklessly to account. This will take place Wednesday 31 January, 6.30pm, The Central Hotel, Exchequer St., Dublin 2.

Find out more here .

WWGS: GRANTS & OPERATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

Mon, 22 Jan 2018 10:54:00 GMT

WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) is recruiting a Grants & Operations Administrator. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing administrative support for many of the operational aspects of the WWGS programme, including the Annual Grant Call, the Global Passport, and the Self Assessment Tool (SAT).

Deadline for application is 5.00pm on Wednesday 31 January.

Find out more here .

Goal: DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION COORDINATOR – MATERNITY COVER

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:40:00 GMT

GOAL is seeking a Development Education Coordinator (Maternity Cover). The purpose of this role is to promote education about global issues and to facilitate the engagement of young people in becoming activists for change, within the Primary and Post Primary school sectors in Ireland.

The successful candidate will be expected to travel nationwide frequently.

Deadline for application is open until a suitable candidate is found, but apply ASAP as the role is due to be filled by February.

Plan International: Youth Advisory Panel Recruitment

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 12:11:00 GMT

Plan International Ireland have opened up applications for their Youth Advisory Panel (YAP). The YAP is a group of 10 young people aged 16-21 years old who represent the views and voices of young people all over Ireland. YAP members campaign for children and girls rights by participating in Plan International Ireland events, advocacy initiatives and developing leadership skills to work with peers. Find out more about this fantastic opportunity for young people here .

Deadline for application is 19 January.

Gorta-Self Help Africa: Development Education Officer

Mon, 11 Dec 2017 16:29:00 GMT

Gorta-Self Help Africa are recruiting a Development Education Officer to support the implementation of its Irish Aid funded Development Education programme in post-primary schools and with communities across Ireland.

The organisation provides schools workshops, organises events and runs a series of special projects, including Science for Development Award at the BTYS exhibition and a schools visit to Africa, each year.

The successful candidate will work with a programme coordinator and network of school workshop facilitators to deliver workshops and other school and community-based activities.

Deadline for application has been extended to Sunday, 07 January 2018.

Find out more here .

Plan: Youth Engagement Support Officer

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 13:53:00 GMT

Plan International Ireland are recruiting a Youth Engagement Support Officer (YESO). This person will be responsible for supporting and promoting youth engagement in Plan International Ireland by ensuring that young people have the supports they require to develop leadership roles and meaningfully participate in Plan International Ireland’s work.

Deadline for application is 5.00pm, Wednesday, 10 January, 2018.

Find out more here .

Conversation Circle 3: We’re All Activists Now!

Tue, 05 Dec 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 05/12/2017 End Date: 05/12/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

Following on from our Annual Conference this year on Global Citizenship in a Time of Isolationism, our final conversation circle of 2017 will examine the opportunities and need for activism in the current climate. The conversation will be led by Tony Daly of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World, with input from Tom Roche of Just Forests – a long-standing member of IDEA that ceased trading in September 2017. This session will allow the sector to celebrate and learn from Just Forests' 28 years of activism in education, as well as exploring how change happens and the role of education in bringing it about.

Join us 1.00-2.30pm, Tuesday, 05 December for the final event in the IDEA calendar for 2017 to discuss the role for Development Education in Activism.

Lunch will be provided.

To register contact communications@ideaonline.ie .

WWGS: Programme Director

Fri, 01 Dec 2017 16:27:00 GMT

WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) is recruiting a Programme Director. The Programme Director is responsible for providing leadership, oversight and strategic direction for the WWGS programme, so that it meets its strategic aims in increasing the spread, number and mix of post-primary schools engaging in quality Development Education in Ireland. In collaboration with the various members of the WWGS staff team, the Programme Director is also responsible for the oversight of all aspects of WWGS operations and strategy, including: programme budget and expenditure; monitoring and evaluation of programme progress and results; annual grant call strategy; annual programme of events and training, including tow national events; and resource development.

Deadline for applications is Sunday, 10 December.

Find out more here .

Job Vacancy: Partnerships Coordinator

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 10:23:00 GMT

The Irish Development Education Association is a partner in a three-year European Commission-funded project entitled Bridge 47: Building Global Citizenship, running 2018-2020. The overall objective of the project is to mobilise global civil society to contribute effectively to global justice and eradication of poverty through global citizenship.

IDEA is currently recruiting a Partnerships Coordinator to ensure delivery of the Partnerships Programme.

Deadline for application is 5.00pm, Monday, 20 November 2017.

Full job description is available here .

Impact Measurement Workshop

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 25/10/2017 End Date: 25/10/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1

This practical workshop tackles the challenge of applying 'results-based thinking' to short-term Development Education projects. Using a toolkit developed by IDEA specifically for use with the Results Table in the Irish Aid Annual Grants application form, participants will work step-by-step through each element of the table. By the end of the workshop, participants should have the skills and confidence needed to prepare an effective Results Table.

The workshop will be facilitated by Susan Gallwey, and will take place Thursday 26 October, 10:00am-1:00pm

To register for this event please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie.

Centre for Global Learning: Global Learning Training for Schools

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 17:15:00 GMT

Schools from across Northern Ireland are being invited to get involved in the Global Learning Programme (GLP) this term and join hundreds of other schools already taking part in the initiative. Each participating school is supported to embed education for a fair and sustainable world through the provision of teacher training, guidance and resources.

The Global Learning Programme (GLP) is a new formal education project designed to enhance the global learning taking place in schools throughout Northern Ireland. Primary, post-primary and special schools can all get involved.

The latest round of GLP training will take place in November. Schools can register now. Find out more…

LYCS: FoodWise Workshop

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 17:12:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services are hosting FoodWise: Educating Communities for Healthier People & Planet, 10.00am – 5.00pm, Monday 20 November.

This is a one-day training course for people working in the community who are interested in promoting healthier ways of eating for both people and planet.

The training is divided into two sections. The first is classroom based and looks at accessible methodologies to explore topics such as where our food comes from, what is organic food and why is there so much sugar and additives in our food? IT discusses lots of ways to improve the ways we eat, inspired by examples from around the world. The second session takes place in a professional kitchen and it also covers how to bring the learning into the kitchen, with a range of recipes and cooking tips to teach to community members.

Find out more here .

Children in Crossfire: Active Citizenship Training

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 17:04:00 GMT

Children in Crossfire are running an Active Citizenship Training Opportunity for Youth, Adult and Community Sectors on Friday, 17 November, 10.00am-4.00pm, Letterkenny Public Service Centre.

The programme, VISION 2030, aims to support the development of trainers to build on their knowledge, confidence and skills to facilitate groups in Global Development issues. It has a key focus on building awareness and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through taking part in this programme you will receive:

VISION 2030 is core funded by Irish Aid, and is complimentary to Development Education approaches.

To find out more contact Dee Abbott, Children in Crossfire’s Public Engagement Officer, on 02871269898 or dee.abbott@childrenincrossfire.org

You can also register directly here .

CONVERSATION SERIES 2017: SESSION 3 – CANCELLED

Wed, 18 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 17/10/2017 End Date: 17/10/2017

Event Location: IDEA Offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dubin 1

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Are we entering the golden age of activism?

Is ‘liking’ and ‘sharing’ enough to satisfy key thresholds for positive social change in a world of new social, ecological and economic extremes?

What are some of the challenges and opportunities for educational campaigners – in formal and community education contexts in Ireland and beyond?

The third session in IDEA's Conversation Series, led by Tony Daly of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World, and Tom Roche of Just Forests , is an invitation to look to the past before looking to the future. We will be drawing on three decades of educational campaigning for sustainable development in Ireland through reflecting on Just Forests’ work and exploring some of the implications for how change happens based on the recent publication of 80-20 Development in an Unequal World, 7th Edition .

To register, email: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Webinar: Measuring Impact for longer-term Development Education projects

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 10/10/2017 End Date: 10/10/2017

Event Location:

IDEA is hosting a webinar on Measuring Impact for longer-term Development Education projects on Wednesday 11 October, 11.30am to 1:00pm. This will be facilitated by Alasdhair Collins of DP Evaluation, UK.

The webinar will look at how to carry out effective Monitoring and Evaluation for Development Education projects over 3-5 years, including:

It may be of interest to those planning multi-annual Development Education projects such as EU funded projects, Irish Aid Strategic Partnerships or building on the work of projects funded through Annual Grants. The webinar will also be relevant to practitioners implementing multi-annual projects as we will looks at examples of tools and some innovative approaches to collecting data. We also hope to have some good practice from IDEA members carrying out monitoring and evaluation of their Development Education work.

This event is free of charge.

Please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie to register or for more information.

Children in Crossfire: Educating the Heart Residential Course

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 16:17:00 GMT

Children in Crossfire is running a 2 day TIDAL residential course 25-26 October at Emmaus Centre, Swords, Dublin.TIDAL refers to ‘Teachers in Development and Learning, and it is a well-established CPD training programme and Open College Network (OCN) Level 3 qualification.

TIDAL: Educating the Heart supports teachers to cultivate compassionate global citizenship, and provides teachers with practical and innovative teaching and learning strategies which enable them to:

It is designed to be fully integrated into the already existing timetable of the school, and it is intended to enhance and enrich already existing programmes you might be implementing in your school.

Children in Crossfire are inviting you to send a number of your teachers to the training and, to enable this, they are offering sub-cover to the value of €145.000 per day for up to 3 teachers per school .

Find out more by contacting Donna McFeely via tidal@childrenincrossire.org.

Irish Aid Annual Grants Round 2018

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 10:48:00 GMT

The call for Proposals for Irish Aid Development Education Annual Grants 2018 is now open.

The key dates for this year are:

The Irish Aid Annual Grants Round Public Information Session will take place 11.00am in the Irish Aid Centre, Clonmel Street, Dublin 2.

Grants are allocated in the range of €10,000 to €180,000 for a period of one year.

Find out more about the funding and how to apply for it here .

Trócaire: Working with Youth Groups

Thu, 28 Sep 2017 13:58:00 GMT

If you have a youth group with an interest in global issues, Trócaire are offering to run interactive 2 hour workshops using participative methodologies to explore a chosen global justice issue, such as:

They are also offering to work with your youth group to develop a short 4-6 week project exploring ways to take action on local to global issues.

All workshops are provided free of charge for youth work organisations.

Early booking is advised as the number of workshops available are limited. To register your interest please email Ellen Donnelly on ellen.donnelly@trocaire.org or call +353 (0) 1 654 9125.

Find out more here .

Seminar: Politics and Society

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 26/09/2017 End Date: 26/09/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

The IDEA Formal Education Working Group and the Citizenship Education Network (CEN) are hosting a seminar on Senior Cycle Politics and Society, Wednesday, 27 September, 10:30am-1:30pm (registration starts at 10:00am).

Participants will have the opportunity to explore Politics and Society in the context of citizenship education in formal education in Ireland, opportunities for collaboration, resources and needs, and to hear teacher and student experiences of Politics and Society.

This will be followed by lunch.

Places are limited. To register contact communications@ideaonline.ie

LYCS: GLOBALISATION AND INEQUALITY Workshop

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 11:10:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Sevices are running a Globalisation and Inequality Workshop for community activists, workers and educators, Thursday, 16 November 10.00am-4.00pm, in the Carmelite Community Centre, Dublin 2. This one-day Development Education workshop is an opportunity to explore rising inequality in Ireland and around the world, its causes and consequences, and what can be done about it.

In this free one-day training you will:

To apply contact Helena at deved@lycs.ie or 01 2345839 for an application form

Partnerships for Development Education Day

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 19/09/2017 End Date: 19/09/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

IDEA is hosting a day on working in Partnerships for Development Education on Wednesday, 20 September from 10.30am – 4pm, facilitated by Ruairi McKiernan . Ruairí is an award winning social innovator, campaigner, consultant, writer and speaker and has recently researched and written a toolkit about ‘Partnerships for Development Education’ with IDEA and our members.

Our first session of the day, Partnerships for Development Education, is a workshop facilitated by Ruairi McKiernan. Ruairi will present the Partnerships toolkit he has developed with IDEA. The toolkit will provide a starting point for a discussion on partnerships, and a space to explore our learning so far on Partnerships for Development Education. We will hear some case studies of Partnership from IDEA members, discuss benefits and risks of working with new Partners and also hear of IDEA’s experience of working in European Partnerships, both Challenging the Crisis and our upcoming Project ‘Bridge 47 – Building Global Citizenship’ from January 2018. This session runs from 10.30am – 1:00pm

Lunch will be from 1:00-1.45pm.

Our second session of the day,1.45 – 4:00pm, will focus on Communicating Development Education. This workshop will look at how we can communicate our Development Education work to new audiences, and particularly organisations that we would like to partner and collaborate with. We will explore some of the challenges and good practice examples of communicating Development Education and also identify priority training areas for the IDEA capacity development programme.

To register for the workshops, please email communications@ideaonline.ie . We hope that you will be able to attend the full day but, if not, please specify which workshop you are attending. All participants are invited to attend for lunch and will also receive a copy of our Partnerships toolkit.

WOWC: Social Saturday

Thu, 14 Sep 2017 11:01:00 GMT

Social Saturday is coming to Waterford! This event highlights businesses and organisations that choose to do good as part of their work. Join Waterford One World Centre on Saturday, 23 September, from 12.00-5.00pm at the Kilmachthomas Workhouse (next to Coach House Coffee), just off the Greenway. There will be lots to see and do for the whole family. Ride your bike to Kilmachthomas and join in for a great day out.

There will be a main stage including music from Oatsie Jones and Kev Power, inspirational words from Dee Sewell of Greenside Up and Deirdre Rogers from ReCreate, a fashion show from Tramore’s Loved Again and Buy Me, a multidisciplinary performance about fashion.

There will be workshops from ReCreate: Creativity through Reuse, Greenside Up: Rubbish or Garden Art? An Upcycling Workshop and Growing Your Own from Ballybeg Greens. Throughout the day there will free M Checks for your bikes from Treo and Rebike.

There will also be a selection of films to see that highlight social economy initiatives around Europe including Economy Changes: Change the Economy, To Live Worthy of this Land and Palmas.

This event is free of charge and everyone is welcome. Ride, walk or drive on down to Kilmachthomas and see what being social is all about.

For more information contact jennifer@waterfordoneworldcentre.com or on 051 396563.

This event is sponsored by the Waterford One World Centre, the Waterford Area Partnership and the European Union.

#LASCWeds talk: Another Brick in “The Wall”

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:44:00 GMT

The next #LASCWeds talk, facilitated by Eimhin O’Reilly, will look at the United States in Central America from Truman to Trump. As Trump dismantles DACA and moves ever closer towards building his wall on the Mexican border, it will explore the impact of US policy in the region from the Cold War to today. Focussing on economic, drug, and foreign policy, this session will examine the American origins of the crime, insecurity and immigration Trump has often blamed on Latin Americans, while exploring the many ways in which Trump’s virulent rhetoric is nothing new, but rather a continuation of nearly 70 years of misgivings and prejudices.

It will take place Wednesday 27 September, 7.00 – 9.00pm in Comhlamh, 12 Parliament Street, Dublin 2.

Find out more here .

Trócaire: Action for a Just World

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 16:36:00 GMT

Trócaire is seeking youth groups to join their Action for a Just World Programme from September 2017. With support from Trócaire and their youth worker, 8 youth groups from across Ireland will explore climate change, take part in the challenge residential, reach out to their peers and develop a joint Youth-Led campaign.

What are they looking for?

The project is an innovative opportunity to involve youth people in a national climate action programme.

If you would like to get involved please contact Ellen Donnelly, Youth Education Officer on 01 654 9125 or email ellen.donnelly@trocaire.org .

Further details are available here .

IDEA Autumn Calendar of Events and Training

Thu, 07 Sep 2017 16:43:00 GMT

Find out more here…

eimear@ideaonline.ie

DICE Project and Irish Aid: Consultant

Mon, 04 Sep 2017 11:11:00 GMT

The DICE Project and Irish Aid are recruiting a consultant to undertake an independent review of the current management structures and roles within the DICE project, drawing on findings of a 2016/17 external evaluation of the project and taking into account contextual changes of recent years, including a reduced number of partner institutions and changes to the hosting arrangements for the project.

The DICE Project is a national strategic education initiative partnering four institutions involved in initial teacher education (ITE) at primary level, namely Dublin City University Institute of Education (DCU IOE); Marino Institute of Education (MIE); Mary Immaculate College, Limerick (MIC); and the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University (MU). DICE is hosted by DCU, and the project office is situated within the DCU Institute of Education (IOE). The project aims to integrate Development Education and Intercultural Education into ITE programmes and across the Primary School Curriculum.

Irish Aid has provided funding support of €280,000 for the period Sept 2016-Aug 2017. This support is governed by a multi-annual memorandum of understanding (MoU) and a financial contract with Irish Aid. The current MoU and DICE programme of work extends the objectives of the DICE Strategic Plan 2014-16 and covers the period Sept 2016 to August 2018.

Deadline for application is 15 September.

Find out more here .

LASC: Education Coordinator and Office Manager

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 10:01:00 GMT

Latin America Solidarity Centre (LASC) is looking for a part-time Education Coordinator and Office Manager. LASC is a membership-based organisation. They share a passion for real social change in Latin America and Ireland, and we believe that peace with justice and equality for all can come only through genuine participation of everyone in society’s decision making.

LASC believes in a Latin America and an Ireland based on equality, social justice and an equal realisation of cultural, social, political, civil and economic rights for all human beings. LASC’s mission is to expose and challenge the current injustices in Latin America and in Ireland, through public awareness raising, development education, information exchanges and campaigns in solidarity with the people of Latin America who are resisting oppression and are struggling to create a fair and inclusive society.

This is a part-time position (20 hours per week).

Salary: Between €30,000 and €32,000 annually (pro-rata)

The person should be available to start in October.

Find out more here .

IDEA & Comhlámh: Creative Fair with Creativity & Change and Global Harmonies

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 25/07/2017 End Date: 25/07/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

IDEA and Comhlámh are Hosting A

CREATIVE FAIR

With ‘Creativity and Change’ and ‘Global Harmonies’

Date: Wednesday 26 July 10.30am – 4.30pm (registration from 10.15am)

Fee: €10 for members of IDEA/Comhlámh. €20 for non-members of IDEA/Comhlámh (fee includes lunch)

This interactive day will take participants through a range of creative tools to enhance your Development Education practice for work with people of all ages. It is designed to give you an injection of creative energy and confidence; inspire you to be a change-maker among the people you work with; help you to support others to explore our unequal and interconnected world, and to take action about your concerns, working towards a better, more equal world. The day will run as follows:

How to register? Email eimear@ideaonline.ie

CIT Crawford College of Art and Design: Creativity & Change Programme

Thu, 20 Jul 2017 09:30:00 GMT

The Creativity & Change programme targets change-makers, educators, activists, artists, community workers, adult education tutors, youth workers, volunteers and anyone who is interested how creative engagement can nurture global citizenship and empathic action around local and global justice themes.

This is a Level 9 CIT Special Purpose Award offered over 8 weekends of the academic year, September – May.

Watch this video to learn more about the experience of doing this course.

Find out more about the Accredited award, hear the stories of previous participants and how to connect to CIT online application here .

Find out more about the Creativity & Change programme and what else it has to offer with master classes, creative fairs and training for youth workers here .

Deadline for application is 30 August.

Suas: Facilitators for the Irish Aid Centre

Thu, 13 Jul 2017 11:09:00 GMT

Suas Educational Development is contracted by Irish Aid to provide Facilitation and Public Awareness Services in support of Irish Aid’s Public Awareness Programme. They are now recruiting a panel of facilitators who can be called upon to work as part of a dynamic, diverse team based in the Irish Aid Centre in Clonmel Street, Dublin 2 over the coming year.

The facilitator role is a fixed term, part time contract position for ~3 years until the end of June 2020. The role holder will work ~7-8 days per month on average, and will generally work half days (mornings).

For further information and to apply please click here . Deadline for application is 25 July.

Development Perspectives: #SDGchallenge Goal 16 Workshop

Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:22:00 GMT

Development Perspectives #SDGchallenge is hosting a discussion on Sustainable Development Goal 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The session will begin with an introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals followed by a focus on Goal 16. This will be an interactive discussion with an opportunity for dialogue.

It will take place 01 August, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Room G17, Western Gateway Building, College Rd, University College, Cork.

RSVP to secure your place: stephanie@developmentperspectives.ie

Global Centre for Education: Policy and Practice

Mon, 03 Jul 2017 17:01:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is calling for contributions to Issue 26 of its bi-annual, open access, peer reviewed journal Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review which will be published in Spring 2018 on the theme ‘Development Education in Politically Uncertain Times’.

The past year has been a highly volatile and politically unstable one with a slide toward popular nationalism in several countries and regions across the world. The questions posed by this issue will include:

Authors interested in submitting an article should send a 300 word précis to journal editor, Stephen McCloskey, via stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com by 08 September.

The submission date for commissioned articles is Friday, 08 December. Find out more here .

Centre for Global Education: New Report

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 16:38:00 GMT

Centre for Global Education has published a report on a two year Psycho-Social and Educational Support Programme delivered in the Gaza Strip, Palestine in 2016-17 in partnership with the Canaan Institute of New Pedagogy, an NGO based in Gaza City. The project used Development Education methodologies to provide activities that supplemented the formal education of 400 young people aged 7-14 years in four locations across the Gaza Strip. It also delivered psycho-social support to children suffering from the effects of conflict-related trauma.

Find out more here .

ActionAid: FGM Documentary Premiere

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 16:34:00 GMT

Join ActionAid Ireland for the Irish premiere of Girls From Earth this Sunday 25 June at 4:00pm in Filmbase, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. This powerful new documentary explores the impact of female genital mutilation (FGM) through the eyes two young women in both Africa and Europe. They will be joined by three women’s rights leaders from Kenya who will share stories of progress made towards ending gender based violence in their community, where FGM has been reduced by 27% over the past four years.

Find out more here

Education Towards Social Change

Thu, 15 Jun 2017 16:00:00 GMT

IDEA's Director Frank Geary spoke at a seminar on ‘Education Toward Social Change’ at Queens University Belfast organised by the Centre for Global Education and the Development Studies Association Ireland, Wednesday, 14 June. The discussion focussed on how we can build and develop inter-sectoral co-operation for the achievement of SDG 4.7.

An audience from Belfast civil society, academia and education engaged in a lively and inspiring discussion with a panel from Development Studies Association Ireland, IDEA, ECO-UNESCO, National Youth Council of Ireland and Participation and Practice of Rights, a Belfast based organisation that takes an innovative community based approach to human rights and education.

Frank presented on the Development Education sector’s delivery of SDG 4.7, IDEA’s work on partnerships within and beyond Development Education, and our shared advocacy with Coalition 2030 and Bridge 47.

The discussion covered a broad range of topics from climate change denial to meeting young people where they are at, to using human rights treaties to tackle housing issues in Belfast. It ended with Ruadhan MacCormaic’s assertion at IDEA's Annual Conference, 08 June, that this is “a golden age for activism”.

IDEA AGM and Annual Conference 2017

Thu, 08 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 07/06/2017 End Date: 07/06/2017

Event Location: Wood Quay Venue, Dublin City Council Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8

AGM: 9.30 – 11.15
Conference: 11.30 – 4.30
Post-Conference Social: 4.30 – 6.00

In 2015 we celebrated the global multilateral process to create the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Accord, but since then the international context has changed significantly. To reflect this the theme for the IDEA Annual Conference 2017 is Global Citizenship in a Time of Isolationism.

Our Keynote this year is Mohamedou Ould Slahi, author of Guantánamo Diary , who was held in the Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp without charge or trial for fourteen years (he will be joining us via weblink).

This will be followed by a panel discussion exploring related issues, led by:

There will also be a range of workshops that will give participants practical tools and approaches that can be used in their day-to-day work, including:

Admission:

Join us to explore how Development Educators can, through their work and in partnership with others, strengthen global citizenship in a time of growing isolationism, protectionism, and xenophobia around the world.

Register Below!

Members’ Consultation on IDEA’s Programme of Work

Thu, 25 May 2017 15:32:00 GMT

This year IDEA will come to the end of its current Strategic Partnership with Irish Aid for the capacity development of the sector. In order to build on the M&E work carried out to date by our external evaluator, we would like to invite all members to take part in a consultation to review the current programme and plan for the next. This consultation coincides with our upcoming IDEA AGM & Annual Conference on Thursday, 08 June, Wood Quay Venue, with the following options to have your say:

Code of Good Practice for Development Education

Thu, 25 May 2017 15:09:00 GMT

In November 2016, a workshop on ‘Strengthening Good Practice in Development Education’ was held with IDEA members. At the event a decision was made for IDEA to develop a draft Code of Good Practice for Development Education in Ireland, for trial by a number of IDEA member organisations in 2017. This development builds on all of the work already carried out in the existing Good Practice Guidelines by IDEA working groups and partners for key areas of DE activity.

To advance this in 2017, we have hired an independent consultant to coordinate this work and we are now assembling a cross-sectoral task group of IDEA members to input into this process. The task group will meet in three sessions over the Summer:

All sessions will include lunch.

If you want to get involved or have any questions about this work, please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie .

Centre for Global Education: Education toward Social Change

Wed, 24 May 2017 10:25:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education, Development Studies Association Ireland and St. Mary’s University College, Belfast are hosting a seminar on “Education toward Social Change: Challenges and Opportunities for Achieving SDG 4.7 through Inter-Sectoral Co-operation.” This will take place Wednesday, 14 June 2017 in The Senate Room, Queen’s University Belfast, 1.00pm – 4.00pm (1.00pm – 2.00pm Light lunch). The seminar will discuss how related education sectors can work together toward achieving SDG 4.7.

Speakers: Mary Van Lieshout (Development Studies Association Ireland, Chair); Nicola Browne (Director, Participation and the Practice of Rights); Frank Geary (Director, Irish Development Education Association); Elaine Nevin (National Director, ECO-UNESCO); and Dermot O’Brien (National Youth Council of Ireland).

Participation is free but registration essential as numbers are limited to 40.

Find out more here .

LYCS: Globalisation & Inequality Workshop

Wed, 24 May 2017 09:33:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services is hosting a one-day workshop exploring rising inequality in Ireland and around the world, its causes and consequences, and what can be done about it, 27 June, 10:00am-4:00pm, Dublin City Centre (venue tbc). This is a Development Education training for community activists, workers and educators. As Europe and the US are witnessing a rise in xenophobia and nationalism and a backlash against globalisation, many are asking what the relationship is between globalisation and inequality, and how does this contribute to the discontent giving rise to this political shift we are seeing. In this workshop you will have an opportunity to participate in activities and exercises that will help you explore the issue of growing inequality in the context of globalisation with others.

Find out more here .

Combating Islamaphobia

Fri, 19 May 2017 16:03:00 GMT

On 11 May 2017, IDEA hosted a conversation circle aimed at exploring Islamaphobia as a global justice issue, and moving the discussion from purely an intercultural question to a space where Development Education actors can play a role in tackling social injustice related to this issue. The following outlines the key points raised during the discussion with a particular focus on the role of DE.

Muslims are not a homogenous group but they are treated as one. The idea of a single 'identity' of Muslims is not a reality but a social construct. As a result all Muslims have to deal with the perceptions of others about 'all Muslims'. It can be difficult for Muslims themselves to speak out, as individuals find themselves in the role of 'spokesperson' for Muslims everywhere. In addition, individuals can experience a huge backlash in public fora or on social media. As a result, many Muslims shy away from the public sphere meaning that the dominant views related to Islamaphobia may not be challenged publicly.

Islamaphobia has gained a lot of media coverage recently but Muslims (or people who 'look like Arabs’) have been dealing with this issue since long before the election of Donald Trump. It really escalated after 9/11. While Muslim activists may welcome allies to tackle Islamaphobia, the question is: why it is becoming more of an issue for civil society now, when it hasn't really been for the past 16 years?

Recent political developments are providing a front/platform for those who held racist views in the past but wouldn't have necessarily acted on them. As a result there seems to be a rise in expressing Islamaphobic comments and actions.

Current anti-terrorism measures in the EU are also alarming. In the UK the PREVENT system requires that professionals such as teachers and healthcare workers report 'suspicious behaviour'. In France we are seeing an increase in the militarisation of the police. We all should be concerned about totalitarian policies and resist monitoring of our private lives by private companies and government. Even if you have 'nothing to hide' it's about defending everyone’s basic human rights.

In France, we are also seeing a reluctance of the extreme-left to tackle Islamaphobia as they are often aetheist and don’t want to be seen to 'defend’ any religion – including Islam or Muslim people. However, tackling Islamaphobia it is not about being drawn into an argument about Islam as a faith. There are so many different interpretations of Islam and differences of opinions. Just as we do not need to be experts in Judaism to combat anti-Semitism, we do not need to be experts in Islam to tackle Islamaphobia. It should be treated as racism and addressed as such. The current rhetoric of Islamaphobia is not just 'anti-immgrant'. It aims to dehumanise Muslims so that they become an enemy to destroy (before they “take over”).

The counter-narrative of exhibiting 'good Muslims' can also be damaging. This refers to occasions where well-meaning people and organisations go down the route of presenting examples of Muslims as “good people”. This can be patronising on the one hand. However it also suggests that while ‘good Muslims’ are deserving of respect and dignity, ‘bad Muslims’ are not. However Muslims are human beings like everyone else – they may behave badly, end up in prison, harm others. Just like everyone else they deserve basic human rights and dignity because they are human beings. They do not have to be grateful for being treated as such. For generations, immigrants have been forced to be grateful and well-behaved ('yes sir, no sir') and younger generations will not accept this role any longer.

The current global system we have is a result of the effects of European empires and interference in other countries over generations. On top of that, many people both in Europe and globally have lost out as a result of an unfair economic system. The failure of capitalism through the most recent economic crash is also based on a system of 'divide and conquer' of the population. We live in an increasingly individualised society where people feel they need to protect what they have from others. Not to forget, one of the most profitable industries in the world is the Arms trade which feeds and benefits from conflict in the many countries that current refugees and migrants are fleeing from. Examining the role of our capitalist economic system in current social issues – Islamaphobia, migrant crisis and rising isolationism – can be a good place to start for Development Educators.

The analogy of a house is useful when thinking about the world we live in. If the world is a house, and the Europeans are in the sitting room and maybe Syria is the kitchen, when there is a fire in the kitchen the whole house can smell it. The people in the sitting room need to act to help the people in the kitchen or the whole house will burn down. And the people from the kitchen will have to be accommodated in the sitting room until the fire is out and the place cleaned up. Refugees and migrants shouldn't be forced into feeling guilty or grateful about being hosted in other places. It's their world too. We are all interconnected and interdependent and as such we are affected by things happening in other parts of the world and should care about them. Promoting empathy is a key strength of Development Education.

If Islamaphobia, is a 'phobia' can it be treated by education and engagement? There is a strong role for non-violent communication and restorative practice in working with groups. Usually hatred comes from pain or anger about a person's own life.

Development Educators can do much to tackle Islamophobia. Critical thinking has a huge role to play in terms of education and action for social justice. This is something at the core of Development Education and a huge strength of the sector. The role of our capitalist system in the current context can be unpacked and examined in relation to Islamaphobia. Development Education – particularly within non-formal and community development settings – can also play a role in bringing people together in a safe space.

These are just a few examples of what Development Education can do in this context. If you have any ideas or resources relating to this topic please contact communications@ideaonline.ie

WorldWise Global Schools Conference: Meaningful Action

Tue, 16 May 2017 11:06:00 GMT

In late April, the annual WorldWise Global Schools conference took place in Croke Park with the theme of ‘Meaningful Action’. This interactive day invites post-primary teachers and students from all over the country to engage to learn and showcase their Development Education practice. Now into its 4th year it has also established itself as an important date in Ireland’s ‘Development Education’ calendar, a chance for many practitioners and NGOs to come together along with the schools participating to think critically about our DE practice.

This year’s theme focused on three of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs or ‘Global Goals’) – on ‘Sustainable Cities and Communities’, ‘Climate Action’ and ‘Responsible Consumption’. The day was opened by Minister of State Joe McHugh and Stephanie Kirwan of Development Perspectives gave an introduction to the SDG agenda for those present as well as highlighting her own work on the #SDGchallenge.

The next session was a youth panel to explore how young people are taking meaningful action on the three Goals. The panellists were Meaghan Carmody (Young Friends of the Earth), Phil Manifold (ECO-UNESCO), Annique van Niekerk (Nu – Ethical Fashion Community which was supported via Suas’ Ideas Collective), Stephanie Kirwan (Development Perspectives) and Grace McManus (Bray Refugee Solidarity Group/10,000 missing children campaign). This was a hugely inspiring part of the day for everyone present: the students got to hear from their peers about how they became activists; and the rest of us listened to a truly transformative story of young people who learned about an issue, felt compelled to do something and joined others to figure out a way that they could make a difference. What’s more, these young people had come through various Development Education interventions over the last number of years and were testament to the excellent work of so many civil society actors – NGOs, youth workers and teachers.

The rest of the day focussed on workshops on the global goals with the students as well as a separate session for teachers facilitated by WWGS, along with IDEA and Ubuntu. The workshops looked at key issues locally and globally relating to the issues as well as developing ideas for meaningful action together. The day closed with the presentation of ‘Global passports’ to schools taking part in the WWGS programme.

All in all it was an excellent event for those active in post-primary education and the Development Education sector more broadly. The event consisted of the wonderful combination of amazing attention to detail, along with mild chaos which is part and parcel of most Development Education events involving over 300 people! The panel in particular was a powerful demonstration of the potential of good Development Education Practice and the real impact that it has to encourage critical understanding and activism to transform our communities and global structures affecting our lives.

CONVERSATION SERIES 2017: SESSION 2

Thu, 11 May 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 10/05/2017 End Date: 10/05/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

The second in IDEA’s Development Education Conversation Series 2017 will take place Thursday, 11 May, 5:30 – 7:30pm in the IDEA office. The session will be led by Amel Yacef, Chairperson of the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) EU and board member of ENAR Ireland and the Amal Muslim Women's Association, and a representative from the Amal Muslim Women's Association, focusing on Islamophobia in Ireland .

There is no charge for the event and refreshments will be available upon arrival. IDEA members and non-members are welcome.

If you would like to attend please email: Eimear@ideaonline.ie.

Cultivate: Art of Facilitation Course

Wed, 10 May 2017 09:54:00 GMT

Cultivate are running a workshop on The Art of Facilitation, 10am – 5pm, Tuesday 23 May, in Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Tipperary.

This full-day course will provide participants with effective tools to better host meetings, enable dialogue, facilitate participative events and cultivate flourishing communities.

It will examine the changing role of the facilitator as a catalyst for change, and is aimed at those that have no background in facilitation and also those who are experienced seeking to enrich their skill-set.

Course fee: €50 (€40 Concession) including lunch

IDEA Members: €10 Concession for every group of three

Find out more here .

ECO-UNESCO: Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase and Ceremony

Mon, 08 May 2017 10:18:00 GMT

ECO-UNESCO will be honouring over 700 young people at the 18th annual Young Environmentalist Awards Showcase and Ceremony, Tuesday, 23 May, at the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dublin 2. During the first half of the day, 10:00am to 12.45pm, the Young Environmentalists will showcase their ECO-Action projects. The Awards Ceremony will run from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, during which Ireland's greenest teens will be announced and take home one of the prestigious prizes from 10 different categories. This event is open to the public.

Find out more here .

Afri: 30th Famine Walk

Thu, 04 May 2017 14:18:00 GMT

Afri’s annual Doolough Valley, Co. Mayo, Famine Walk takes place on Saturday 20 May with the theme “From Hunger and war….to a Home and a Welcome?” Registration takes place in Louisburgh from 12.45 and the walk begins at 1.30pm.

The walk leaders are – Donnah Vuma, living in Direct Provision and campaigning for asylum seekers rights; Abjata Khalif, a journalist involved in sustainable development in Kenya; Danny Cusack, involved with various issues and human rights organisations; with music by Joe Black.

As this is the 30th anniversary of the walk, a CD featuring some of the musicians who have played on the walk since it began will be available.

Shuttle buses will bring walkers to Delphi Lodge where there will be a ceremony before walking the 11 miles back to Louisburgh (a shuttle car is available as needed). Walkers are asked to contribute €24 including payment for the shuttle bus or to get more in sponsorship.

Watch a short film about the Famine Walk here .

Comhlámh: Passion4Solidarity Campaign

Thu, 06 Apr 2017 16:40:00 GMT

Comhlámh has launched its #Passion4Solidarity campaign to provide a one-stop-shop for all education and health workers thinking about travelling overseas to volunteer. Over the coming weeks they will be uploading videos of workers reflecting on their experiences of overseas volunteering and providing tools to help answer any queries you might have about international volunteering, along with information on pension and other contributions while working overseas. They will also be providng links to sending agencies who have signed up to Comhlámh's Code of Good Practice, which is all about ensuring positive, sustainable impacts for host communities as well as for you as the volunteer.

Find out more here .

Conversation Series 2017: Session 1

Tue, 04 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 03/04/2017 End Date: 03/04/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

The first in IDEA’s Development Education Conversation series 2017 will take place Tuesday, 04 April, 5:30 – 7:30pm in the IDEA office. The session will be led by Stephen McCloskey, Centre for Global Education, and Frank Geary, IDEA, and will focus on Brexit, Trump and Development Education. We are asking participants to read an article by Stephen, In the age of Brexit and Trump, we need ‘development education’ more than ever , before the session.

There is no charge for the event and refreshments will be available upon arrival. IDEA members and non-members are welcome.

If you would like to attend please email: Eimear@ideaonline.ie.

Workshop: Financial Tools for Development Education Projects

Tue, 28 Mar 2017 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 27/03/2017 End Date: 27/03/2017

Event Location: IDEA Office
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

As part of IDEA’s support on organisational management, we are running a workshop on ‘Financial Tools for Development Education Projects’ on Tuesday 28 March from 1.00 – 4.30pm in the IDEA office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

This workshop is targeted at Development Education practitioners (non-financial staff) who are seeking to upskill in the area of basic financial management of their projects. It will be facilitated by Denise Fitzgerald, CEO of Temple Street Foundation, a specialist in non-profit management and a lecturer in Finance in the Masters of Management for the Community and Voluntary Sector (All Hallows College/DCU).

The workshop is timed to take place in advance of Development Education grant applications for WorldWise Global Schools (April), Trócaire (June) and Irish Aid annual grants (Autumn). Denise will provide participants with a selection of tools for project budgeting and financial management (such as sample budgets, cash flow tools etc.) and the last hour of the workshop will be allocated to WorldWise Global Schools and Irish Aid (and possibly others) to share information about the financial aspects of their Development Education grants.

Workshop costs:

• IDEA Members: €20

• Non-members: €40

A light lunch will be served from 1:00pm before the workshop starts at 1.30pm. To register for this event please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie .

Plan International: Teachers Handbook and Interactive Student Resources

Tue, 07 Mar 2017 12:43:00 GMT

Plan International Ireland has created a user friendly Teachers Handbook and Interactive Student Resources which are fun and all linked to all aspects of the Primary Education curriculum. The resource contains three modules, with five lessons in each, covering three different global issues aimed at different age groups ranging from 6 – 12 years old. The first module is on Gender and is aimed at 1st – 2nd class, the second module covers issues of Inequality and is for 3rd – 4th class, and the third module is on Migration and Refugees and is tailored to 5th – 6th class.

Find out more and download the handbook and modules here .

Consultant: Code/s of Good Practice for Development Education

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 16:48:00 GMT

IDEA is looking for a consultant to work with IDEA Members to create and pilot a Code/s of Good Practice for Development Education.

Deadline for Application has been extended to 5:00pm Monday, 20 March 2017.

Full terms of reference are available here .

ECO-UNESCO’s Youth Leadership Training

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 16:25:00 GMT

ECO-UNESCO (Clubs) Ireland, as a Key Partner of UNESCO for the implementation of the UNESCO Global Action Programme, is accepting applications for the Flagship UNESCO ‘Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Youth Leadership’ training, which they will be running 21-22 February. As part of the UNESCO Global Action Programme (GAP) the training aims to empower young people to inspire and mobilise others to take action towards a more sustainable and just future. It is a fantastic opportunity for young people to be part of a global network of youth leaders.

Deadline for application is 06 February.

Find out more here

Amnesty International: Rights Sparks Workshops

Wed, 25 Jan 2017 14:24:00 GMT

Amnesty International Ireland' Rights Sparks Programme is offering free Human Rights Education workshops for Primary School teachers. The workshops introduce teachers to a range of Human Rights Education and Development Education methodologies and resources, which can be integrated across the curriculum and encourage the development of skills including literacy and working with others.

Find out more here .

Irish Aid: Our World Awards

Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:08:00 GMT

Irish Aid has launched the 2017 Our World Irish Aid Awards for primary schools across the island of Ireland. This year's theme 'For People and Planet,' invites pupils and teachers to learn about the Global Goals and the work of Irish Aid in partner countries. Deadline for application is 24 March. Find out more here.

LYCS: Globalisation & Inequality Training

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:23:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services are hosting a one-day Development Education training workshop for community activists, workers and educators, from 10:00am – 4:00pm, 23 February. The focus of the day will be rising inequality in Ireland and around the world, its causes and consequences, and what can be done about it.

Find out more here .

Kimmage DSC: Training on the Dóchas Code of Conduct

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:20:00 GMT

Kimmage Development Studies Centre is offering training on the Dóchas Code of Conduct on the Use of Images and Messages, 21 & 22 January, including:

Full details available here .

NYCI: Child Protection Awareness Training

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:17:00 GMT

The National Youth Council of Ireland will be running a Child Protection Awareness course for volunteers and staff members in youth work organisations on 17 February, 10:00am – 2:00pm in the Carmelite Community Centre. This four hour basic awareness course is the standardised child protection training programme for the youth work sector. It will focus on the key issues in relation to child protection.

Find out more here .

Afri: Teacher Training

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:11:00 GMT

Afri are hosting Global Education training for teachers from 11:00am – 3:00pm, 13 February, venue TBC. The workshop will explore participative methodologies suitable for the classroom and how global justice themes can be incorporated into teaching practice. Teacher substitution costs are available.

To find out more contact: 01 8827581 or admin@afri.ie

EIL Intercultural Learning: Global Awareness Programme

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 16:09:00 GMT

EIL Intercultural Learning's Global Awareness Programme (GAP) in partnership with the Global Citizen Award is a training, volunteering and awareness raising project based on 4 of the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Deadline for application is 12:00pm, 09 February.

Find out more here .

LYCS/LASC: Indigenous Voices & the Struggle for Natural Resources

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:56:00 GMT

Lourdes Youth and Community Services, in conjunction with the Latin America Solidarity Centre, are hosting a free workshop for community leaders, activists, environmentalists, artists, singers and anyone interested in development, culture and sustainability, 10:00am – 3:00pm, 31 January, in the Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier St, Dublin 2. It will focus on music and voice and other forms of cultural expression as a means of exploring the belief systems of native and grassroots people from around the world.

Find out more here .

UCDVO: Development Film Series 2017

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:47:00 GMT

UCD Volunteers Overseas are running a Development Film Series with cutting-edge feature documentaries and guest-speakers, 6:00pm, Monday evenings 30 January – 27 February, UCD Cinema, Belfield. The series includes 5 topical feature documentary films on subjects relating to development and global justice issues. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A session with a guest speaker and refreshments.

Find out more here .

WOWC: Promoting the Social Economy

Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:33:00 GMT

Waterford One World Centre (WOWC) is hosting a day of information and exploration of the Social Economy in South-East Ireland, from 10:00am – 3:00pm, 30 January, in the Edmund Rice International Centre, Barrack Street, Waterford Centre.

ActionAid: AFTER Project Launch

Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:20:00 GMT

Join ActionAid Ireland for the launch of the Against FGM Through Empowerment and Rejection (AFTER) Project, with Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Joe McHugh TD on 26 January, 10am-12.30pm.

RSVP to nahid.dabiri@actionaid.org by 16 January.

Crawford College of Art and Design: Spring Workshops

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:36:00 GMT

CIT Crawford College of Art and Design's Creativity and Change programme is offering an exciting range of 1 & 2 day workshops for artists, educators youth and community workers interested in Global citizenship themes this February and March. These include:

ENGAGE///VISUALISE///SHARE, 04 & 05 February with Eimear McNally. Graphic Harvesting and Visual Facilitation: Using visuals to help you think better and make meaning to enhance engagement with Global Citizenship themes.

IMAGE///CAPTURE///ACTIVATE, 18 & 19 February with Declan Sheridan. Explore how to convey powerful Global Justice messages through metaphors and imagery using Photo Image Making & Stop Motion.

ART///TRANSFORMATION///CITIZENSHIP, 03 March with Sheelagh Broderick and Declan MacGonagle. A day of inputs, explorations and conversations about the potential of the artist as a citizen contributing to change in the world.

CONNECT///IMAGINE///CREATE, 04 & 05 March with Susanne Bosch Connecting to imagine and create a better future for our world through meaningful dialogue: Who what and how?

Find out more here .

Crawford College of Art and Design: Regional Creative Fairs

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 16:27:00 GMT

Crawford College of Art and Design's Creativity & Change Programme will be hosting workshops in January for people working in youth, community cultural and education settings who are interested in integrating Global Citizenship/Justice themes into their work. They will include exercises, reflections and discussion, and a creative fair where you can try out a range of activities Dates and venues include:

Find out more here .

Centre for Global Education: Internship

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 12:05:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is calling for applications for an internship supporting publication of their peer-reviewed, open access journal Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review. Now in its 11th year of publication, Policy and Practice aims to widen understanding of the delivery and effectiveness of development education at local and international levels. The internship will be based […]

Centre for Global Education: Consultant

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 10:48:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is calling for tenders for a research consultancy titled ‘Enhancing the Policy Environment for Global Learning’. This aim is to support the Centre for Global Education’s four year Global Learning Programme (GLP) which aims to embed global learning as regular practice in primary, post-primary and special schools in Northern Ireland. It will inform the advocacy work of the GLP by identifying the main challenges to, and opportunities for, further integrating global education as regular practice at all levels of formal education. It will also gather evidence of how global learning is perceived by senior decision-makers and formal sector institutions in Northern Ireland and draw upon exemplars of effective global learning policies in other jurisdictions.

The deadline for the return of tenders is 5pm, Friday, 13 January . Full terms of reference are available here .

Advanced Facilitation Skills Day

Thu, 15 Dec 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 15/12/2016 End Date: 15/12/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

IDEA is hosting a day of workshops on Development Education Facilitation Skills on Thursday, 15 December, 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Our first session of the day, the Advanced Facilitation Skills workshop , is a half-day, hands-on workshop that is intended to build upon the introductory facilitation skills workshop held earlier in the year. This workshop will run from 10am to 1pm. Participants will have the opportunity to try out some active learning methodologies, ask questions and to explore solutions to common problems that arise while facilitating. The workshop will be run by Helena McNeill, the Development Education worker at Lourdes Youth and Community Services. She is the author of Connecting Communities: A Practical Guide to Using Development Education in Community Settings .

Lunch will be from 1pm to 1.45pm.

Our second session of the day (1.45pm to 4pm) will focus on the FairViews Development Education Photo pack . This two-hour workshop will introduce the pack and explore teaching and learning using photographs. As well as promoting innovative teaching and learning, the FairViews photopack supports teachers and facilitators in engaging learners with important themes related to Development Education, human rights and global citizenship. There is a particular focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The team that put FairViews together work in a variety of educational settings and designed the pack as a flexible learning tool. FairViews can be used in primary, secondary and higher education classrooms and with youth, adult and community groups.

The FairViews Photopack will be available on the day to purchase. Price is €20 per pack, cash only please.

Cost:

Members: €25 for each workshop (advanced facilitation skills in morning and FairViews workshop in afternoon) and €40 if you attend both.

Non-members: €60 for each workshop, €80 if you attend both.

To register for the workshops , please email communications@ideaonline.ie . Please specify which workshop you are attending.

Workshop: Supporting Good Practice in Development Education

Wed, 30 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 30/11/2016 End Date: 30/11/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

This workshop will explore the IDEA Good Practice Guidelines, how they are being used, how they can be strengthened, and how their development is supporting and promoting good practice. The potential of Codes of Good Practice will also be explored during the workshop, looking at their usefulness and their limitations for the Development Education sector. It will take place Wednesday, 30 November, 10:30am – 1:30pm in the IDEA Office.

Please register via: communications@ideaonline.ie

IDEA’S DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION CONVERSATION SERIES SESSION #4

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 23/11/2016 End Date: 23/11/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

The last in our Development Education Conversation Series for this year will take place on Wednesday, 23 November, 5:30 – 7:30pm at the IDEA Office. The session will be led by IDEA members Caroline Murphy and Donna McFeely, and will focus on Compassion in Education. We are asking participants to read this piece about Children in Crossfire's Educating the Heart initiative, before the session.

There is no charge for the event and refreshments will be available upon arrival. IDEA members and non-members are welcome. If you would like to attend please email: communications@ideaonline.ie.

ECO UNESCO: Teacher Training

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 11:31:00 GMT

ECO UNESCO is now accepting booking for FREE teacher training. The training will explore links between DE/ESD and the curriculum, with a focus on both subject specific and cross-curricular links highlighting the importance of DE/ESD in the curriculum at both junior and senior cycle. It provides great networking opportunities for teachers, it gives the confidence to deliver DE/ESD and ongoing support through the online learning platform ‘Edmodo’. This will also provide the opportunity to reflect on what opportunities exist for expanding and developing resources to include in lesson plans.

Places are limited, please get in touch to avoid disappointment. Substitution cover and travel expenses are reimbursed.

To book your place please contact: training@ecounesco.ie

Concern: Schools and Youth Programme Coordinator

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 11:03:00 GMT

Concern Worldwide is looking for a Schools and Youth Programme Coordinator to engage and challenge young people in Ireland in the 10-24 year age bracket to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal targets, particularly those most relevant to Concern’s vision and mission.

Deadline for Application is Sunday, 20 November.

Full job description is available here .

Consultant: Exploring Good Practice in Development Education

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 11:42:00 GMT

IDEA is looking for a consultant to identify how good practice in Development Education can be promoted and strengthened, and to explore the use of Codes of Good Practice.

Deadline for Application is 5pm, Monday, 21 November 2016.

Full terms of reference are available here .

Consultant: Development Education in Ireland Report 2016

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 15:49:00 GMT

IDEA is looking for an experienced researcher/writer to carry out work on the Development Education in Ireland Report 2016. This is an annual report that provides an overview of our sector and will illustrate Development Education in Ireland in 2016. It is anticipated that the work will take approximately 5 days to complete.

Deadline for Application is 5pm, Monday, 21 November 2016.

Full terms of reference are available here .

Consultant: Policy Opportunities For Development Education In Formal Education

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 14:50:00 GMT

IDEA is looking for a consultant to map key upcoming policy opportunities for our work relating to curriculum reform and/or educational reform processes, in addition to creating a messaging toolkit based on our submissions and interventions to date.

It is anticipated that the work will take 5 days to complete

Deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm, 11 November 2016.

Full terms of reference are available here .

Consultant: Development Education Partnerships

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 11:53:00 GMT

IDEA is looking for external support to capture, develop and communicate learning about new partnerships between Development Education and other sectors, produce a resource on partnership for the Development Education sector in Ireland, and work with us to develop strategies for future work on partnerships with actors beyond the Development Education sector.

It is anticipated that the work will take approximately 20 days to complete.

Deadline for Application is 5pm, 11 November 2016.

Full terms of reference are available here .

Budgeting Workshop

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 17/10/2016 End Date: 17/10/2016

Event Location: Royal Society of Antiquaries Ireland, Society House, 63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2

This practical workshop will take you through the process of how to create a budget and how to present it within the context of the Irish Aid Development Education Annual Grant guidelines. The event will be facilitated by Aonghus Sammin, Bradán Consulting, who specialises in financial management and strategic planning and is also Chairman of Spunout. To register for this event please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie .

Impact Measurement Workshop Date: Thursday, 13 October Time

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 12/10/2016 End Date: 12/10/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

This practical workshop, Thursday, 13 October, 2:00 – 4:30pm, tackles the challenge of applying 'results-based thinking' to short-term Development Education projects. Using a toolkit developed by IDEA specifically for use with the Results Table in the Irish Aid Annual Grants application form, participants will work step-by-step through each element of the table. By the end of the workshop, participants should have the skills and confidence needed to prepare an effective Results Table. Participants will be given the IDEA toolkit and also will have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up webinar on Thursday, 27 October, 10:30am – 12:00pm. Both the workshop and webinar will be facilitated by Susan Gallwey, Trócaire. To register for this event and the webinar please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie .

Irish Aid Annual Grants Round 2017

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 10:25:00 GMT

The call for Proposals for Irish Aid Development Education Annual Grants 2017 is now open.

The key dates for this year's Irish Aid Annual Grants Round are:

Find out more about the funding and how to apply for it here .

Support for IDEA members for the Irish Aid Annual Grants Round 2017

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 11:17:00 GMT

With the Irish Aid Annual Grants call now open, IDEA is running a number of workshops and webinars over the coming weeks that will be useful for those taking part in this and other grant application processes.

Here are the events and dates to put in your diaries:

Impact Measurement Workshop

Date: Thursday, 13 October

Time: 2:00 – 4:30pm

Venue: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

Facilitator: Susan Gallwey, Trócaire

This practical workshop tackles the challenge of applying 'results-based thinking' to short-term Development Education projects. Using a toolkit developed by IDEA specifically for use with the Results Table in the Irish Aid Annual Grants application form, participants will work step-by-step through each element of the table. By the end of the workshop, participants should have the skills and confidence needed to prepare an effective Results Table. Participants will be given the IDEA toolkit and also will have the opportunity to participate in a follow-up webinar, see below.

To register for this event, please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie .

Budgeting Workshop

Date: Tuesday, 18 October

Time: 2:00 – 4:00pm

Venue: Royal Society of Antiquaries Ireland, Society House, 63 Merrion Square, Dublin 2

Facilitator: Aonghus Sammin, Bradán Consulting

This practical workshop will take you through the process of how to create a budget and how to present it within the context of the Irish Aid Annual Grant guidelines.

To register for this event, please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie .

Webinar: Follow-up to the Impact Measurement Workshop

Date : Thursday, 27 October

Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm

Facilitator: Susan Gallwey, Trócaire

To register for this event, please contact eimear@ideaonline.ie .

Webinar: Annual Grants Clinic

Date: Wednesday, 02 November

Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm

Facilitator: Frank Geary, IDEA

To register for this event, please contact elaine@ideaonline.ie .

Workshop for Development Education in Adult & Community Settings

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 02/10/2016 End Date: 02/10/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

LYCS and FairViews will be holding a workshop day at IDEA during the week of 3 October (date tbc), from 10 am until 3 pm at IDEA. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone working in the Adult and Community Sector (or thinking of doing so) to explore key issues, develop new skills and add some really useful methodologies to their DE Toolbox. The day will consist of a general session on Facilitating DE with Adult & Community Groups in the morning, followed by an afternoon session on using the new FairViews photo pack in Adult & Community settings. More information to follow, but if you are interested please send an email to Helena McNeill, Convenor of IDEA’s Adult and Community Working Group, at deved@lycs.ie so that we can get an idea of the level of interest.

Waterford One World Centre: Social Economy in the South East of Ireland

Thu, 29 Sep 2016 16:39:00 GMT

Waterford One World Centre and the Waterford Area Partnership are hosting a day of information and exploration about the Social Economy in the South East of Ireland.

Join them, along with the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Adam Wyse and keynote speaker Ms. Lynn Boylan, MEP, Tuesday, 18 October, at the Edmund Rice International Heritage Centre, on Barrack St. in Waterford City from 10:00am – 4:00pm. Lunch will be provided by Waterford-based Flavorhaus.

They will be looking at the policy and regulatory structures for Social Economy in Ireland including Social Enterprise, Sharing Programmes and Cooperatives followed by a creative session that will focus on idea generation and solutions to barriers that confront Social Enterprises.

This event is free of charge but registration is essential. Please contact Lucy via lucy@waterfordoneworldcentre.com.

ActionAid: The Price We Pay

Mon, 26 Sep 2016 15:47:00 GMT

Join ActionAid for a screening of The Price We Pay, at 6.30pm, on 17 October to mark World Poverty Day.

This award-winning documentary exposes the world of multinational tax dodging, which deprives developing countries of billions of euro in revenue every year.

ActionAid’s powerful Tax Justice Photo exhibition will be on display from 5.30pm and can be viewed before and after the film screening.

Free tickets and further information available here .

IDEA’S Development Education Conversation Series Session #3

Thu, 22 Sep 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 21/09/2016 End Date: 21/09/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

IDEA’s Development Education Conversation series is starting up again on Thursday 22 September, 5:30 – 7:30 at the IDEA Office. The session will be led by IDEA member Mark Kernan, a writer, commentator and part-time lecturer at UCC, and will focus on Development Education responses to Global Warming. We are asking participants to read an article by Mark, The Unfair Narrative on Global Warming and Development: Why it must be challenged , before the session.

There is no charge for the event and refreshments will be available upon arrival. IDEA members and non-members are welcome. If you would like to attend please email: Eimear@ideaonline.ie.

Trócaire: Youth Group Development Education Workshops

Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:20:00 GMT

Trócaire has an exciting new youth outreach programme for youth groups throughout Ireland, offering tailored global justice workshops to groups with a minimum of 15 young people aged 15 –25.

You can sign up for a Taster Global Justice Workshop – they will facilitate a 2 hour workshop using participative methodologies exploring a chosen global justice issue, such as:

All workshops are provided free of charge though early booking is advised.

To register your interest, email Ellen on ellen.donnelly@trocaire.org or call +353 (0) 1 654 9125.

Find out more here .

IDEA Vacancy: Capacity Development Officer

Thu, 01 Sep 2016 16:28:00 GMT

IDEA, the Irish Development Education Association, is the national network for Development Education in Ireland and a leading voice for the sector. We represent over 70 members involved in the practice, promotion and advancement of Development Education in formal, non-formal and informal settings. Together we work to strengthen Development Education in Ireland and to raise awareness of the crucial role of Development Education in achieving an equal, just and sustainable future.

IDEA is looking to recruit a Capacity Development Officer to coordinate the capacity development and monitoring and evaluation function of the IDEA office. This is a varied role requiring good knowledges of Development Education and related areas, as well as education & training experience. The position is for 3 days per week.

Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) and CVs should be sent by email to: recruitment@ideaonline.ie.

All applications will be dealt with in full confidentiality. Candidates invited for interview will be informed by 30 September.

Deadline for application is 23 September 2016. Full specifications here .

Age Action Ireland: Seminar on Healthy ageing in the Global South

Wed, 17 Aug 2016 16:58:00 GMT

Age Action Ireland are running a half day seminar on Thursday, 13 October, 9am-1pm, Alexander Hotel, 41-47 Fenian Street, Dublin 2. This is an opportunity to explore what healthy ageing looks like for older people in developing countries, particularly the challenges and opportunities going forward in an era of global ageing populations. It will examine this in the context of SDG health goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well being for all, at all ages. It will also look at the measurement of health and well being of older people in the Global South as well as give a practitioner perspective from Tanzania.

Further information available here or else contact Lianne Murphy at 01 4756989 or ageinganddevelopment@ageaction.ie .

Seminar on Rethinking Internationalisation in Higher Education for Global Citizenship

Mon, 15 Aug 2016 11:44:00 GMT

The aim of the seminar is to promote dialogue, sharing and collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the area of Global Citizenship Education. It will focus on the challenges and opportunities that the internationalisation of higher education (IoHE) agenda poses for Global Citizenship Education and will touch on the opportunity to contribute to work on promoting gender and valuing of diverse identities in the context of rising identity-based politics.

What we now term 'internationalisation of higher education' is a phenomenon that has emerged over the last 25 years or so, referring to the process of integrating an international, intercultural, or global dimension into the purpose, functions or delivery of post-secondary education, in order to enhance the quality of education and research for all students and staff, and to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Internationalisation is now driving the reform of higher education. It has become a broad umbrella term that covers many dimensions including credit and degree mobility for students, academic exchange and the search for global talent, curriculum development and learning outcomes, franchise operations and branch campuses, for both cooperation and competition. While the agenda has significant potential benefits (especially its potential to make higher education more inclusive and equitable), it also carries significant risks.

IoHE is being challenged by increasingly profound social, economic and cultural issues, such as the financial crisis, unfavourable demographic trends, hostile reactions to immigration and ethnic and religious tensions. While these challenges represent a threat, they also raise our awareness of the importance of IoHE in developing a meaningful response. There is now a major challenge and opportunity for Global Citizenship Education to position itself as a pillar of ethical or responsible internationalisation and to make a meaningful contribution to work on promoting gender and valuing of diverse identities in the context of rising identity-based politics.

Key questions are:

Join them for what promises to be a rich and challenging conversation amongst a diverse group of researchers, educators and others interested in global justice issues, global citizenship and the role of higher education. The conversation will include Mona Mehta and Clarissa Jordao who are doing exciting work in the areas of teaching, research and activism in India and Brazil.

The event is free but you must register in advance with joanne@suas.ie .

About the facilitators:

Clarissa Menezes Jordão holds a PhD in Literary Education at Universidade Federal do Paraná in Brazil. She currently teaches EFL at undergraduate level and Applied Linguistics at graduate level at UFPR, Brazil. Her main research interests are in the areas of teacher education, critical literacy in EFL and post-structuralist theories on language and meaning-making.

Mona Mehta holds a PhD. in Development Studies and has been working on women's rights and gender equality for many years with Oxfam GB across different parts of the world. She coordinated the We Can Campaign that aimed to transform social attitudes around violence against women. She is currently engaged in programmes aimed at mobilising young people to counter intolerance and violence based on identities (gender, religion, ethnicity, race etc).

Dr Su-ming Khoo teaches and researches at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Her interests include postcolonial development studies, public advocacy and activism, human rights and the ethics of higher education.

Joanne Malone works for Suas Educational Development, which aims to support students to progressively engage with global justice issues through an integrated programme of non-formal learning activities that is currently delivered in 7 higher education institutions in Ireland.

ActionAid: Tax Justice and Campaigning Course

Thu, 11 Aug 2016 14:59:00 GMT

Do you want to challenge the structural causes of poverty and help change the world? Are you passionate about income inequality and motivated to campaign for a fair deal for developing countries? Join ActionAid’s 8 week Tax Justice and Campaigning course!

The participatory course will provide skills and knowledge, which will enable participants to contribute to movements for tax justice and a fairer world. The course will cover the how, who and why of tax justice, including elements of policy, as well as campaigning, advocacy and communications theory and skills.

The course will run for 8 Weeks on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm – 8pm, 13 September – 01 November.

Applications due Thursday the 1st of September – find the application form and further information here .

Job: Facilitators for the Irish Aid Centre

Thu, 21 Jul 2016 10:21:00 GMT

Suas Educational Development is contracted by Irish Aid to provide Facilitation and Public Awareness Services in support of Irish Aid’s Public Awareness Programme. Suas is currently recruiting a panel of facilitators to work as part of a dynamic, diverse team based in the Irish Aid Centre in Clonmel Street, Dublin 2 over the coming year.

Facilitators will work as part of a team to deliver workshops for primary, secondary and third level students, support with public outreach events, respond to public queries and manage the stock and provision of Irish Aid materials.

Deadline for applications is 12:00pm, Monday 15 August 2016.

Further information available here .

Job: External Evaluator of Global Citizen Award

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 09:58:00 GMT

The Global Citizen Award (GCA) is inviting interested persons to tender for an evaluation of the Award programme.

The purpose of this independent research is to determine and outline the quantitative and qualitative successes or otherwise of the Global Citizen Award in achieving its goals and delivering its anticipated outcomes.

The deadline for the receipt of Tenders is Tuesday, 02 August. It is envisaged that the Tender will be awarded shortly after this date and work will commence in August. The final report should be presented no later than Friday 23 September.

Proposals should be sent to Evelyn Power at evelyn@eilireland.org with the subject line Evaluation Tender GCA.

Full details available here .

NYCI: YOUNG VOICES – YOUTH CONSULTATION

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 17:04:00 GMT

The National Youth Council of Ireland and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs want to invite you to a Youth consultation as part of the European wide Structured Dialogue Cycle V theme 'Enabling all young people to engage in a diverse, connected and inclusive Europe'.

WHO? Young people 15 – 30yrs who want to have their voices heard
WHAT? A consultation with young people on issues like 'identity', 'diversity', 'inclusion' and to influence policy at national and European level.
WHEN? July 28th 10.30am to 4pm
WHERE? Pearse St Library, Dublin
WHY? Because young people must be part of these conversations!
HOW? Click here for more info and to secure your place at this event (spaces are limited)

WHATS NEXT? All those attending the consultation can apply to be part of the Irish delegation to the next EU Youth Conference in Slovakia in October.

Reimbursement of travel costs with valid return ticket.

IDEA Vacancy: Finance & Administration Officer

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 16:01:00 GMT

IDEA is looking to recruit a Finance & Administration Officer to coordinate the finance and administration function of the IDEA office. This is a varied role requiring good organisation and multi-tasking skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills and experience. The position is for 4 days per week.

Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) and CVs should be sent by email to: recruitment@ideaonline.ie .

All applications will be dealt with in full confidentiality. Candidates invited for interview will be informed by 15 August.

Deadline for application is 29 July 2016. Full specifications here .

ActionAid Ireland: Free Digital Campaign Training Workshop

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 11:17:00 GMT

ActionAid Ireland is offering free digital campaign training in Sweden from 15 to 19 August for eight people interested in women’s rights, international development and campaigning.

Taking place in Stockholm over five days, the training will be facilitated by ActionAid trainers from Denmark and will focus on digital and online campaigning.

Costs relating to the training including meals, flights from Dublin to Stockholm and accommodation in Stockholm will be funded by EU Erasmus funding.

Deadline for applications is Monday 11 July.

Please find more information and how to apply here .

Plan International Ireland: Development Education Committee

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 16:52:00 GMT

Plan International Ireland is looking for people who are passionate about Development Education to join their Development Education Committee on a voluntary basis.

The role of members is to:

What’s required?
They are looking for committed people to work with them to increase Plan International Ireland’s Development Education capacity:

If you are interested in being a part of the Committee please contact aoife.mcnamara@plan-international.org

Deadline is 11 July 2016.

Inclusion and Exclusion in Global Citizenship Education

Mon, 27 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 26/06/2016 End Date: 26/06/2016

Event Location: Moore Institute for Research in the Humanities and Social Studies
National University of Ireland, Galway,
University Road,
Galway.

The Moore Institute at NUIG , SUAS and IDEA are delighted to invite you to a one-day workshop on Inclusion and Exclusion in Global Citizenship Education. The workshop will be held at the Moore Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, on Monday 27 June, 10:45 am – 3:45 pm.

The aim of the day is to promote dialogue, sharing and collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the area of non-discriminatory Global Citizenship Education, with a particular focus on gender issues, young people, and Southern & postcolonial perspectives. The day will be facilitated by Momodou Sallah, Dalene Swanson and Su Ming Khoo. Artist Eimear McNally will help us to creatively interweave our insights.

Please join us for what promises to be a rich and challenging conversation amongst a diverse group of Global Citizenship Education researchers and practitioners. The event is free but you must register in advance with Susan@ideaonline.ie. We hope to see you on the 27th!

About our facilitators:

Dr Momodou Sallah is Senior Lecturer at De Montfort University, Leicester. His areas of interest and expertise include cultural competency, global youth work, youth participation, diversity, black young people and young Muslims. In November 2015, Momodou was named the ‘most innovative teacher in the UK’ in the Times Higher Education Awards.

Dr Dalene Swanson is a senior academic at the University of Stirling. She is interested in critical global citizenship, postcoloniality, indigenous thought, post-foundational methodologies, dance and mathematics education.

Eimear McNally is an illustrator and facilitator working mainly in the area of live graphic recording and visual facilitation. She has many years of experience in Education for Global Citizenship, and she is passionate about bringing creativity and new ways of seeing into our work and our lives.

NYCI: Certificate in Youth Arts 2016/2017

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:53:00 GMT

The Certificate in Youth Arts is a part time programme of study in Irish Youth Arts Practice, with 6 modules covered over 12 contact days between October and June 2016/2017.

The programme is a partnership initiative of Maynooth University and the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) Arts Programme and leads to an award of the National University of Ireland, placed at Level 7 on the National Qualifications Framework.

The Certificate aims to introduce those working in the non-formal education sector to the concepts, principles and practice of youth arts using a context and practice approach.

Deadline for application is 19 August. Find out more here .

Job: Development Education Officer

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 15:13:00 GMT

Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (DDCI) is looking for a new Development Education Officer to oversea the implementation of an exciting new project funded by WorldWise Global Schools and called 'Grassroots to Government: Embedding financial justice in the Leaving Cert curriculum'.

This is a fixed-term, part-time contract and would suit someone who is knowledgeable about the Leaving Certificate curriculum, has experience of working with teachers and is passionate about Development Education and financial justice.

Closing date for applications is now Sunday, 03 July, and interviews will be held on Monday, 11 July.

Full description and information on how to apply here .

Centre for Global Education: Call for Contributors

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 12:05:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is inviting contributions to Issue 24 of its bi-annual, peer reviewed, open access journal on Development Education titled Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review. The journal has been in production for over ten years, has more than 150,000 readers per annum and is funded by Irish Aid. Issue 24 of the journal will be published in spring 2017 on the theme ‘Development Education Perspectives on Migration’. They are looking for articles that enhance our understanding of the migration issue in local and global contexts and debate how Development Education practice can enhance public understanding of, and positive action on, migrant issues.

Authors interested in submitting an article should send a 300 word précis to journal editor, Stephen McCloskey, e-mail: stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com, by Friday, 16 September 2016.

The submission date for commissioned articles is Friday, 9 December 2016.

Trócaire: Summer Outreach Development Education Workshops

Mon, 20 Jun 2016 16:46:00 GMT

As part of their summer outreach programme Trócaire's Youth team will come to your summer scheme to deliver a 2-3 hour global justice workshop to your youth group.

Workshops are available during June and July for youth groups with a minimum of 15 young people aged 14 –25.

Trócaire’s Youth team will facilitate a 2-3 hour workshop using participative methodologies exploring a chosen global justice issue:

All workshops are provided free of charge though early booking is advised.

To register your interest, email Ellen on ellen.donnelly@trocaire.org or call +353 (0) 1 654 9125.

Find out more.

IDEA AGM and Annual Conference 2016

Fri, 10 Jun 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 09/06/2016 End Date: 09/06/2016

Event Location: Wood Quay Venue,
Dublin City Council Civic Offices,
Wood Quay,
Dublin 8

AGM (members only): 10:00 am

Annual Conference: 11:00 am

The IDEA Annual Conference 2016, Migrating Perspectives, will focus on the role for Development Education in supporting awareness, understanding and action around issues related to migration.

Due to to unforeseen and unavoidable circumstance, our keynote speaker Jay Naidoo will now be unable to join us on the day. However, we have a wonderful panel for you to hear from and engage with in depth to explore how Development Education can respond to migration related issues, including: Salome Mbugua, Vice-Chair European Network of Migrant Women, and Head of Mission at Wezesha, Prof. Eoin Devereux, Assistant Dean for Research in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Limerick, Deo Ladislas Ndakengerwa, Activist, and Mbemba Jabbi, Development Education Practitioner.

Join us for a day of discussion and learning.

Call for Tender for Evaluation of DICE Project

Thu, 09 Jun 2016 16:44:00 GMT

The DICE Project is a national strategic education initiative partnering five institutions involved in initial teacher education (ITE) at primary level, with funding from Irish Aid. The project aims to integrate development education and intercultural education into ITE programmes and across the Primary School Curriculum.

The DICE Project Management Committee and Irish Aid now seeks a consultant to undertake an independent review of the project and its related structures, to evaluate its success in meeting the objectives of the Strategic Plan (2014-16) and to inform the project’s future direction. Please see attached tender document for full details.

Deadline for receipt of tenders: 12pm, 23rd June, 2016 to siobhan.sleeman@dcu.ie

Please note the deadline for receipt of tenders has been extended.

Kimmage DSC: Scholarship to study in 2016

Fri, 03 Jun 2016 15:49:00 GMT

Kimage Development Studies Centre are offering a partial scholarship worth €1,500 to an Irish-based development worker and/or activist who wants to enrol in the full-time MA in Development Studies programme starting this September.

Candidates must: either:

Deadline for applications is 30 June. Find out more here .

Trócaire: Mobilising for Justice Grants Scheme

Fri, 03 Jun 2016 15:28:00 GMT

Trócaire's Mobilising for Justice Grants Scheme offers support to projects in Development Education, Campaigning and Advocacy across the island of Ireland. These projects raise awareness of Ireland’s role in addressing global injustice and poverty.

The Scheme offers grants from €500/£400 for small-scale, local projects, and up to €20,000/£17,000 per year for projects with regional or national impact.

Objectives of the Mobilising for Justice Grants Scheme

Deadline for application is 24 June. Find out more here .

ATD Ireland: Volunteers needed for UN End Poverty Day

Wed, 01 Jun 2016 15:43:00 GMT

All Together in Dignity Ireland are looking for volunteers for their “UN End Poverty Day” Team to run and support activities of the campaign “#WeAreOne to #LeaveNoOneBehind” which will peak in October 2016 around the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

The project will promote the new 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (adopted on 25 September 2015 in New York) and value the contribution to the achievement of these Goals by people living in poverty.

The campaign will include social media campaign and 2 public events on Saturday, 24 September and Monday,17 October. The campaign team will support the preparation and the events of the campaign in September and October 2016.

Find out more here .

Job: Part-Time Promotions and Communications Intern

Thu, 12 May 2016 11:36:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is seeking a Part-Time Promotions and Communications Intern to work on their ongoing education initiative, the Global Learning Programme (GLP). The successful candidate will carry out the following tasks:

The role description is available here . To apply for this internship, please send your CV and a one page cover letter describing how you meet the role criteria by email to orla@centreforglobaleducation.com by 5pm on Wednesday 01 June 2016. If you have any queries please phone Robyn (Mon-Thurs) on 028 9024 1879 or email robyn@centreforglobaleducation.com.

DEAR Concept Note Support Webinar

Thu, 12 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 11/05/2016 End Date: 11/05/2016

Event Location: Online

To support organisations working on a concept note (either as lead partner or co-partner) for the upcoming European Commission DEAR (Development Education and Awareness Raising) Call, IDEA is holding a Support Webinar on Thursday 12 May from 12:00 – 12:50 (GMT). The speaker for the webinar is Alessio Surian. Alessio is based in Padova where he teaches and researches Transformative Learning at the University. He consults the European Commission on Citizenship Education, and on DEAR. He is co-author of the 2010 DEAR study and participates in meetings of the Multi-Stakeholder Group. In the webinar, Alessio will go over the Concept Note form and make suggestions as to how to approach each section. For further information and to receive the log-in link for the webinar, please contact Susan@ideaonline.ie

Development Education: where we’ve been; where we need to go

Tue, 10 May 2016 15:19:00 GMT

This blog was written to stimulate discussion at an Irish Development Education Association seminar in Dublin on 04 May 2016. It is based upon my own thinking about what has been achieved over the past three decades, some trends and patterns I see dominating at the moment (not all positive) and what I feel we need to revisit, recover and re-energise, if we are to have the impact we desire. In a sense, it’s a case of ‘Development Education: back to the future’.

At the core of the argument is a simple yet, for me, hugely important issue – DE gets much of its mandate, its content, its values base and its specificity from its roots in development practice and theory (in that order) locally and internationally. Most of our many successes have been closely associated with that specificity and if we dilute it (or, worse lose it), the rationale for our work is gone. And, I believe our particular character and contribution to education (and development) is ‘at risk’. Revisiting our past, reflecting on it, learning lessons etc., is vital in sustaining the agenda and building further.

I write unapologetically from a non-governmental organisation perspective; that is my background, my passion and my focus. I recognise the need for and value of other DE perspectives – youthwork, adult education, schools, colleges, activism etc.; these add so much to the richness and depth of our trade. However, I feel that the NGO perspective has been weakened and routinely absent from discussion and debate in recent times yet it still has an immediacy, relevance and credibility much needed in DE.

A further note: I am sticking with the term ‘Development Education’ not because I haven’t considered its downsides (I have, and at length) or because I reject other related areas (e.g. human rights education or environmental education etc.; each with its own specific and necessary focus and immediacy) but because DE brings a distinctive contribution and history. And, also because I find other, all-embracing characterisations (especially global education and its variants) far too vague and, I must add, far too ‘academic’ (in the narrowest sense). Attempting to shoe-horn environment, human rights, development, interculturalism etc., into one all-encompassing category (or worse, definition) makes no sense to me.

There are many issues that need highlighting; limitations of time and space allow only a few so I have chosen to focus on 5 arguments. Some of the points I wish to make will sound negative (and, to some extent they are but we do need to face up to them, debate them and learn from them and then move on) – there is much to celebrate and, inevitably much to be critical of. It is not possible in this context to adequately address each issue raised in a nuanced and discursive manner, so some points are made baldly and the need for more considered discussion will have to await another day.

1. DE has had many significant successes and we need to revisit them, learn from them and build further on them

Some that stand out for me include our involvement with the anti-Apartheid campaign (see the chapter on this in Tom Lodge’s masterful Sharpeville); with ‘Central America’ in its many phases and guises (on this, see Dermot Keogh’s work and the Jean Donovan lectures UCC); with the early campaigns on aid and 0.7% (especially the work of the Irish Commission for Justice and Peace) with issues such as Fairtrade and Debt (visit the UCD James Joyce development studies collection for free to access these resources); with the development of CSPE, the Politics and Society curricula and the NCCA Intercultural Education Guidelines ; with the Concern Debates (see Finding Our Voice), Gorta-Self Help Africa’s Young Scientist endeavours in the Science for Development award; the many excellent resources on anti-racism produced by NYCI and DEFY (explore these in the resources library).

Additionally, many DE activists (but by no means all) became directly engaged in ‘local’ issues – the nature and character of Irish ‘development’ and poverty, Northern Ireland, exclusion in the Republic, environment, trade etc. (see ‘Half the Lies are True’, Northern Ireland: A Place Apart, the popular version of Brian Harvey’s work study on Poverty in Ireland for the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust etc.

While DE alone did not raise or promote these issues, it did make a distinctive and measurable contribution to them. But perhaps one of our most abiding contributions was to ‘sell’ Ireland’s ongoing involvement in the Third World to consecutive governments, political parties, educational structures and institutions (and the ‘public’) in addition to convincing Irish Aid (and some NGOs) to stay in the ‘DE game’ when, over many years, voices questioned its relevance.

Central to our engagement with these issues was the legitimacy that ‘overseas’ involvement gave us; in making our arguments, we were able to draw directly on Irish involvement (NGO and governmental) and experience; they provided an immediacy and relevance that added huge value (a good example here would be Trócaire’s Fala Favela). It contributed ‘dirt under our fingernails’ to the public debates, arguments and vigorous disagreements; it went way beyond political theory and perspective and rooted much of our work in a specific ‘reality’. And, it provided a language and currency that the ‘public’ could relate to. Linking DE directly to current issues (and especially their impact on the poor and excluded ‘with whom we work’) is hugely important and, I fear, something that is weakening today with significant potential consequences.

2. A second success involves the very effective and enduring partnerships forged with organisations, structures, movements and professionals over many years.

Looking back to the 60’s and 70’s, DE was overly (and many times negatively) dominated by ‘aid’ NGOs; this routinely limited scope, reach and impact (it also led to hilarious debates on the control of DE – a subject for another day!). However, we were able to transform that equation by building important partnerships with other structures and movements – the trade unions – see, for example Forging Links: Trading Places: You and Your Unions Role in Global Solidarity as mentioned in the Trócaire history of DE; with faith-based groups (see the DE classic It’s Not Fair published by Christian Aid); with curriculum units and networks (City Of Dublin VEC CDU, Shannon Curriculum Centre, the Curriculum Centres in Mary Immaculate college, St Mary’s in Belfast and St. Pat’s in Drumcondra); with specific colleges and universities; with NYCI ; with certain VECs (Limerick, Donegal, Dublin etc.) and adult education groups, with many ‘solidarity’ and campaigning groups etc.

This effectively meant that NGOs no longer mediated the agenda (thus driving it way beyond ‘aid’); significant numbers of people became involved professionally as well as institutionally and the whole agenda was no longer seen simply as one for the ‘converted’.

Partnership is now taken for granted (while often being ignored in reality) but, in my view, its definition has become far too narrow and this is folly; partnership across society ‘at large’ is crucial to our intended objectives – placing primacy on one sector or group is severely and unnecessarily limiting. Emphasising one ‘partnership’ over others; implying that DE and its issues is a ‘youth’ agenda (and primarily ‘youth’ when in school or college) is clearly silly and needs to be directly and robustly challenged.

A related downside of this success has been the significant withdrawal of (too) many NGOs from effective and sustained DE. This has contributed to the creation of a landscape where DE is losing key elements of its rich and diverse roots and where urgent and pressing development and human rights issues are side-lined and where ‘activism’ is deemed inappropriate to DE. The NGO movement (as a whole) needs to rediscover its ‘mojo’ in this regard.

At present the dominant ‘site’ of energy around DE is that of the Irish Aid agenda and its funding modalities; this is not positive for Irish Aid or for DE – it will lead to scenarios witnessed in other countries where government effectively controls the agenda, its priority foci and its politics. An alternate ‘site’ of energy contributed significantly by aid and development NGOs is urgently needed if only to generate and stimulate other, vital agendas. Effectively handing Irish Aid the ‘whip hand’ in DE is folly – the dangers of ‘state capture’ of civil society agendas is discussed in more detail in this article Too much problem solving and not enough mischief making in the journal Africanus (2012).

3. Our success is not without significant weakness

The growth of DE and its accompanying professionalisation in recent times (very narrowly defined as essentially having a ‘degree’ in the area) although necessary has come at a cost. We are now (overly) dominated by academicism (as distinct from effective and informed reflection, research and reading); before engaging we must now have our concepts straight, our theories of change agreed and our research done (and published in the right places and in the right language).

This argument will be interpreted as an attack on academic involvement in our trade – it is not; DE requires a solid research and reflection base but it must not be reduced to the rarefied language and concepts of academic journals and discourse – our primary audience is the public, not each other. Overall, too many of the dominant voices in DE have become those of the academy; too many DE experts (what a ridiculous phrase!) and consultants have very little experience in delivering the trade and it now feels to this old observer that DE fieldworkers have become a rare breed.

The professionalisation of our trade have engendered another obstacle; our work must now be grounded in theory; measured and evaluated, frame worked, assessed and measured ad absurdum. We now spend a disproportionate amount of our time administering DE and, sad to say, those supervising the measuring don’t even agree what our goal is – ‘a radical, informed, active, critical citizenry’; a fundamental critique of those forces creating and sustaining poverty and inequality? I leave you to answer that rhetorical question.

4. We are losing necessary balance

Poor planning, weak and inconsistent delivery, self-indulgence, ‘mickey mouse’ funding; fashions, in-house politics and an ongoing haemorrhage of staff has significantly weakened the balance in our trade. Adult education, youth-based DE, activist DE, trade union or faith-based DE, our partnership with the women’s movement etc., are now significantly constrained and limited and we are in danger of reducing human rights and human development to being a syllabus or curriculum responsibility (never mind the extra-curricular) – schools and colleges are now ‘the answer’ – this is unfair and unreasonable and does not stand up to scrutiny. This point will be interpreted as an argument against schools and formal sector work – it is not. It is a plea for significantly better balance in the spread, impact and societal base of our work.

In the course of the recent GENE review and subsequent Irish Aid focussed discussions, there has been insufficient conversation and debate on adult, youth, community, sector-specific ‘public’ education and activism and this needs to be challenged. The language and concepts now underpinning the dominant conversation on DE are in danger of becoming far too narrow and limited with significant dangers for the future. The conversation flips all to easily between DE, curriculum, young people, schools as if this was our core agenda – it is not; our core agenda remains global inequality, poverty and hunger, women’s rights etc., all viewed and pursued through an appropriate, robust and informed educational ‘lens’. It is not (primarily) about the next planned syllabus reconfiguration.

5. We need to rediscover and re-energise DE’s mojo – educationally sound activism

We have much to be proud of; we have come a long way from our Cinderella phase; we have had many successes (which urgently need documenting!); we have grown as a movement and the quality and quantity of our work has hugely (but not always) improved.

Our understanding of educational needs and processes has deepened considerably (perhaps more so than our understanding of development and human rights issues?) and we have a considerable body of practice to build on.

But…and the but is important, it seems to me we have lost some of our passion, our anger and our activism.

Author: Colm Regan. Colm is researcher, writer (and co-founder) with developmenteducation.ie based on Gozo, Malta, co-editor of 80:20 Development in an Unequal World – a popular reader in Development Education issues now in its 6th edition and former co-ordinator of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World.

This blog post first appeared on developmenteducation.ie

IDEA’S DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION CONVERSATION SERIES SESSION #2

Wed, 04 May 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 03/05/2016 End Date: 03/05/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office
6 Gardiner Row
Dublin 1

IDEA is running a series of Development Education Conversations throughout 2016. These are informal evening sessions, providing the opportunity for anyone interested in Development Education to explore various aspects of Development Education theory and practice. Each conversation is led by a guest convenor, who will choose a theme and select an article for participants to read prior to the session.

The second session in our Development Education conversation series will be convened by Colm Regan on Development Education: where we've been and where we need to be . Colm, who is the co-founder of 80:20 Educating and Acting for a Better World and of developmenteducation.ie, has been a key thinker and activist for Development Education in Ireland for nearly 40 years. This event will take place on Wednesday, 4 May, 5:30 – 7:30 pm in the IDEA Office.

For more details or to register email: susan@ideaonline.ie

Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review

Tue, 03 May 2016 20:47:00 GMT

Issue 22 of the Centre for Global Education's journal, Policy & Practice: A Development Education Review , has been published on the theme ‘New Models of Development: Lessons from Latin America’ . It considers the lessons that development educators can draw from the new approaches to development adopted by many of the leading economies in Latin America. This issue contains enlightening case studies from the region that are rooted in development education practice and methodologies and will hopefully prove inspirational and beneficial to our readers.

You can access the new issue and the entire archive here .

IDEA’s Development Education Conversation Series Session #1

Tue, 19 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 18/04/2016 End Date: 18/04/2016

Event Location: IDEA Offices,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1

IDEA will be running a series of Development Education Conversations throughout 2016. These will be informal evening sessions, providing the opportunity for anyone interested in Development Education to explore various aspects of Development Education theory and practice. Each conversation will be led by a guest convenor, who will choose a theme and select an article for participants to read prior to the session.

We are delighted to announce that our first session will take place on Tuesday, 19 April, 5:30 – 7:30 pm in the IDEA Office and will be convened by Maria Barry, PhD fellow at the Centre for Human Rights & Citizenship Education, St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. Maria will be exploring the theme of Global Citizenship Education, and is asking participants to read ‘What is global education and where is it taking us’? by Alex Standish (The Curriculum Journal, 25:2, 2014). Copies of the article are available from IDEA upon registration.

The event is free and we welcome anyone with an interest in the topic.

For more information and to register, please contact susan@ideaonline.ie

Development Education Facilitation Skills: A Practical Introduction

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 22/03/2016 End Date: 22/03/2016

Event Location: IDEA Offices,
6 Gardiner Row.
Dublin 1

This half-day, hands-on workshop will build the skills and confidence needed to prepare and deliver a good Development Education workshop in which all participants learn with and from each other. The workshop is aimed at those who are new to Development Education and also for anyone who would like to reflect on, refresh and revitalise their Development Education practice. Participants will have the opportunity to try out some active learning methodologies, and to explore how these can be used in a wide range of educational settings to increase understanding of local and global development issues and to empower people to take effective actions for equality and justice.

Helena McNeill is the Development Education worker at Lourdes Youth and Community Services . She is the author of Connecting Communities: A Practical Guide to Using Development Education in Community Settings.

Workshop is €25 for members (concessions available) and €60 for non-members.

Time: 10:30 – 13:00

To register for the workshop, please email Susan@ideaonline.ie

IDEA Good Governance Webinar

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 15/03/2016 End Date: 15/03/2016

Event Location: Online

Is your organisation working towards compliance with the Governance Code ? If so, you may be interested in joining IDEA’s Good Governance Group.

The group meets informally to provide peer support for IDEA members working on governance issues, to share resources (policy templates, etc), and to hold training sessions addressing identified needs. We are holding our first webinar of 2016 on Tuesday 15 March, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m .

During this webinar, we will: check in on where people currently are on the ‘code compliance journey’, address any questions on the Code, and identify topics for training. We welcome all members who are interested in improving governance in their organisations.

For further information or to receive the log-in link for the webinar email: susan@ideaonline.ie.

Job: External Evaluator of Development Education Programme

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 12:51:00 GMT

Gorta-Self Help Africa is seeking an external facilitator to measure the effectiveness, overall impact and the extent to which expected outcomes or otherwise of the Development Education programme have been achieved. The evaluation will also identify the lessons learned from the programme and make recommendations for future delivery of Development Education within the post-primary, and also in adult and community education. It will explore the achievements, challenges, effectiveness, relevance and efficiency of the programme.

The contract is for 12-15 working days and the closing date for submission of tenders is 30 March 2016.

Find out more here .

Policy and Practice Issue 23: Call for Contributors

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 12:36:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is inviting contributions to Issue 23 of its bi-annual, peer reviewed, open access journal on development education titled Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review. The theme of this issue is ‘Development Education in the Formal Education Sector’ and will explore the challenges to and opportunities for global learning in schools. We are inviting articles that explore how Development Education is taught in pre-, primary and post-primary education, particularly contributions examining new approaches to global learning and pupil engagement.

Authors interested in submitting an article should send a 300 word précis to journal editor, Stephen McCloskey, email: stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com by Friday, 15 April 2016 .

The submission date for commissioned articles is Friday, 01 July 2016 .

WorldWise Global Schools Grant Call 2015-2016

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 16:54:00 GMT

This call is now open to organisations working with post-primary schools and school networks on Development Education. Irish Aid’s WorldWise Global Schools aims to increase the engagement of teachers and students with Development Education through a coherent approach that targets not only post-primary schools but also school networks and NGOs working with schools. Full details are available here , by emailing info@worldwiseschools.ie or by calling 01 6852078.

Deadline: 08 April 2016

There will be a Grant Application Workshop in the WorldWise Global Schools offices, Kingsbridge House, 17-22 Parkgate Street from 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Thursday,10 March. To register to attend the workshop, please contact laura.cahill@worldwiseschools.ie or call 01 5547447.

LYCS FETAC Level 6 Course in Global Development

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 15:18:00 GMT

The course will involve exploring and questioning what development is, how to evaluate development, and what are some of the root causes of the many development challenges facing the world today. It invites you to consider how issues such as runaway inequality, poverty, climate change, hunger and conflict can be addressed and a more equal and sustainable world can be achieved? If you are interested in human rights, community, sustainability, social justice, culture, inequality, neo-liberalism, colonialism and other topics relating to human development here and around the globe, then this course will be of interest to you.

It aims to equip people with the ability to think about global development issues in a critical way. It is particularly targeted at people involved in community organizations and groups and will enable them to bring a global development perspective to their work and lives.

The accredited course will consist of 6 full days of study (approx. 10am-4.30pm on weekdays) plus assignments. The training dates are:

Day 1

Tuesday 15 March 2016

Day 2

Wednesday 16 March

Day 3

Tuesday 12 April

Day 4

Tuesday 26 April

Day 5

Tuesday 10 May

Day 6

Tuesday 17 May

Location: Dublin City Centre, venue TBC

Cost: There is a charge of €50. There are bursaries available if the cost is an issue

Please contact: Helena or Rachel at deved@lycs.ie or rachel.dempsey@lycs.ie asap for an application form

Find out more about training dates and other details here .

Tender: Scoping Study on Best Practices in Providing Quality Education in Development Contexts

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:45:00 GMT

Plan International Ireland is looking for a consultant to refresh its thinking and strategies in relation to best practices, gaps and/or innovations in the education sector, particularly relevant to girls and children with disabilities. This scoping study will also map other actors in the sector, and potential partners, within Ireland and the Plan International Federation. Specifically, it is expected to inform and make recommendations to support the development of a new education programme.

To apply: Send CV with a cover letter that indicates availability to HR@plan.ie.

To discuss the role in confidence feel free to call Barbara Scettri, Development Co-ordinator, on 01 6599 601.

Deadline for application is 19 February. Find out more…

Job Vacancy: Global Learning Programme Co-ordinator

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 10:31:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is advertising the post of Global Learning Programme Co-ordinator which is a Job Share: 17.5 hours, £39,000 pro rata plus NIC and pension, 9 months, Part-Time. The successful candidate will job share the position of Global Learning Programme (GLP) Co-ordinator in the Centre for Global Education, Belfast. The post will focus […]

GLEN Multiplier Training Cycle

Tue, 09 Feb 2016 16:47:00 GMT

As a member of the Global Education Network of Young Europeans (GLEN), Development Perspectives is offering two places on the GLEN Multiplier Training Cycle which consists of training seminars, an internship and a “practical phase” in which participants use the new experience and skills gained to carry out global education activities.

The uniqueness of GLEN’s training offer lies in the combination of

The Deadline for Application has been extended to the 15 February. Find out more here and download the application form here .

Return completed applications to deborah@developmentperspectives.ie or by post to Development Perspectives, Barlow House, Narrow West Street, Drogheda, Co.
Louth

Global Citizenship in Higher Education conference

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 14:39:00 GMT

Suas Educational Development, Campus Engage, Kimmage DSC and Comhlámh are organising a Global Citizenship in Higher Education conference, Tuesday, 23 February, to bring together students, student societies, academics, civic engagement staff, student unions and NGOs and all those who are interested in promoting Global Citizenship in higher education.

You'll have the opportunity to hear from leading academic, Doug Bourn, on the place for Global Citizenship in higher education. There will also be presentations and workshops by a range of actors involved in Global Citizenship work on campus in Ireland and Europe.

Find out more here .

ActionAid: Free Tax Justice and Campaigning Training

Wed, 03 Feb 2016 14:26:00 GMT

Do you want to change the world and help end poverty? Are you passionate about income inequality and motivated to campaign for a fair deal for developing countries? Join ActionAid's free tax justice campaign training in Dublin!

The participatory training will encompass campaigning skills, communications skills and knowledge sharing on tax justice. It will take place from 10am – 5pm on Saturday, 27 February in association with the Adult Learner’s Festival. Free lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Find out more and apply here .

Healthy Eating without Costing the Earth

Tue, 02 Feb 2016 14:31:00 GMT

Healthy Eating without Costing the Earth is a free half-day workshop organised by the Centre for Global Education for Tuesday, 22 March from 10am to 3pm. It will increase awareness of sustainable food and the global food system using fun, engaging and participative methodologies. The facilitator is Rachel Dempsey of Lourdes Youth and Community Services and the venue is the Centre for Global Education, 9 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1FY. Tel: 0044 2890241879.

Participation is free but registration essential by e-mailing stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com .

Women of the World

Thu, 28 Jan 2016 14:38:00 GMT

This free training from Lourdes Youth and Community Services (LYCS) will introduce women community workers, activists and educators to global development issues and how they impact women, to build their understanding of the links between local and global issues and develop their capacity to take action around the issues.

The course will enable you to:

Find out more here

UCDVO Development Film Series 2016

Wed, 27 Jan 2016 14:48:00 GMT

The fourth UCDVO Development Film Series will take place in the UCD Student Centre Cinema in February 2016. They have an exciting line up of 5 cutting edge films and guest-speakers who will lead a Q&A session after each screening. Films are being screened every Monday at 6pm, starting on the 1st of February until the 29th of February 2016.

Find out more here .

Volunteer with EILExplore’s Global Awareness Programme

Sun, 24 Jan 2016 15:02:00 GMT

EILExplore's Global Awareness Programme (GAP) in partnership with the Global Citizen Award are offering the opportunity to volunteer for 8 weeks in a global goals-based project on an Quality Education, Good Health, Gender Equality or Life on Land placement in Thailand, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala or South Africa. The deadline is 09 February.

Find out more here .

Seminar on consultation process re Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 19/01/2016 End Date: 19/01/2016

Event Location: IDEA Office,
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1.

IDEA's Formal Education Working Group invites you to attend an NCCA facilitated seminar on the consultation process regarding proposals for the new primary curriculum on Education about Religions and Beliefs (ERB) and Ethics on Tuesday 19 January, 10:30am-1pm in the IDEA offices, 6 Gardiner Row.

ERB and Ethics aims to foster a respect, understanding and empathy for members of diverse religions, beliefs and world views, with values rooted in human rights. Currently no state curriculum exists, at primary level, which specifically supports a child’s development in the areas of religions, beliefs and ethics. Ireland is quite unique in this regard. The proposal is for the development of a curriculum for ERB and Ethics for all children attending primary schools in the Republic of Ireland.

Places are limited so please RSVP by lunchtime Monday 18 January to: mella.cusack@gmail.com

We recommend that you read the ERB and Ethics consultation paper in advance of the event.

Global Learning opportunity for schools

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 11:23:00 GMT

website

glp@centreforglobaleducation.com

Development Perspectives Insight 2016 Programme

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:36:00 GMT

Development Perspectives are currently recruiting people to take part in their Insight 2016 programme – an educational programme for adults who want to learn more about the world around them and who want to make the world a fairer, more just, sustainable place.

It consists of three phases: The pre-departure phase consists of team building exercises, an introduction to development, debates, discussions and talks from a variety of speakers involved in the development field. The second phase takes place overseas with a partner organisation, which gives participants the chance to examine development in the context of another country. During the overseas phase participants work within a local community on a project chosen by the local people. Local development activists are invited to facilitate workshops that provide a better idea of the reality on the ground for people living in that community. Experiential and active learning forms an important part of Development Perspectives work highlighting the value of learning through theory and practice. During the final phase participants are encouraged to utilise their learning to become active global citizens within their own community. Participants from the partner organisation are given the opportunity of a reciprocal visit to Ireland to contribute to this phase.

Deadline for applications is 12 February!

Find out more here .

Trócaire: Youth Group Development Education Workshops

Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:15:00 GMT

Trócaire has an exciting new youth outreach programme to offer youth groups throughout Ireland. From January they are offering tailored global justice workshops to groups with a minimum of 15 young people aged 15 –25.

They will facilitate a 2 hour workshop using participative methodologies exploring a chosen global justice issue;

All workshops are provided free of charge though early booking is advised.

To register your interest, email Ellen on ellen.donnelly@trocaire.org or call +353 (0) 1 654 9125. Find out more here .

Webinar on European Funding Opportunities

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 07/12/2015 End Date: 09/12/2015

Event Location: online, contact susan@ideaonline.ie for log-on details.

This webinar, taking place on Tuesday 8 December 12:00 to 13:00 GMT will provide an overview of the current European funding landscape for Development Education. IDEA Director Frank Geary will introduce the topic and will be joined by Maarten Coertjens, Advocacy Officer at DEEEP. Maarten will provide us with updates and latest thinking around the anticipated European Commission DEAR (Development Education and Awareness Raising) calls. European funding represents a significant opportunity for Irish organisations, but developments in this area can be complex and difficult to follow, so log on to our webinar and learn more about what is coming down the pipeline in 2016. To receive the log-in link, please email susan@ideaonline.ie

Austerity Workshop for Development Education Practitioners

Thu, 03 Dec 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 03/12/2015 End Date: 03/12/2015

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

IDEA’s Community Sector Working Group is running an Austerity Workshop on Thursday 3 December at the IDEA offices, from 10:00 (coffee and registration at 9:30) until 1:00. The workshop will:

The workshop is suitable for anyone engaged in any level of development education and wishes to know more about the connectedness of local and global debt issues. The workshop is FREE but you need to register in advance with susan@ideaonline.ie so that we have a sense of numbers. A light lunch will be provided after the workshop.

Event: How can we work together to achieve the SDGs?

Thu, 26 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 26/11/2015 End Date: 26/11/2015

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

If you're an NGO or Civil Society actor join us on the 26 November, 17:30 – 19:30, for a workshop led by our Young Global Advocates on the Sustainable Development Goal agenda. You'll have the opportunity to examine the relevance of the SDGs to your social justice work whether in Ireland or abroad, along with possibilities to network with other civil society actors to discuss possible collaboration in your work towards social justice

The Programme will include:

– Presentation of the Challenging the Crisis Youth Survey results

– An interactive exercise between NGOs and CSOs to think about collaboration in light of the SDG and the agenda of ‘universality’

– A discussion with IDEA Young Global Advocates about their future engagement in development education and campaigns after the ‘Challenging the Crisis’ project ends in April 2016

To register contact: youth@ideaonline.ie

Plan Ireland: Sports for Disability Inclusion and Awareness Training

Tue, 24 Nov 2015 14:28:00 GMT

Plan International Ireland in collaboration with the CARA Centre and UNESCO/IT Tralee are facilitating a one day training on Saturday 12 December. This training will exam the perceptions of people with disabilities and barriers that may prevent their inclusion in society, from a local and global perspective. It will also offer practical games that are inclusive of people with disabilities that can be used in all Youth Clubs. If you are 18 years or older, a Youth Leader or Volunteer and with a Youth organisation this training should not be missed.

The event also marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2015: Inclusion matters: access and empowerment of people of all abilities .

Venue: Inchicore Community Sports Centre, Off Bulfin Road, St Michaels Estate, Dublin 8. Take the LUAS Red Line to Golden Bridge Stop or Dublin Bus No. 40 or 13.

Cost: Free

Time: 10am-4.30pm

Lunch will be provided.

Places are limited so register early to avoid disappointment.

For more information and to register please contact Rebecca on 086-8823765 or email Rebecca.ohalloran@plan-international.org

Concern: Launch of Photo Pack and Development Education Masterclass

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 11:54:00 GMT

Michael.doorly@concern.net

Global School Room: 2016 Tutor Applications

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 11:21:00 GMT

Are you or anyone you know looking for something really worthwhile to do in Summer 2016? Why not volunteer with Global Schoolroom, and support sustainable development in Education in marginalised communities. You could become part of their UCD accredited Teacher Training programme & travel to India next Summer!

The deadline for applications is Friday, 20 November. Alumni are welcome to send their expression of interest to info@globalschoolroom.net if they have volunteered in the last 2 years. If it's been more than 2 years, please complete a new application form available on their website .

Interviews will be held in Dublin in early December and applicants will be notified by Christmas.

NYCI: One World Week 14 – 22 November

Sat, 14 Nov 2015 11:29:00 GMT

One World Week 2015 is running from 14 – 22 November and…it is all go!!

The Change the World: YOUth Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals will take place in the RDS on Thursday, 19 November. Participants will have the opportunity to We will look at the new Goals through the context of the 5Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. They’ll also address the issue of youth participation – the silent P. There will be a special emphasis on migration and refugees throughout the day and the conference will also address the European Year for Development and Ireland’s 60 year of UN membership. Find out more here .

One World Week Trainings are taking place in Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Galway, Carlow, Louth, Wexford, Tipperary, Kerry, Wicklow, and Clare.

One World Week Mini Grants events and activities are being run in Cork, Donegal, Galway, Wexford, Dublin, Meath, Limerick, Kildare, Leitrim, Cavan, and Wicklow.

One World Week Resource Pack will be available he re shortly.

Find out more details about One World Week here .

Communications Workshop: How to Communicate Development and Development Education issues and project

Thu, 12 Nov 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 12/11/2015 End Date: 12/11/2015

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

As part of the European Year for Development 2015, the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) and the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), are hosting a workshop for non-communications professionals and young people working on or interested in communicating about Development and Development Education issues and projects. The workshop will be facilitated by global media expert Helen Shaw of Athena Media. Join us on Thursday, 12 November, 10:00am – 1:30pm in the IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1. To register or find out more contact: eimear@ideaonline.ie.

Support for IDEA members re Irish Aid Annual Grants Round

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:12:00 GMT

With the Irish Aid Annual Grants call opening in early October, IDEA is running a number of events to support our members. We will be holding a workshop on Strengthening the ‘Results’ element in DE project planning and bid-writing on Tuesday 13 October, 10:00 – 1:00pm at the IDEA office . On Tuesday 20 October, 11:30 – 12:30pm we will be holding a webinar that will guide you through the Annual Grants application form, section by section. On Tuesday 27 October 3:00 – 4:00 pm we will hold a webinar concentrating specifically on governance issues within the application form. And finally on Tuesday 3 November, 1:30 – 4:30 pm at the IDEA office , we will hold a clinic for applicants to get together with IDEA staff to discuss specific questions arising from the application form.

The Results Workshop costs €25 for members and €50 for non-members. Concessions are available for members. The webinar and application clinic are free but are open to IDEA members only. For more information and to register, please contact Susan@ideaonline.ie .

Invitation to Tender for a Research Report

Wed, 28 Oct 2015 11:11:00 GMT

IDEA is seeking tenders for the production of a pilot version of a ‘State of Development Education in Ireland’ annual report. This report will provide an overview of our sector and will illustrate the impact of Development Education in Ireland. We are looking for an experienced researcher/writer to carry out this work. For details please see the Terms of Reference .

Deadline for submission of tenders: Wednesday 11 November

Irish Aid: Annual Development Education Grants Round 2016

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:41:00 GMT

The call for Proposals for Irish Aid Development Education Annual Grants (DE) 2016 opened on 8 October and closed on 22 October. Development Education funding aims to increase awareness and understanding of global development issues among the public in Ireland.

Grants are allocated in the range of €10,000 and €200,000 for a period of one year.

Find out more about the funding and how to apply for it here .

LYCS: Think Global Eat Local

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:37:00 GMT

Join Lourdes Youth and Community Services for a free, one-day networking forum on 8 December 2015 in Dublin (venue TBC) to gain and share ideas for taking action to increase access to healthy, sustainable food at a local level.

Highlights include:

Find out more…

Are we Changing the World? Development Education, Activism and Social Change

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 10:15:00 GMT

This report on a workshop organised by the Centre for Global Education in September supports reflection and debate on how development educators engage the public on international development issues. The workshop posed the question ‘how effective are we as development educators and development practitioners in incorporating the action component into the planning and delivery of our […]

Monitoring Workshops

Tue, 06 Oct 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 05/10/2015 End Date: 07/10/2015

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, and Comhlámh Offices, 12 Parliament St, Dublin 2

As part of our work on measuring the impact of Development Education, IDEA is delighted to be working with Comhlámh and Dóchas to host a set of two participatory workshops on Monitoring in Development and Development Education. Workshop one, which will be held on Tuesday, 6 October 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm at the IDEA office, will be aimed at CEOs, Directors and Board Members and will focus on the benefits that good monitoring practices can bring to an organisation.

Workshop two, which will be held on Thursday, 8 October, 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm at the Comhlámh office, will be aimed at Development and Development Education practitioners, and will focus on concepts and tools for monitoring. The workshops will be facilitated by Out of the Box and will be held at the Comhlámh offices, 12 Parliament St, Dublin 2.

Please contact Philip Mudge at Comhlámh, via philip@comhlamh.org if you are interested in attending or you can contact Susan via susan@ideaonline.ie if you would like more information.

Dublin Food Co-op: Cooperative Fair

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:43:00 GMT

Dublin Food Co-op is holding a Co-operative Fair on 26 October at 12 Newmarket, Dublin 8, from 11am – 4pm. The event is one of the 20 workshops and conferences being held across Ireland as part of the 20th Convergence Festival. This will be a family friendly day full of activities including networking, stalls, talks, workshops and facilitated conversations on the topic of a co-operative approach to meeting our needs.

Speakers include Hannah Barrett, Frontline Project Officer with the Plunkett Foundation, Kate Ruddock, Friends of the Earth, Davie Philip, Cloughjordan Ecovillage, the Young Global Advocates from the Challenging the Crisis campaign, Jo Bird, Cooperative Alternatives Northern Ireland, and many more.

If you have a workshop or talk to offer or if you would like more information contact Davie at davie@cultivate.ie.

Find out more!

Youth for Sustainable Development and the Global Action Programme

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:42:00 GMT

Join ECO-UNESCO on the 1 October,10.00pm – 3.30pm in St. Andrews Recourse Centre in Pearse Street, Dublin 2 to celebrate the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals and start taking action. It is open to all including young people, those working with young people, and Education for Sustainable Development/Development Education practitioners.

The event is part of ECO-UNESCO’s work as a Key Partner in the Global Action Programme (GAP), UNESCO’s International implementation programme for Education Sustainable Development under Key Priority Action 4 – Mobilising and Empowering Young People.

The aim is to contribute to your understanding of the Global Action Programme and specific Sustainable Development Goals by bringing together young people and professionals in the field to take part in a world café style exploration. You will have the opportunity to discuss the five sustainable development goals that most impact the environment and biodiversity. Participants will be guided through this exploration using methodologies that will empower you to take action on the Goals.

Message of Support from President Michael D. Higgins for #LightTheWay

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 22:46:00 GMT

May I congratulate all of you for gathering in Ireland today on this Global Day of Action which has been organised, a message of hope, urgency and action to the Heads of State who will gather at the United Nations in New York tomorrow in order to agree the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Tomorrow the world’s decision-makers will agree what we all hope will be an ambitious but achievable plan of action for our people, our planet and our welfare, a plan that will seek to strengthen universal peace and by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions.

It is my hope that by 2030, we will look back on the 25 ^th September 2015 as a decisive moment in global history; a moment when the nations of the world united to secure peace, to deliver freedom, equality and human rights for all and to eradicate poverty and hunger, to achieve a human flourishing in a sustainable and peaceful planet in all its diversity.

It is the challenge for all of us – elected representatives, NGO workers, students, activists and concerned citizens – over the next fifteen years, to use whatever means we have at our disposal to continue to hold governments to account, to press for implementation and ensure that decisions are truly based on the needs of the people, and particularly those who are marginalised and most vulnerable, our sisters and brothers in the human family worldwide.

It is the task of all of us to ensure that governments genuinely implement the post-2015 sustainable development agenda and the interlinked climate action plan that will emerge from COP21 this December in Paris, and that they put monitoring in place that will enable us all to turn the agreements into a reality for this and future generations.

Today’s gathering is an important and inspiring one; an act of global solidarity, a gathering which gives us all confidence and hope that, with the support of engaged citizens around the world we will, in fifteen years time, stand up and declare with one global voice that ‘we have truly transformed the world.’

Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir

Michael D. Higgins

Uachtarán na hÉireann

President of Ireland

Ireland joins world in Lighting the Way for Global Goals Summit

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 21:19:00 GMT

Over 150 people from all walks of life gathered on the Millennium Bridge in Dublin at 8:00pm to join citizens around the world in calling on governments to commit to the new Sustainable Development Goals and tackle the most urgent issues of our time – poverty, inequality and climate change.

The event was one of over 150 taking place in cities globally as part of action/2015’s #LightTheWay action ahead of the historic gathering of world leaders in New York, on 25 September, for the adoption of the Global Sustainable Development Goals.

Ireland has played a key role in the process of negotiating these new “Global Goals”, acting as co-facilitators with Kenya of the high level international negotiations in New York over the past year.

In a message of support the President Michael D. Higgins said: “It is my hope that by 2030, we will look back on the 25 September 2015 as a decisive moment in global history. It is the task of all of us – elected representatives, NGO workers, students, activists and concerned citizens – to ensure that governments genuinely implement the post-2015 sustainable development agenda and the interlinked climate action plan that will emerge from COP21 this December in Paris, and that they put monitoring in place that will enable us all to turn the agreements into a reality for this and future generations.”

The Minister for Overseas Development, Trade, and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock TD said: “The new Sustainable Development Goals can mark a turning point for humanity. They provide us with a comprehensive plan for a fairer world for all, while caring for and protecting our planet. I am immensely proud of Ireland’s role in this process – as co-chairs (with Kenya) of the final negotiations. The new Goals were informed by citizens of many countries; and it is only through continued citizen engagement that the Sustainable Development Goals will be achieved. I am therefore delighted to see so many gathered at this Light The Way event. I join you in welcoming the Sustainable Development Goals, and calling for their full implementation.”

Eoin O’Liathain, one of Ireland’s first ever UN Youth Delegates who will participate in the UN Summit in New York said: “These new global goals affect and unite us all. Their adoption is a momentous and proud moment in world history. For a planet where more than half of the world's population is under 30 years old, young people in particular will have an essential role in bringing about the transformative change which the goals promise. Failure to act will have grave consequences for all our futures. These new goals are lighting the way forward, everyone must work to make them a reality.”

Speaking on behalf of the coalition who organised the event, Robin Hanan, Director of the European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland, said: “We are on the brink of something historic. This is a once-in-a-generation agreement to tackle the most pressing issues of our time, poverty, inequality and climate change. It is crucial that our leaders commit to these Goals and take urgent action to deliver an equal, safe and secure future for all citizens both here in Ireland and worldwide.’’

The #LightTheWay action involved tens of thousands of people and was backed by high profile figures such as Desmond Tutu, Malala Yousafzai, and Stephen Hawking. Events took place around the world throughout the day. The gathering in Dublin was the last in Europe before the final light show `under one sky’ in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, a stone’s throw from the UN building in New York.

See the full message from President Michael D. Higgins here

Members of the coalition supporting #LightThe Way include: Dóchas, Irish Development Education Association (IDEA), Challenging the Crisis, Trócaire, Oxfam, the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI), All Together in Dignity (ATD) Ireland, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland, Age Action Ireland, Comhlámh, Claiming our Future, 350.org, People's Climate Ireland, Just Forests, Shamrock Spring, Amawele Ireland, Tearfund, WorldWise Global Schools, and Global Schoolroom.

Partnerships for Development Education in the Adult and Community Sector: An Exploratory Workshop

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 23/09/2015 End Date: 23/09/2015

Event Location: IDEA Offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

Partnership is a word that comes up frequently when discussing how we might further integrate Development Education into the Adult & Community Sectors. But what exactly do we mean when we talk about collaborations and partnerships? And how can we build effective partnerships that will help us to achieve our goals? IDEA and the Community Sector Working Group invites all interested IDEA members to attend a workshop that will explore partnerships within the specific context of IDEA's Draft Strategy for Development Education in Adult and Community Education, and will enable Working Group members to take the first steps in setting up mutually beneficial partnerships.

The workshop will be facilitated by Kieran Murphy of Wholestory and take place Thursday, 24 September, 9:30 – 1:00 at the IDEA office.

Please contact Susan via susan@ideaonline.ie if you would like to attend.

Child Protection Awareness Training

Tue, 15 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 14/09/2015 End Date: 14/09/2015

Event Location: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

As we all know, Child Protection is an essential aspect of good governance. On Tuesday, 15 September, 10:30pm – 3:00pm, IDEA is offering Child Protection Awareness Training. This training is certified by the National Youth Council of Ireland. The training is free but spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please contact Susan via susan@ideaonline.ie as soon as possible if you would like to attend.

NOTE: If you are interested in more in-depth training in Child Protection, Comhlámh is running a Child Safeguarding Training which will be delivered on-line and face-to-face over an 8 month period. Comhlámh have kindly offered places to IDEA members. For more information please contact philip@comhlamh.org .

Living Good Governance

Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 09/09/2015 End Date: 09/09/2015

Event Location: The Carmichael Centre, 4 Brunswick St N, Dublin 7, and IDEA Offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1.

IDEA's Good Governance Group will reconvene this autumn. We welcome any members who are working towards improving governance in their organisations, especially those working towards compliance with the Governance Code. This autumn we will offer a combination of training, peer sharing and support, which we hope will help us all improve how we govern our organisations.

Our first session will be on Thursday 10 Sept. We invite any interested members to attend a lunchtime seminar (12 – 1 pm) at Carmichael House, Living Good Governance. This session will explore good governance as a core organisational value, rather than simply a box-ticking exercise. Following the seminar, we will move on to the IDEA office (1:30 – 3:30 pm) where we will tackle practical questions arising from the seminar, and share relevant documents from IDEA's Good Governance Folder. Please contact Susan via susan@ideaonline.ie before Thursday 3 Sept. if you would like to attend the Carmichael Centre session and/or the meeting at IDEA.

Job Vacancy: Coordinator

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:18:00 GMT

Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (DDCI) is looking to recruit a dynamic Coordinator. The successful candidate will have excellent leadership skills to drive forward the delivery of DDCI’s high quality policy, education and campaigning agenda, and to work to ensure DDCI’s financial sustainability into the future. The person will have exceptional organisational coordination skills, in addition […]

Job Vacancy: Administrative Officer

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:13:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is looking for an Administrative Officer to support delivery of a new schools’ project called the Global Learning Programme. This programme aims to deliver training in global learning to 50% of schools in Northern Ireland and strengthen the capacity of schools and teachers to help pupils learn about global justice issues such as poverty, inequality and sustainability.

The Centre is looking for a highly organised individual to provide administrative support to the GLP project staff that will contribute to the effective delivery of the project activities. This will involve carrying out administrative duties that will support promotions and communications to teachers and schools and the planning and organization of events, inputting data into databases and other general administrative tasks. The post is part-time (16 hours) and will have a timescale of two years from the date of appointment. The post will be located in the Centre for Global Education, Belfast.

Salary: £8,000 (plus NIC and Pension) (£17,500 pro rata)

Hours: 16 hours per week

Duration of post: Two years from the date of appointment

Applications are available on the Centre for Global Education’s website or by phoning 028 90 241 879. Your application should be received by e-mail, post or hand by 5pm on Friday, 11 September 2015.

IDEA’s Good Governance Group Reconvenes

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 10:43:00 GMT

Please contact Susan via susan@ideaonline.ie before Thursday 3 Sept. If you would like to attend the Carmichael Centre session and/or the meeting at IDEA.

ActionAid: Free Campaign Training

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 12:08:00 GMT

Are you under 30 and looking to make change in the world? Free Campaign Training is available for anyone interested in women’s rights, equality and change making! ActionAid is looking for eight dynamic young people to join a week of international campaign training, alongside a group of Swedish campaigners. Taking place in Dublin from 24th […]

GENE Review 2015

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 10:43:00 GMT

Irish Aid have asked Global Education Network Europe (GENE) to carry out a peer review of Development Education in Ireland. This review will inform the development of Irish Aid’s future strategy for Development Education.

IDEA has played an active role in ensuring that the voice of the Development Education sector is reflected in this review and that as many actors as possible from across Development Education in Ireland were involved in the process. IDEA Task Groups focusing on Formal Education, the Adult and Community sector and the Youth sector met between January and April 2015 to outline successes, challenges, opportunities and strategic priorities for Development Education. There has been a very active engagement of the sector in this work, and as well as identifying priorities for the GENE review process, it has also identified priorities that will be useful for future inputs into the Irish Aid Development Education strategy.

Task Groups met with the GENE review team in April 2015 and took part in a plenary discussion hosted by Irish Aid in Farmleigh House. As the next step in the process, written submissions were sent to Irish Aid at the end of May. During 2015 and 2016 we will continue to engage with the development of a new Irish Aid strategy on Development Education.

Full Submissions Below:

IDEA Proposal

Adult and Community Education Task Group Submission

Formal Education Task Group Submission

Youth Task Group Submission

You can also find the think piece on measuring impact in Development Education, produced by the IDEA Quality and Impact Working Group for the GENE Review here .

Learning about the ‘Co’ in Ecovillage!

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 11:23:00 GMT

As part of the Challenging the Crisis campaign the Young Global Advocates (YGAs) normally meet up every few weeks for day-long meetings but with the campaign now well underway and the end date for the project drawing closer we felt we needed a longer, more intense meeting to go through our ideas and plans. We decided to go for an overnight trip to Cloughjordan Ecovillage where we would also have the opportunity to see Social & Solidarity Economy in action. Over the course of the weekend we did much of what we normally do at our meetings but more of it! We also focused on how to best communicate the message of the campaign as we have felt that it can be hard to make Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) as a concept clear and concise.

On top of that we got a chance to learn about Cloughjordan Ecovillage from Davie Philips of Cultivate, who talked us through how the village came into being and how it functions day-to-day. We found it very interesting to experience an actual living, breathing social and solidarity organisation. As a group, we benefitted from the experience and found it uplifting to see that the concept we have talked so much about in the last year is actually, not only feasible, but existing and functioning successfully. It made it clear to us that our campaign supports what SSE organisations need in terms of awareness-raising and informing people about their existence, so they can flourish and also lead to further growth of SSEs. We don’t need to invent them, we need to promote them so they can grow. Also in the spirit of SSE we did some weeding for the community, which was a nice change of scene from the meeting room. We also got a chance to present to the people living in the village, outlining our campaign for them. Their response was very supportive.

We also got some good news at the weekend. We learned that the Challenging the Crisis project has received funding from Action/2015 (www.action2015.org) to hold public engagement events, across the 6 Project countries, to promote our campaign and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our campaign is most closely linked to goal 8 which is: Promote strong, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all. We see SSE as a way this goal can be achieved because if our economy is run through co-ops, mutual associations etc, this means that the work people have will be more within their control and reliable because the aim of SSE companies isn’t solely profit, it is sustainability and the betterment of society.

We'd like to say a big thank you to the residents who accommodated our stay and everyone at Cultivate and the Resiliance Centre for facilitating our meeting and visit.

Méabh Hennelly has been a member of the YGA’s since March 2014. She has also been involved with Amnesty International Ireland and ROSA . She just finished her leaving cert at Newpark Comprehensive School, Blackrock, and hopes to study Politics, Sociology and Philosophy.

Learning about the ‘Co’ in Ecovillage!

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 12:28:00 GMT

As part of the Challenging the Crisis campaign the Young Global Advocates (YGAs) normally meet up every few weeks for day-long meetings but with the campaign now well

underway and the end date for the project drawing closer we felt we needed a longer, more intense meeting to go through our ideas and plans. We decided to go for an overnight trip to Cloughjordan Ecovillage where we would also have the opportunity to see Social & Solidarity Economy in action. Over the course of the weekend we did much of what we normally do at our meetings but more of it! We also focused on how to best communicate the message of the campaign as we have felt that it can be hard to make Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) as a concept clear and concise.

On top of that we got a chance to learn about Cloughjordan Ecovillage from Davie Philips of Cultivate, who talked us through how the village came into being and how it functions day-to-day. I found it very interesting to experience an actual living, breathing social and solidarity organisation. I think we, as a group, benefitted from the experience and found it uplifting to see that the concept we have talked so much about in the last year is actually, not only feasible, but existing and functioning successfully. It made it clear to us that our campaign supports what SSE organisations need in terms of awareness-raising and informing people about their existence, so they can flourish and also lead to further growth of SSEs. We don’t need to invent them, we need to promote them so they can grow. Also in the spirit of SSE we did some weeding for the community, which was a nice change of scene from the meeting room. We also got a chance to present to the people living in the village, outlining our campaign for them. Their response was very supportive.

We'd like to say a big thank you to the residents who accommodated our stay and everyone at Cultivate and the Resiliance Centre for facilitating our meeting and visit.

About the author:

Youth are the Agents of Change

Sun, 05 Jul 2015 12:58:00 GMT

“Youth are the agents of change” was the main message of Ban Ki-Moon at the United Nations Youth delegate programme (UNYDP) launch at Iveagh House/Department of Foreign Affairs on the 26th Of May 2015. While the main focus of the event was the new UNYDP for Ireland, the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were also discussed focusing on the substantial role that young people will play in the future success of these goals over the next 15 years. Along with the UNYDP launch Ireland will also play an important role in chairing negotiations of the SDGs along with Kenya at the UN in New York, adding to the poignancy of the event.

Minister for development and Trade, Sean Sherlock was in attendance and touched on both the global challenges faced by young people and the importance of the UNYDP, like Ban Ki-moon he also expressed the importance of youth and their connection with the wider world. Ban Ki-moon, being so passionate about youth issues, has made it one of his top 5 priorities, even enlisting a special envoy on youth. He is aware of how youth have been disproportionally effected by the economic downturn in terms of both youth unemployment and violence. He is aware of Ireland’s great contribution to in helping the world become a more equal and sustainable place focusing on the recently passed Marriage equality referendum and the presidential age referendum. Expressing delight and disappointment at the results. While the SDGs were the main topic of the event youth issues were highlighted throughout. “Promise not peril” was stressed as it is promised that youth unemployment will be tackled with decent jobs and opportunities being of the utmost importance. A similar message to that of the Young Global Advocates at Challenging the Crisis.

Evanna Lynch and Donnacha O’Callaghan were also representing UNICEF Ireland as Ambassadors sharing their experiences, speaking of the vast inequalities and the great injustices that they have witnessed during their travels. Highlighting how similar children are and that young people around the world have the same dreams no matter where they are from.

Rebecca Amet is a Young Global advocate with Challenging the Crisis. Rebecca attended the event on behalf of Challenging the Crisis Ireland.

The Latin America Solidarity Centre (LASC) presents #LascWedsTalks

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:48:00 GMT

Inspired by Comhlámh's #FirstWedsDebate, LASC presents their #LascWedsTalks! These will be addressing core affecting facing Latin America, including the political, social, economic, and cultural realities facing the region. The talks will be given by a variety of speakers from Latin America as well as experts on particular issues, and will be interactive with lots of time for questions and debate. They will take place on the last Wednesday of every month @7pm at the LASC offices, 5, Merrion Row, Dublin 2.

The talks will kick-off next Wednesday, 24 June, with a discussion about Post-Chávez Venezuela – presented by Barry Cannon, Maynooth University. Find out more .

Ready for Regulation: Championing Transparency & Governance

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:40:00 GMT

Join The Wheel for two days of special training that will help ensure your organisation is ready and able to meet the demands of full charity regulation and best governance practice. The event will take place in the Carmelite Community Centre, 56 Aungier Street, Dublin 2, 30 June and 01 July, 9.15am – 3:30pm daily. Cost is 50 Euro for Members of The […]

Vacancy: Progamme Support Officer

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 12:37:00 GMT

WorldWise Global Schools is looking to recruit a Programme Support Officer.

Location: Gorta-Self Help Africa Head Office, 17-22 Kingsbridge House, Parkgate St, Dublin 8

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Closing Date: 5.30pm, Friday 10th July 2015

WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) is the national programme for development education at post-primary level and is being implemented within the framework of a four-year strategy (2013-2016). WWGS provides funding, resources and guidance for post-primary schools to engage in development education. It is being implemented through a consortium comprising Gorta-Self Help Africa, Concern Worldwide and the Curriculum Development Unit of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board.

Job Purpose

WWGS is recruiting for a Programme Support Officer (PSO) to work with the established staff team during the final year of the programme. The PSO will be responsible for providing comprehensive administrative support – including database management, grant administration, project auditing and reporting – to enable the overall smooth running of the WWGS programme. The PSO will have specific responsibility for and oversight of the Global Passport Award Scheme, which was launched last year as a mechanism to recognise and validate development education work taking place in post-primary schools across Ireland.

The PSO will monitor progress of the WWGS programme towards meeting its overall strategic aim and objectives, and contribute to twice annual reports to Irish Aid. The capturing and sharing of data to track the level of DE engagement at post-primary level is of central importance for this role.

Find out more

IDEA AGM and Annual Conference 2015

Fri, 12 Jun 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 11/06/2015 End Date: 11/06/2015

Event Location: Wood Quay Venue, Dublin City Council, Wood Quay, Dublin 8

AGM: 10:00 am

Annual Conference: 11:00 am

2015 is an important year for development education and global justice. As well as being European Year for Development, the Sustainable Development Goals will be launched in September. These new goals will be universal, applying to all countries in all parts of the world. To reflect this, the focus of IDEA’s Annual Conference is Universality in Action. Join us to discuss what universality actually means in practice and the essential role for development education in ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals deliver universality in action.

Keynote: Joanna Maycock, Secretary General of the European Women's Lobby. Joanna was formerly Head of Europe for Action Aid, and is a former President of CONCORD. She will discuss Universality in Action in the women’s movement, the Sustainable Development Goals and Development Education.

Moderator: Shona Murray, Journalist and presenter of Newstalk's World in Motion.

Conversation Café: Five tables will explore Universality in Action in the context of Development Education and the Sustainable Development Goals. The topics include: Active Citizenship, Human Rights, Campaigning, Gender, and Education.

Register below!

The Irish Times ‘Inside Out’ series

Tue, 26 May 2015 22:34:00 GMT

Meeting the Challenge of Climate Justice: From Evidence to Action

Tue, 26 May 2015 22:21:00 GMT

This major international conference co-hosted by Trócaire, Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College Maynooth aims to address this challenge of climate change by bringing together some of the world’s leading voices on climate science, climate justice and climate activism.

Speakers include Mary Robinson, UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, Bill McKibben, environmental activist, author and co-founder of 350.org, and Professor Jean Pascale van Ypersele, Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), among others.

This free event will take place 22 June – 23 June 2015, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland and is open to all but registration is required. Find out more .

UN Youth Delegate Programme for Ireland 2015

Tue, 26 May 2015 13:09:00 GMT

The National Youth Council of Ireland, together with Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, have launched the United Nations Youth Delegate Programme for Ireland in 2015 (UNYDP).

The UNYDP will support two young people (one male and one female) aged between 18-25 years to join Ireland’s delegation to the United Nations in New York in September/October 2015.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 5 June 2015.

Contact unyouthdelegate@nyci.ie for further information.

UN Youth Delegate Programme for Ireland 2015

Tue, 26 May 2015 12:57:00 GMT

The National Youth Council of Ireland, together with Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, have launched the United Nations Youth Delegate Programme for Ireland in 2015 (UNYDP).

E-Circular 20 May 2015

Mon, 25 May 2015 16:42:00 GMT

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the IDEA E-Circular for 20 May 2015.

This fortnight, we're looking forward to the IDEA AGM and Annual Conference taking place on 12 June. We also have news about the UN Youth Delegate Programme for Ireland 2015, the Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme, and an event on Meeting the Challenge of Climate Justice, hosted by Trócaire, Maynooth University and St Patrick’s College. Dóchas are also offering support with getting your stories into the Irish Times, and we have the latest news on the Global Centre for Education, Africa Day events and an internship in Brussels with Global Call to Action Against Poverty.

Got news for us? Email eimear@ideaonline.ie

IDEA NEWS

IDEA Annual Conference 2015 – Universality in Action
Date: 12 June 2015
AGM (IDEA Members Only): 10:00
Annual Conference: 11:00 – 16:00
Venue: Wood Quay Venue, Dublin City Council, Wood Quay, Dublin 8

2015 is an important year for development education and global justice. As well as being European Year for Development, the Sustainable Development Goals will be launched in September. These new goals will be universal, applying to all countries in all parts of the world. To reflect this, the focus of IDEA’s Annual Conference is Universality in Action. Join us to discuss what universality actually means in practice and the essential role for development education in ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals deliver universality in action. This year our keynote speaker is Joanna Maycock, Secretary General of the European Women's Lobby. Joanna was formerly Head of Europe for Action Aid, and is a former President of CONCORD.

Challenging the Crisis Launch

The Challenging the Crisis team at IDEA would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended our campaign launch. In particular we'd like to thank Mairéad McGuinness MEP, Lynn Boylan MEP, Isabelle Kidney, ILCU, and Duncan Stewart, Environmentalist, for speaking at the event and also our Young Global Advocates for doing such a great job of organising and running the launch.

MEMBER & PARTNER NEWS

UN Youth Delegate Programme for Ireland 2015

The National Youth Council of Ireland, together with Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, have launched the United Nations Youth Delegate Programme for Ireland in 2015 (UNYDP).

Meeting the Challenge of Climate Justice: From Evidence to Action

This public conference aims to address this challenge of climate change by bringing together some of the world’s leading voices on climate science, climate justice and climate activism.

This free event will take place 22 June – 23 June 2015, Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland and is open to all but registration is required. Find out more .

Interested in pitching a story for the Irish Times ‘Inside Out’ series?

As part of the European Year for Development, The Irish Times is publishing a full page spread on its website each month, shining a light on development issues and including powerful human stories from people around the world affected by these issues. The series also highlights the work of development organisations at a global and local level. If you have a development education story you would like to pitch, email Naomi Linehan at comms@dochas.ie, and she will pass your suggestion to the relevant editor for consideration.

Africa Day

Designated by the African Union as an annual celebration of the continent’s unity, Africa Day falls on 25 May each year. Irish Aid’s flagship ‘Africa Day Dublin’ event will take place on Sunday, 24 May, in Farmleigh Estate in the Phoenix Park. Africa’s rich culture will be showcased through family-friendly activities, along with music, exhibitions, sport and educational elements. Africa Day events are part of the programme of activities for the European Year for Development 2015. Find out more .

From the Local to the Global: Key Issues in Development Studies – 3rd Edition

From the Local to the Global is an ideal introduction to the key development issues that shape our lives. This text brings together some of the foremost activists, academics and development practitioners from across the world to analyse the main challenges to poverty eradication and human rights. This completely revised third edition highlights the extent to which the local and global are interconnected in today’s globalised economy and questions the legitimacy of the neoliberal model of development. In an important year for development, this book provides a comprehensive, accessibly written overview of the issues central to global justice and equality including aid, debt, trade, gender, security, migration and climate change. Find out more .

OTHER NEWS

Internship with Global Call to Action Against Poverty

Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) is a global civil society movement calling for an end to poverty & inequality. As the campaign gains momentum, GCAP is opening a 6 months internship/trainee position in their Brussels office to support the European coordination of the movement – to start as soon as possible.

Apply before 31 May by sending an email to Claire.desmesnards@whiteband.org with the title ‘Internship/trainee position” and your possible start date.

Inspiring Change: Empowering Women’s Futures in Africa

The Trinity International Development Initiative (TIDI) are collaborating with the African Embassies accredited to the Republic of Ireland on this conference to mark Africa Day 2015. The event will take place in the Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity College Dublin, 25 May from 2-5pm.

To reserve your place RSVP to: tidi@tcd.ie

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Irish Aid Fellowship Training Programme

Irish Aid's Fellowship Training Programme (FTP) aims to increase the specialist knowledge of staff working in ministries and in civil society organisations in key partner countries. It does this by providing scholarships to mid-career professionals to study postgraduate or masters courses in Ireland or in a college within their own region. Find out more .

GREAT READS THIS WEEK

EU must pull its weight to help create a better global financial system
In the run-up to the Financing for Development meeting in July, pressure is growing on the EU to back developing countries’ agendas on aid, debt and tax.
The Guardian, 20 April

A portal to the future of the arts in education
Exposure to, and participation in, the arts help to cultivate creativity, artistic appreciation, imaginative exploration, experimental initiative and empathic awareness, all of which are valuable for young people’s development.
Irish Times, 19 May

Guantánamo Diary: A Development Education Conversation with Larry Siems

Mon, 18 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 17/05/2015 End Date: 17/08/2015

Event Location: IDEA Offices
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1,
Ireland.

IDEA is delighted to welcome Larry Siems, the editor of Mohamedou Ould Slahi’s Guantánamo Diary . In the Diary, Mohamedou tells the story of his rendition, torture and detention without charge at the hands of the USA. Dr. Audrey Bryan will engage Larry in a conversation about Mohamedou, the diary, how Larry became involved as editor, the issues the diary raises, and how the diary might be used in a Development Education context. Audience members will be invited to respond to excerpts from this powerful text and to reflect upon how it could be used in their own practice. The event is free but we ask you to register in advance.

Time: 15:30 – 17:00

Register: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Find out more about Guantánamo Diary here and here

Mohamedou Ould Slahi was born in Mauritania in 1970. He earned a scholarship to study engineering in Germany when he was 18, and lived and worked in Germany and briefly in Canada before returning to Mauritania in 2000. He has been detained in Guantánamo Bay since August 2002.

Larry Siems directed the Freedom to Write and International Programs at PEN American Centre, where he led PEN’s ongoing efforts to defend writers facing persecution around the world and protect freedom of expression in the US. He left PEN at the end of 2013 to concentrate on editing Slahi’s memoir. He is the author of The Torture Report and is a poet and a non-fiction writer.

Dr. Audrey Bryan is a lecturer in Sociology at St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. She has published nationally and internationally in the areas of racism and anti-racism, gender and sexuality studies, development studies and citizenship education. She is the co-author (with Meliosa Bracken) of Learning to Read the World? Teaching and Learning about Global Citizenship and International Development in Post-Primary Schools. Audrey is a member of IDEA’s National Council.

Job: Fundraising and Membership Officer with LASC

Thu, 14 May 2015 18:01:00 GMT

The Latin America Solidarity Centre is looking for a Fundraising and Membership Officer. Applicants should have an interest in Latin American solidarity issues and some experience of fundraising and managing members. Experience in Health and Safety and advantage. This is a Community Employment opportunity.To be eligible for Community Employment you must be over 25 years of age and be in receipt of a social welfare payment for at least 52 weeks.

Duties to include:

– Identifying and creating fundraising opportunities for LASC

– Coordinating fundraising opportunities

– Membership development: Increase LASC membership; communication and consultation with members; implementation of membership strategy

– Health and Safety support (to be agreed)

Application deadline: 29th of May

To apply and/or for more details, please contact:

Sharon Fitzpatrick,

City Centre Voluntary Groups Ltd.,

Office 16,

29/30 Dame St.,

Dublin 2

Telephone: 01 6772300 / 6772301 / 6772308

Fax: 01 6772312

Working Collaboratively: What, Why and How

Tue, 12 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 11/05/2015 End Date: 11/05/2015

Event Location: IDEA Offices
6 Gardiner Row,
Dublin 1,
Ireland.

Working collaboratively with another organisation can help both partners to access new skills and expertise, reach new target groups, reduce operational costs and achieve shared objectives. Yet many organisations shy away from collaborative work, due to concerns about financial or legal implications, or worries about its impact on their organisation’s identity.

If your organisation is considering collaborative work, this workshop is an essential first step! Using participatory methodologies, the workshop will:

This active-learning workshop will be facilitated by Kieran Murphy of Wholestory Management Consultancy. Kieran has a great deal of experience in managing collaborations, through his past roles as chairperson of the Advocacy Initiative and director of the Society of St Vincent de Paul Ireland, and through serving on numerous boards of community and voluntary organisations.

Time: 9:30 -13:00, followed by lunch

Cost: IDEA members €25, non-members €75

Register: eimear@ideaonline.ie

Young people join forces to challenge the crisis

Mon, 11 May 2015 20:03:00 GMT

A group of Young Global Advocates held the Irish launch of a pan-European campaign Challenging the Crisis in Dublin today. The campaign will be rolled out across five other European countries over the coming weeks.

The campaign, which is driven by young people aged 16-30 in the so-called PIIGSS countries, is focused on practical ways to tackle the crisis, through Social and Solidarity Economy. The Young Global Advocates will raise awareness and generate support among the general public and engage with policy makers towards a European Year for Social and Solidarity Economy.

In her address to the launch Mairead McGuinness, MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament said: “Challenging the Crisis is a unique opportunity to reshape our thinking. It is led by young people with conviction, it is working across six member states of the EU and it has the potential to motivate and challenge us to see global inequality as our problem too and our duty to address.”

Lynn Boylan, MEP, who spoke at the event said: 'It is fantastic to see young people in Ireland proactively engaging with their international peers on issues such as the impact of austerity while creating a cross-border platform of solidarity to work from. I was delighted to attend today's event to give an insight of the work I am doing in the European Parliament on youth matters and would like to commend them on their campaign to launch a European Year of Social and Solidarity Economy.'

The campaign is part of an EU funded three-year development education project led by the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) with partners in Portugal, Italy, Greece, Spain and Slovenia. The aim of the project is to build critical awareness among young adults, enabling them to see the European financial crisis in a global, interdependent context.

Frank Geary, Director of IDEA, said: “We are privileged to have the opportunity to work with such an enthusiastic, committed and creative group of young people. This campaign highlights what development education is truly about, through its strong focus on global justice and its search for answers as well as causes of injustice, poverty and inequality through experiential learning. The Challenging the Crisis campaign is a platform for young people to take the lead in the solutions and the practical steps we need to promote global justice for all.”

A bout the Campaign

Challenging the Crisis is a Development Education project aimed at engaging young people aged 16 – 30 in Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia in campaigning for social justice and international development in the context of austerity at home.

IDEA is the lead partner in the project, working with partners in 5 other European countries: Fair Trade Hellas (Greece), CIPSI (Italy), Fondazione Culturale Responsabilità Etica (Italy), IMVF (Portugal), SLOGA (Slovenia) Fundación Economistas sin Fronteras (Spain).

The young people that are involved in this project are known as Young Global Advocates (YGAs). Through Development Education the YGAs are encouraged to think of ideas to tackle inequality at home and abroad – a reframing of development. Through a project based on the core principles of development education, the YGAS wish to campaign for a truly transformative solution. Social and Solidarity Economy challenges the current socio-economic power structures, which they have witnessed as the root causes of poverty in their own societies and across the world.

About Social and Solidarity Economy

Social and Solidarity Economy has many diverse meanings, however the ultimate aim of Social and Solidarity Economy is to satisfy the needs of individuals and communities across the world.
Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) includes traditional forms of cooperatives and mutual associations, fair trade organizations, associations of informal sector workers, social enterprises, and community currency and alternative finance schemes – such as micro finance groups or credit unions.

The concept is globally applicable. It is as useful in Europe as it is in the Global South. In simple terms it puts people at the centre of the economy.

It is based on the following core values:
●   Democracy
●   Solidarity
●   Inclusiveness
●   Diversity
●   Sustainable Development
●   Equality, equity and justice for all

Challenging the Crisis Launch

Mon, 11 May 2015 00:00:00 GMT

Start Date: 10/05/2015 End Date: 10/05/2015

Event Location: European Parliament Information Office, 43 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2

In times of economic crisis it is easier to focus on the challenges at home and not consider wider global issues. Despite signs of recovery young people continue to be disproportionately affected by poverty and austerity both in the EU and at a global level.

In response to this a group of young people from the countries most affected by the Eurozone crisis are leading Challenging the Crisis , a pan-European campaign to raise awareness and empower EU citizens as global development advocates. Join these Young Global Advocates for the launch of their campaign for a more just and equal global society through Social and Solidarity Economy.

Speakers include: Lynn Boylan, MEP, Mairead McGuinness, MEP, Isabelle Kidney, Irish League of Credit Unions, and representatives from the Challenging the Crisis Young Global Advocate team.

Hosted by: IDEA – the Irish Development Education Association

Time: 17:00

RSVP to: communications@ideaonline.ie

Find out more about Challenging the Crisis

Free CPD workshops by Rights Sparks

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 16:21:00 GMT

Rights Sparks are holding free Continuing Professional Development workshops for primary school teachers and student teachers on the 18 April. The workshops will help teachers to create development education and human rights education links across the curriculum.

Registration for the event is essential.

To register or for more information contact: shealy@amnesty.ie

INTO launches Global Citizenship School

Fri, 10 Apr 2015 15:12:00 GMT

The INTO's Global Citizenship School initiative was officially launched at the INTO Congress in Ennis on Tuesday, 7 April. A Global Citizenship School is a school which promotes a more just, equitable and sustainable world.

The initiative aims to encourage and facilitate primary schools in learning about and acting upon global issues. It is also open to anyone in the Human Rights / Development Education field to promote or make use of the potential of getting whole school involvement across the country.

Schools can apply to be admitted before the end of May. Find out more here .

Comhlámh’s Coming Home Weekend

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 15:55:00 GMT

16-17 May, Avila Carmelite Centre, Bloomfield Avenue, Morehampton Road, Dublin 4.

This event provides an opportunity for people that have been overseas in a development capacity for 3 months or more to have a space to reflect on that time overseas, understand the process of transition and explore next steps from Ireland. The fee for the weekend is €50 and includes all meals and overnight accommodation, all facilitation by experienced returned development workers and an optional social gathering on Saturday night.

For more information please contact Susan:

T: 01 478 3490, E: susan@comhlamh.org or click here to book

IDEA Members Survey Now Available

Tue, 10 Mar 2015 15:32:00 GMT

The report on the 2014 Annual Members Survey is now available. This report highlights successes and challenges for IDEA and also provides useful information about the IDEA membership.

On the whole, IDEA members expressed high levels of satisfaction with IDEA’s work in communicating across the sector, developing the capacity of its members, and serving as a representative voice for the DE sector. In terms of communications, 98% of respondents rated IDEA’s work as ‘excellent’ (61%) or ‘good’ (37%). In terms of capacity development interventions, 87% of respondents rated IDEA’s work as either ‘very effective’ (30%) or ‘quite effective’ (57%). In IDEA’s overall effectiveness in advancing and supporting a credible, professional and cohesive DE sector throughout Ireland, 98% of respondents rated IDEA’s work as either ‘very effective’ (36%) or ‘quite effective’ (62%).

IDEA has a diverse membership with different needs, and some members felt that although we cope well with this, we don't always get the balance right. In future years, IDEA will concentrate on ensuring we meet the needs of specific sub-groups without compromising the overall shape and balance of the IDEA programme. Respondents also said that, although IDEA's communications is strong, we could do more to reach out beyond the DE sector.

A World of Stories: Seminar on Exploring Global and Intercultural Issues through Picturebooks

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 13:52:00 GMT

A World of Stories: Friday March 6, 2-4pm

The DICE (Development and Intercultural Education within Initial Teacher Education) Project, together with IDEA, is delighted to offer a seminar. This seminar, World of Stories: Exploring Global and Intercultural Issues through Picturebooks will explore the enormous potential of picturebooks for introducing global and justice perspectives into the classroom, in an age appropriate manner.

Relevant theoretical frameworks and examples will be introduced in a participatory way by expert guest speakers Anne Dolan and Patricia Kennon. Teacher educators, student teachers and DE practitioners are all welcome to attend. Participation is free, but please register in advance with siobhan.sleeman@spd.dcu.ie. Refreshments will be provided.

Date and time: Friday March 6, 2-4pm
Venue: IDEA Office, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

Join our ‘Challenging the Crisis’ youth campaign: Apply by 13 March!

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 10:29:00 GMT

'Challenging the Crisis' is a three-year development education project engaging young people in highly-indebted EU countries (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain).

Currently, a network of “Young Global Advocates” (YGAs) across the 6 partner countries is in place, active both in their own country and at a European level. They have been working together for the past year and are now about to launch the 'Challenging the Crisis' campaign on 'Social and Solidarity Economy' . We are currently recruiting new activists to this youth network in Ireland.

At this stage, we want to enlarge our diverse group of young adults in Ireland (aged 16–30) who:

• will create and implement a youth-led campaign with other young people in Italy, Greece, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain between now and the end of the Project in April 2016 (at least). Watch the video to hear them explain our campaign.

• will come together in Dublin regularly (travel costs will be provided).

• will be supported by IDEA and other organisations to implement their own actions related to the campaign with their own communities, friends, colleges, workplace, organisations etc. (activities will be discussed jointly with IDEA)

We are currently recruiting both:

i) members of the wider 'Challenging the Crisis' activists' network

(young people who will attend campaign events, be active on social media, bring campaign to your own organisation/network, attend meeting in Dublin twice per year) and

ii) members of the core group of 'Young Global Advocates' (YGAs)

(young people who will be active as above plus communicate with YGAs in other countries via our online platforms, contribute to the campaign website, represent the Project at external events, attend monthly meetings in Dublin, plan campaign events, possibly travel abroad)

You can apply to join our network in Ireland NOW – apply here by 13 March 2015. Questions? Contact us: youth@ideaonline.ie

Irish Aid Strategy Review: Upcoming meetings

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 09:00:00 GMT

Irish Aid has asked the Global Education Network Europe (GENE) to conduct a peer review of development education in Ireland.

To ensure the Development Education sector has a strong voice in this process, IDEA is facilitating three task groups: one on formal education, one on the adult and community education sector and one on the youth sector, with each group considering successes, challenges, opportunities and strategic priorities for development education in their area, before bringing their recommendatoons to the GENE team. Each of the three groups will meet between now and April, before then meeting the GENE evaluation team in April. A plenary consultation will meet between now and April for the enture development education sector to contribute to the review and the Irish Aid strategy.

Each group has had the first of their three meetings. Upcoming meetings:

– Adult and Community Task Group: March 12, 12 noon-2pm and April 16, 12 noon-2pm
– Formal Education Task Group: March 2, 2-4pm and April 17, 11am-1pm
– Youth Task Group: March 12, 3-5pm and April 17, 2-4pm

If you are not already a member of a Task Group and would like to join, please email IDEA Director Frank Geary (frank@ideaonline.ie) with your name, job title, organisation name and contact number. And please encourage your colleagues too!

WorldWise Global Schools grant call launches March 2

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 13:32:00 GMT

Are you a school, a school network or an (eligible) NGO that wishes to increase student engagement with global development?

Worldwise Global Schools Funding (WWGS) will launch a grant call on March 2 .

WWGS will hold an application workshop in the WWGS office on 17-22 Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, on March 12 at 2pm, with other workshops taking place around the country.
Any organisations interested in applying or in need of support are invited to attend. The closing date for applications is April 26 .

Further information and an application form can be requested at www.worldwiseschools.ie/funding and the team are available for support.

Claiming Our Future: Annual Assembly, February 7

Wed, 04 Feb 2015 10:31:00 GMT

Claiming Our Future annual meeting takes place on February 7th from 11am to 3.30pm at the UNITE premises on Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1.

Come and join us to discuss, debate and celebrate: Register now if you haven't done so yet!

National Youth Council: Roundtable Event on Young People: February 10

Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:33:00 GMT

This event is open to youth, community, development, and development education organisations, staff, volunteers, students, and young people. It will also include policymakers, academia, politicians and others. You don’t need to be an expert but we hope that you’ll have a far better understanding by the end of the day! For more information and to sign up, check out the event page on the NYCI website.

Get involved: Major Irish Aid strategy review

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 16:19:00 GMT

We've had a great response to our call for the development education sector to get involved in Irish Aid's strategy review – but we're keen to get even more organisations and individuals on board.

Irish Aid has asked the Global Education Network Europe (GENE) to conduct a peer review of its strategy. Here at IDEA, we are coordinating engagement of the development sector as well as participating in the Reference Group on the strategy. We're facilitating three task groups: one on formal education, one on the adult and community education sector and one on the youth sector, with each group considering successes, challenges, opportunities and strategic priorities for development education in their area, before bringing their recommendations to the the GENE team.

If you'd like to a chance to shape the future of development education, please email IDEA Director Frank Geary (frank@ideaonline.ie) with your name, job title, organisation name and contact number. Each of the three groups will meet three times between now and April, before meeting the GENE evaluation team in April. A plenary consultation will be held in April for the entire development education sector to contribute to the review and the Irish Aid strategy.

PRESS RELEASE: YOUNG PEOPLE CALL ON IRISH MEPS TO CREATE A FAIRER ECONOMY, AT HOME AND ABROAD

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 10:15:00 GMT

Young people will today (16 January) share their vision for a new European economy which challenges how countries have approached and tackled the financial crisis to date, promoting sustainable economic development, both in Europe and globally.

Entitled “Challenging the Crisis” , the campaign focuses on promoting cohesion through Social Economy and will involve lobbying Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to increase recognition.

The group of “Young Global Advocates” consists of young adults from Europe’s most indebted countries – Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal and Slovenia – and is led by an Irish organisation, the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA). “We believe increasing social cohesion in Europe and globally is vital now after the crash, with social unrest on the rise in the most affected countries,” explained Adam Sweetman, 24, from Co. Dublin, who is one of the Young Global Advocates spearheading the campaign.

This youth group believes the social economy “is recession proof” because profit is not the only goal. Rather it means an economy which benefits society in the countries concerned, and that would also fundamentally alter the way we do business in our relations with the rest of the world, especially the world’s poorest countries. 2015 is the ‘European Year for Development’ – a crucial year where world leaders will make decisions that must create a world we can all prosper in.

Although the EU’s youth unemployment rate still hovered at around 22% in 2014, the Young Global Advocates are keen to focus on solidarity with other parts of the world.

As part of the ‘European Year for Development’, the campaigners believe that a model of people-centred growth through a social economy in Europe would send the message that international development still matters to us, even in times of economic difficulty. Eleanor McKenna, aged 25 from Drogheda, who has been involved in the initiative since its launch in early 2014, describes it as “an opportunity to connect with people facing similar challenges to us in Ireland, and who share our passion for social change on a global scale”.

The campaign will be officially launched in Spring 2015 but today the Irish group presents their idea at an event hosted by Dóchas and Concern Worldwide to Irish MEPs including Mairéad McGuinness and Brian Hayes. Today the young people call on Irish MEPs to back ambitious commitments to end inequality, climate chaos and the polarisation of society at home and globally. The event comes one week ahead of the launch of Ireland’s participation in the “European Year for Development” at Dublin Castle, and Dóchas and Concern Worldwide have invited Irish MEPs – and young people – to reflect on their vision for the year ahead.

WHO: Young adults leading the ‘Challenging the Crisis’ campaign

WHAT: Event with Irish Members of the European Parliament (MEPs)

WHERE: European Parliament offices, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 WHEN: 11am – 12.30pm, Friday 16 January

For more information contact 0879747579. Information on the launch of the European Year for Development in Ireland is available from Dóchas . Find out more about the Challenging the Crisis project here and follow us on Twitter @CtCrisis . Join in support of the year using #EYD2015.

Challenging the Crisis Young Global Advocates on #EYD2015 and #Action2015

Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:35:00 GMT

Challenging the Crisis

Young Global Advocates

European Year for Development 2015 – Visions from MEPs and ‘Challenging the Crisis’, 16 January

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 12:08:00 GMT

This event “The European Year for Development and Beyond – MEPs’ Visions” is hosted jointly by the European Parliament Information Office in Ireland, Dóchas and Concern, and will showcase the visions of all 11 Irish MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) for 2015. In addition, IDEA's “Young Global Advocates” as part of a European project called “Challenging the Crisis – Promoting Global Justice and Citizens’ Engagement in a Time of Uncertainty” will share their perspectives on new pathways for sustainable development locally and globally, as part of their project between young adults in Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

A booklet will be launched containing the contributions of the MEPs to the EYD. There will also be an opportunity for dialogue with MEPs including Mairead McGuinness, European Parliament Vice-President responsible for Communication and Brian Hayes, European Parliament Development Committee.

Young Global Advocates from the 'Challening the Crisis' project will launch a European campaign on their vision for a fairer world during 2015, the European Year for Development. You can get a flavour of what our young advocates are working on across all 6 countries in ‘Challenging the Crisis’ by watching their Youth Declaration and find out more about the group here , as well as their campaign .

The event will take place in the European Parliament Information Office, 43, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 on 16 January 2015 from 11.00 am-12.30 pm. Registration required via the European Parliament here or RSVP to events-epdublin@ep.europa.eu or phone 01-6057900

hashtags: #EYD2015; #NewYearNewWorld

IDEA Is Recruiting: Communications and Events Officer

Thu, 08 Jan 2015 11:11:00 GMT

Applications for this position are now closed. Thanks to all who applied.

IDEA is recruiting a Communications and Events Officer .

The Communications & Events Officer will plan and implement all aspects of IDEA communications and coordinate our events programme. The role will promote IDEA’s work, the development education sector in Ireland and global justice issues. Please share this exciting opportunity to play a central role in development education in Ireland.

IDEA, the Irish Development Education Association, is a national platform for organisations and individuals engaged in the provision, promotion and advancement of development education throughout the island of Ireland. This role will enable the successful candidate to work with the vibrant and dynamic development education sector throughout Ireland and internationally.

Location of the post: Dublin
Starting date: February 2015
Hours of Work: 4 days per week
Remuneration: €38,000 – €46,000 pro-rata, depending on experience
Length of contract: This is a fixed-term contract until January 2016 subject to ongoing funding
Full role description available to download below.

Application Process: Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) and CVs should be sent by email to:
recruitment@ideaonline.ie . All applications will be dealt with in full confidentiality.

Deadline for applications: Monday 26th January at 5pm
Please browse our website for more information about IDEA .

Thank You to our Intern Sharon Cahill

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:55:00 GMT

Sharon Cahill has been on placement from NUI Maynooth, Youth and Community Studies for the last 13 weeks. Sharon has been working mainly with Elaine Mahon on the Challenging the Crisis project, in particular assisiting with work related to the network of Young Global Advocates. Sharon has also worked with all the IDEA staff helping in a wide variety of ways.

Sharon brought great value and a fresh perspective to IDEA and we would like to thank her for all of her work!

One piece of work that she carried out was in relation to Development Education in Youth work settings. Following on form IDEA.s recently published Strategy for DE in Adult and Community Education, Sharon looked at the potential for strategic aims within the Youth sector. We'll leave you with Sharon's own insights on the role of Development Education:

Merry Christmas from the IDEA Staff Team!

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:30:00 GMT

Wishing you a peaceful and restful Christmas break.

Looking forward to seeing you in 2015 with renewed energy for what will no doubt be a transformative year!

We would also like to thank our intern Sharon who finishes up this week in her placement from NUI Maynooth. Sharon has been a great presence in the IDEA office and contributed her enthusiasm and energy to our work.

Best festive wishes from,

Frank, Susan, Heidi, Elaine and Eimear.

Make Your Campaign Really Fly!: Resources

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 15:17:00 GMT

On Saturday the 13th of Decemeber 25 people attended a workshop in IDEA called “How to Make Your Campaign Really Fly” facilitated by Siobhán O'Donoghue of Uplift.

You can download the slides used in the presentation below. Don't forget to check out the Uplift website too!

AND sign up for the Challenging the Crisis Campaign newsletter which will launch in early 2015.

The Global Citizen

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:21:00 GMT

EIL Ireland

recent issue here

archive here

JOB: Promotions and Communications officer for the Centre for Global Education

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 12:54:00 GMT

Centre for Global Education seeks Promotions and Communications Officer

To support delivery of a new formal education project called the Global Learning Programme which aims to strengthen the capacity of schools and teachers to help pupils learn about global justice issues. The post-holder will develop and implement a promotions and communications strategy with the aim of securing schools’ engagement in the programme activities. Duties will include: web site management; developing effective communications with schools; supporting the dissemination and completion of evaluation and monitoring tools; and creating social media platforms to facilitate regular contact with teachers and schools.

An application form and job description are available on their website .

Duration of post: from date of appointment to November 2017

Hours: 26 hours per week

Salary: £20,000 per annum

Location of post: Belfast

Applications should be returned by e-mail or post by 5.00pm on Friday, 16 January 2015 to:

Stephen McCloskey, Director, Centre for Global Education, 9 University Street, Belfast, BT7 1FY

E-mail: stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com

Young Global Advocates Launch Their Youth Declaration!

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 10:56:00 GMT

Watch Challenging the Crisis ' 60 Young Global Advocates share and explain their Youth Declaration . Conceived during the 4-day Global Youth Forum in Brussels in July 2014, the Declaration is the platform for a campaign that the young people will lead in 2015. They have chosen to campaign on the topic of “Social Cohesion through Social and Solidarity Economy”.

You can follow and support the campaign in 2015 by:

Challenging the Crisis and IDEA hosted a webinar series on Social and Solidarity Economy during November and December 2014- you can sign up to receive the recorded webinars here!

Young Global Advocates Present to Development Studies Conference Delegates

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:49:00 GMT

On the 8th of November, IDEA staff along with two of the Young Global Advocate ’s (YGAs) from the Challenging the Crisis project were invited to speak at the Development Studies Association of Ireland (DSAI) annual conference “Bridging the gap- Translating Development Research into Practice”. The two YGAs Emmet and Méabh spoke alongside Elaine Mahon, project coordinator for Challenging the Crisis.

They spoke on the second day in the Education and Development panel about “The Challenges Ahead”. Other speakers included Dr. Su-Ming Khoo from NUI Galway & DSAI and Professor Paul Conway from University of Limerick.

Both YGAs spoke about what Challenging the Crisis is, how they got involved and why they got involved. They then went on to speak about the campaign that would be launched in early 2015 and their plans for the campaign. They both also spoke about the Global Youth Forum they attended in Brussels in July 2014 with YGAs from Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia.

Learn more about Challenging the Crisis and sign up for the campaign newsletter.

WANTED: Your Data

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 17:23:00 GMT

Calling all IDEA members!

IDEA is creating a communication tool to help us promote and advance development education in Ireland. We need YOUR data. The end-product is a poster giving a visual sense of the diversity and impact of our work. Help us to make this infographic really valuable by sharing your data with us. All you have to do is answer the questions below. In return you will receive a digital copy of the poster. All data submitted will be treated confidentially.

You can also email your responses to the questions to eimear[at]ideaonline.ie by Wed 17th Dec.

Thank you!

Fourth Webinar added to IDEA’s Winter Webinar Series

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 11:37:00 GMT

The fourth and final webinar in our Winter Webinar Series will be given by Jason Nardi of RIPESS the Intercontinental Network for the Promotion of Social Solidarity Economy, and Daniel Tygel of the Brazilian Forum of Solidarity Economy . They will share perspectives from Europe and Brazil on the practical impact that social and solidarity economy has on rebuilding economies and societies.

Jason Nardi is coordinator of the Social Watch Italian Coalition and member of the RIPESS-Solidarity Economy Europe coordination committee. Together with other member s of RIPESS worldwide, he has contributed to the creation of the first interoperability standards for Social Solidarity Economy mapping (ESSGlobal). Jason has been working for several civil society organizations – Fondazione culturale responsabilità etica (the Cultural Foundation of the Italian Ethical Bank), the International Council of the World Social Forum, Terra Futura, annual festival on sustainability and good practices – and created Zoes.org, the first Italian social network for solidarity economy. A founder of Solidarius Italia, he is working on the strengthening of solidarity economy networks in Italy, where he lives.

Daniel Tygel

John Restakis Presentation Available

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:38:00 GMT

On the 20th November, our winter webinar series began with an excellent presentation from John Restakis on Humanizing the Economy Through Cooperatives.

A video of the full webinar will be available to everyone who registered for the series. If you haven't already registered you can do so here:

IDEA is Recruiting: EU Project Campaign Officer

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 13:13:00 GMT

IDEA is the lead agency on a three year EU-funded development education project, together with partners in 6 countries. The Project’s main objective is to engage EU citizens from highly-indebted EU countries to understand the interdependences of local and global justice issues, and to enable them to become active advocates on global justice issues; thereby anchoring development policies despite austerity measures at home.

A key activity of this Project is an international youth-led campaign to contribute to a more just and sustainable world by raising awareness and empowering EU citizens as global development advocates. The Project works primarily with a network of young people from the 6 countries called ‘Young Global Advocates’ (YGAs), through Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) methodologies, who will lead an international campaign based on public engagement and international advocacy.

At an international meeting of the YGAs in Brussels in July 2014 (the “Global Youth Forum”) almost 60 young people representing each country participating in the Project came together to decide on the campaign topic.The field of “ cohesion through social economy ” was the area that the YGAs chose to work on, and along with Partner organisations are currently defining the specific campaign topic. The campaign will be carried out through public engagement as well as advocacy towards EU and national policy-makers, ensuring that new perspectives on international development (i.e. post MDG) have a distinctively global dimension with a focus on active citizenship.

Location of the post : Dublin
Starting date : January 2015
Hours of Work : 3 days per week
Remuneration : €37,000 pro-rata
Length of contrac t: This is a fixed-term contract for 15 months subject to ongoing funding
Full role description available to download below.

Application Process: Letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) and CVs should be sent by email to: recruitment@ideaonline.ie . All applications will be dealt with in full confidentiality.

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 10 December at 5pm
Interviews will be held during the week beginning 15 December.
We will inform all candidates soon after the deadline. Please browse our website for more information about IDEA and Challenging the Crisis.

IDEA is Seeking an External Consultant

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:45:00 GMT

In 2011, IDEA produced a position paper on Measuring Quality & Impact in Development Education. We are now seeking a consultant to produce a follow-up to this paper, to reflect changes in how quality and impact are measured in development education, to respond to changing contexts and to take advantage of new opportunities to influence development education policy.

We estimate that this task will take in the region of three full days. For details see Terms of Reference.

Closing date for receipt of tenders: Monday 24 November.

Challenging the Crisis partners host online exploration of Social Economy

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:11:00 GMT

At the Global Youth Forum in July Young Global Advocates from Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Greece Italy and Slovenia chose the topic of “Cohesion Through Social Economy” as the theme for their Europe-wide campaign. A Working Group of Young Global Advocates have been researching the topic and sharing it with everyone else on the Challenging the Crisis online platform . The challenge now is to narrow down the campaign to a more specific topic.

Social Economy (or Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE)) covers a broad range of economic activity. WikiPedia defines SSE as

However (much like Development Education) there are a broad range of understandings of SSE. In many ways these understandings are being constantly evolved.

The partners of Challenging the Crisis are hosting a series of webinars to deepen our understanding of Social Economy. We have invited an array of interesting guests to speak to us on such topics as Cooperatives, Microfinance, credit unions, the collaborative economy and the competencies we need to create it. Speakers include John Restakis, author of Humanising Capital: Cooperatives in the Age of Capital , representatives of the Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation and their Ethiopian partners and Davie Philip, co-founder of both FEASTA (the Foundation for Economics and Sustainability) and Ireland's first Eco-Village in Cloughjordan.

Recordings of the webinars will be available soon.

IDEA Winter Events

Tue, 11 Nov 2014 12:13:00 GMT

November

Tuesday 11th 1pm – 2pm: Strategic Planning Follow-up Webinar . This is a follow-up discussion for attendees of our October workshop on Revitalising Your Strategic Plan with Sandra Velthuis of Whitebarn Consulting.

Thursday 13th 2 – 4pm: Irish Aid Annual Grants Round: Application Writing Clinic . You must email Susan Gallwey to receive the link to join this webinar.

Tuesday 18th 10am – 2pm: Freelancing in Development Education . Are you a freelance educator looking for work in the Development Education sector? This is a practical half-day workshop that will look at responding to tenders and marketing yourself online. Read more…

Thursday 20th 12noon – 1pm: First in our Winter Webinar Series Social Economy and Global Development Post 2015 : John Restakis, author of Humanizing the Economy: Co-operatives in the Age of Capital . Tune in to the webinar to find out more about how co-operatives are transforming lives and communities around the world, by creating models for economic and social development that can offer a more equitable, just and humane future. Read more…

Thursday 27th 12noon – 1pm: Second in our Winter Webinar Series Social Economy and Global Development Post 2015 : The Role of MicroFinance in Global Sustainable Development with The Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation. Read more…

December

Tuesday 2nd 12noon – 1pm: Third in our Winter Webinar Series Social Economy and Global Development Post 2015 : Surfing the Waves of Change: 21st Century Competencies for making the Transition to a Collaborative Economy and a Low carbon Futurewith Davie Philip plus Ana Huertes. Read more…

Wednesday 3rd: A Shared Vision for Development Education in Ireland . The aim of this event is to produce an agreed vision for the development education sector in Ireland. This is YOUR chance to shape the vision for development education in Ireland so please attend. The Vision will also influence IDEA's direction as an organisation and Irish Aid's Strategy for Development Education. Read more…

Saturday 13th 11am – 4pm: How to Make Your Campaign Really Fly! This workshop is for anyone who would cares passionately about an issue and would like to get a campaign off the ground, but is not sure about what needs to be done before ‘going public’. This workshop will focus on the question: How we can effectively inspire people to take action in favour of our cause? Facilitator: Siobhán O’ Donoghue has been a community worker and social justice activist for many years. She is a former Director of the Migrant Rights Centre and is now Director of Uplift , a community of people taking coordinated action for progressive change in Ireland. Read more…

Tuesday 9th 2pm- 4pm: Preparing for 2015: The Role of Development Education with Danny Sriskandarajah, Secretary General of CIVICUS.

IDEA and Dóchas are delighted to host a seminar with Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Secretary General of CIVICUS. For 2015 to truly be a year of transformation, civil society needs to rethink how we engage with citizens and how we engage with politics. Dr Danny Sriskandarajah, Secretary General of CIVICUS, the World Alliance of Citizen Participation, will discuss how Irish civil society can contribute to global transformation in 2015. Read more…

Policy and Practice Issue 20: Call for Contributors

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 15:28:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education is inviting contributions to Issue 20 of their bi-annual, open access, peer-reviewed journal Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review. This special issue will celebrate their tenth anniversary under the theme ‘Reflections and Projections’; a revisiting of the very first issue in 2005. In this issue, they will consider the journey taken by development education over the past decade. How has the sector changed in this period in terms of practice? Does the sector offer a radical pedagogy for global citizenship that can achieve more critical and sustained civic engagement on development issues? How has the policy environment shifted over the last ten years, particularly in a recessionary world? We would welcome articles that project into the sector’s future and suggest how policy and practice in development education could or should evolve going forward. For example, how should the sector engage with the European Year of Development in 2015 or the post-2015 development framework that replaces the Millennium Development Goals?

Articles should be submitted on or before Monday, 5 January 2015. Authors interested in submitting an article should send a 300 word précis to stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com.

Trócaire Falls for IDEA’s Young “Autumn Activists”

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 14:21:00 GMT

On the 4 ^th of November IDEA staff members alongside two of the Young global advocates form the “Challenging the Crisis” Project were invited to Trocaire Offices in Maynooth, to speak to staff members as part of Trocaire’s event Autumn Activists.

Members of many different departments of Trocaire attended the event to get a broader view of what it is IDEA does and about Development Education, The event was also recorded so that Trocaire staff In the International Offices would also to be able to share the experience, our Director Frank Geary Presented on this.

Later on in the event Elaine Mahon Introduced the Young Global Advocates, Adam Sweetman and Deirdre McAdams. Both Global Advocates spoke about what “ Challenging the Crisis ” is and how they got involved. They then went on to speak about their campaign and their strategy and that it would be published in early January across all partner states. Both Adam and Deirdre spoke very passionately and received a great level engagement from all attended.

Read Policy and Practice 19 Online Now!

Wed, 05 Nov 2014 13:00:00 GMT

Issue 19 of the Centre for Global Education 's bi-annual, peer reviewed journal, Policy & Practice: A Development Education Review , has been published and is now available online. The theme of this issue is ‘Finding the “Historically Possible”: Contexts, Limits and Possibilities in Development Education’ which suggests that the differentiation and diversity of development education in terms of education settings, providers and target groups can serve to limit or expand its possibilities.

This issue considers the limits and possibilities of DE in a range of contexts including critical literacy, corporate power and compassionate global citizenship. It reflects on recent development education initiatives that have sought to expand the sector’s possibilities in the tertiary and business sectors, and in the promotion of and access to DE resources. It also offers a compelling case study of community activism in the face of corporate and state power in Cajamarca, Peru which reminds us of the social and economic injustices which make development education necessary. We hope you enjoy this issue and find that it offers some inspiration to your practice and activism wherever you are located.

Read Issue 19 of Policy and Practice.

Please feel free to leave comments on Policy and Practice articles on the journal’s facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/policyandpractice

Upcoming courses from Comhlámh

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:24:00 GMT

Volunteering Overseas – Where do I Start? This one day participatory course offers people who are thinking of going to the global south the opportunity to explore key issues in depth, including the questions to ask both themselves and volunteer sending agencies before making any decisions. For more information or to book please click here or contact Susan T. 01 478 3490, E: susan@comhlamh.org

Date: Saturday, November 1st, 9:45am to 4:30 pm
Venue: Comhlámh, Freire Room, 12 Parliament Street, Dublin 2
Cost: €15 Comhlámh member, €30 non-member, €1 asylum seeker

Comhlámh Coming Home Weekend: This residential weekends are a chance to carve out that space to reflect on the time spent overseas, to explore the transition of coming back home and to have the chance to debate, share and hear from others as well as get to know what is happening in Ireland in the development, community and activist scene. For more information or to book please click here or contact Susan, T: 01 478 3490, E: susan@comhlamh.org

Date: The weekend of the 1st and 2nd November 2014
Venue: Stella Maris Retreat Centre in Howth, Co. Dublin
Cost: The fee for the weekend is €50 and includes all meals and overnight accommodation, all facilitation by experienced returned development workers and an optional social gathering on Saturday night.

Comhlamh Trade Justice Course, – Starting Oct 23rd in the Comhlámh Office, 12 Parliament St, Dublin 2. There are still places available on this 6 week evening courses which aims to get you up to speed on some of the key issues, perspectives and debate around trade and the developing world, and reassure you that you don’t need a degree in economics to have an opinion on these issues!. The fee for is €60 for non-member, €30 member and €2 asylum. For more information or to book a place, please click here or contact Susan on 01 478 3490 or susan@comhlamh.org

One World Week 2014 a Month Away

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 17:45:00 GMT

One World Week 2014 (November 15th – 23rd) is just under ONE MONTH away!
The National Youth Council of Ireland have EXTENDED the One World Week Film Competition Deadline – by one week so the new and FINAL deadline is Monday 27th October. They have received some GREAT entries so far. Get YOUR entry in via deved@nyci.ie. As well as prizes on offer, the films will be showcased in the Abbey Theatre on Wednesday, November 19th.

The NYCI are taking FINAL requests for One World Week FREE Training in YOUR county. Let them know by October 24th (this Friday) if you are interested in hosting or being part of a training (including days/dates that suit you best).

The One World Week CENTRAL EVENT will take place on Wednesday, November 19th 2014 in the Abbey Theatre from 10am – 4pm. There will be films, drama, conversation, music, debate, and most of all…FUN! It promises to be a great opportunity to learn more about development education and global youth work

To get involved email Valerie in the NYCI: deved@nyci.ie or visit wwwoneworldweek.ie

Invitation to mark the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October at Dublin’s Docklands

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 10:35:00 GMT

The UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty Commemoration – beginning on Friday 17 October at 11am close to the Famine Memorial on Custom House Quay, Dublin – is an opportunity for people and communities to have their voices heard through personal testimonies from people who experience poverty, as well as through music, stories, and presentations from school children. Different people will share their experiences and hopes.

The Irish 17 October Committee (www.17october.ie) invites you to join people from all walks of life and from every sector of society who will come together to express solidarity with people experiencing poverty and social exclusion.

The 2014 UN theme of the Day is :“Leave No One Behind: Think, Decide and Act Together Against Extreme Poverty”. “Leave No One Behind”- means putting an end to discrimination based on social disadvantage, and ensuring that no one is forgotten in our efforts to build a more equitable world. “Think, Decide and Act Together Against Extreme Poverty”- means deciding to do what it takes to ensure that people living in extreme poverty become the primary partners in programmes to overcome poverty and promote development. Only by working together with them will we be able to ensure that no one is left out.
Follow news about the UN day: @17octcomIRL – Tweet and support the worldwide mobilisation: #EndPoverty – Join the Thunderclap: you can sign up to donate your social media profile (Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr) so that a message will be sent out all around the world all at the same time (17 October at 1:00 pm NY City time – just as the event at the United Nations is beginning): http://thndr.it/1sxLiS0 – Poster to invite around you can be downloaded at www.17october.ie/?p=371

Budget 2015: IDEA Response

Wed, 15 Oct 2014 12:54:00 GMT

Halt to Aid Cuts Welcome but Government Urged to Clarify Long-Term Aid Plan and Invest More in Public Awareness of Global Development

2015 a key year for Ireland’s involvement in global development.

Irish development education organisations have welcomed the Government announcement in Budget 2015 that cuts to Ireland’s aid programme have halted. IDEA, the Irish Development Education Association, a national platform for NGOs and educators committed to education for global justice, is also urging the Government to sustain Ireland’s solidarity with developing countries and to outline a clear timeline for reaching the promise agreed by Ireland in front of World Leaders in 2000: to donate 0.7% of our Gross National Income (GNI) to Overseas Development.

“Ireland’s overseas development programme tackles the root causes of poverty and inequality. We welcome the stabilisation in ODA but if we want to achieve social justice at home and abroad, the government must put Ireland back on track to meet our commitment to the world’s poorest people and meet our target of 0.7% of GNI,” stated IDEA Director, Frank Geary.

2015 is a key year for Global Development with important decisions being made on Climate Change and the formation of a new set of Sustainable Development Goals. These decisions will affect Irish people. IDEA urges the Government to do more to engage the Irish public in critical discussion of, and involvement in, these global decisions. Ireland has historically been seen as a leader on the global stage in the area of overseas development. Recent public opinion surveys show that three quarters of Irish people remain committed to overseas aid in spite of our current circumstances. There is a strong consensus that Ireland has an obligation to invest in overseas aid. [1]

15/10/2014 Dublin.

Notes

The statement in the Budget is as follows: “For 2015, some €476 million is being provided through the International Cooperation Vote of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Combined with our share of the EU Development Cooperation Vote, and contributions from other Government Departments, this will bring our overall Official Development Assistance to some €600 million.” Source: http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2015/EstimateStatement.aspx#section10.5

The United Nations will meet to agree on a set of Sustainable Development Goals to replace the Millennium Development Goals which were agreed in 2000 and are due to have been achieved by 2015. The Climate Change Summit to be held in September in Paris will seek to achieve binding emissions limits to halt the impacts of Climate Change.For more on the UN SD Goals see: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300

Development Education in Adult and Community Settings: Good Practice Guidelines

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 16:48:00 GMT

Produced by the IDEA Community Sector Working Group, this publication provides a set of good practice guidelines for organisations and individuals working, or intending to work, on development education within the adult and community education sectors. The guidelines are intended for practitioners and policy makers, and serve a number of functions:

• as an educational tool for individuals and organisations who want to establish, improve or refresh their practice of development education;

• as an advocacy document for practitioners and policy makers who would like to showcase the value and relevance of development education within their sector and integrate it as a core element of their work;

• as a planning document for policy makers and practitioners who want to develop or revise their internal development education programme or priorities.

These guidelines are a stepping stone towards the embedding of good practice throughout a programme of work.

Good Practice Guidelines

IDEA is Seeking an External Consultant

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 14:23:00 GMT

IDEA is seeking an external evaluator for its three-year Capacity Development Programme. The evaluation will measure the overall impact of the Capacity Development Programme and the extent to which expected outcomes have been met. The evaluation also will identify the lessons learned from the programme and make recommendations for future work on capacity building in the sector. This role is to be carried out on a consultancy basis over 15 months, from November 2014 until January 2016.

Closing date for receipt of tenders: 24 October 2014.

Terms of reference available to download below.

Irish Aid Development Education 2015 Funding Call Announced

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 13:23:00 GMT

Irish Aid have today announced that their call for Development Education Annual Grants proposals (DE) 2015 will open on the 7th October. Applicants must request an “eligibility criteria form” from Irish Aid by Mondya October 20th. Key dates:

1. Deadline to return this completed form is today Thursday 23rd October

2. Deadline for the final application is Thursday 27th November at 5pm

All the information, including the “Frequently Asked Questions” document is on their website here (Click on the “Applying for Funding” tab)

The FAQ is also attached below for your convenience.

Welcome to our new website!

Thu, 02 Oct 2014 15:20:00 GMT

Welocme to the new IDEA website!

To celebrate the launch of our website we are inviting you on a treasure hunt … through the site. The treasure is the inspiring quote from Paulo Freire above, which is buried somewhere in the text on one of our pages. All you have to do is find it, send us the url (the weblink) and we will enter you into a draw for the fantastic prize of:

Send the url (together with your name and contact details) to communications@ideaonline.ie . Please share with your networks and social media friends.

Our new website will be an important tool in IDEA’s communication activities, helping us to illustrate Development Education, to showcase good practice , to share the great work of members and to bring development education to wider audiences. However, it is not just a pretty face: the new website will allow IDEA to manage our contacts, event registrations and payments, and membership applications. There is also a dedicated private members space where IDEA members can access members-only projects such as the Baseline Data Bank. We have a full searchable listing of members AND an interactive map showing the location of members.

A big thank you to Marc and Odran from Blue Bloc who are responsible for the design and build of the site.

We hope this new website communicates the vibrancy and diversity of the IDEA membership. We look forward to your comments and interaction online!

Young People: Connected, Respected & Empowered

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 12:57:00 GMT

Roundtable on Development Education (Global Youth Work) & Youth

Dublin Castle, Wednesday 8th October, 10.00 – 16.30

This event, organised by the National Youth Council of Ireland, is the beginning of a process which will inform the creation of a strategy for Development Education/Global Youth Work in the Irish Youth Work Sector in 2015. The Roundtable will gather approx 80 people together to discuss key issues, mapping the way forward for Development Education and Youth in Ireland. The event is aimed at management of and practitioners in youth work, development education and development. It is open to youth organisations, youth workers, youth leaders, those involved in policy making, and young people. The event will be addressed by key youth work personnel, policy makers, academics and young people.

Creating Resources for Development Education: New Guidelines to be Published

Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:12:00 GMT

IDEA is delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of Guidelines for Producing Development Education Resources by www.developmenteducation.ie . They will be launched on Monday the 13th October and will be available to download and in a limited print run on the day. The launch will coincide with an IDEA event “ Writing Stronger Funding Applications ” on the same afternoon. Everyone is welcome to attend the launch but you must register if you wish to attend the subsequent event.

The Guidelines have been produced by the website team in collaboration with IDEA and Dóchas.

Ireland has a long and recognised tradition of producing high quality development education resources at all levels that stretches more than 40 years. Resources are a product of their time. Just as development issues, curriculum needs and learning contexts change, resources need updating – whether it’s content, context or the facts. These guidelines have been developed by www.developmenteducation.ie, Dóchas and IDEA following the Audit of Irish Development Education Resources report (2013) in order to animate and support anyone – whether an individual or an organisation – thinking about producing resources. The guidelines have been informed by the findings of the audit in consultation with development education practitioners. They are not intended to be prescriptive; rather they represent a set of collective ideas and suggestions for discussion and debate.

The aims of these guidelines are fivefold:

Just a Second!

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 17:05:00 GMT

IDEA members, Afri, have just released a new development education resource entitled Just a Second! Exploring Global Issues Through Drama and Theatre , written by Pete Mullineaux and aimed at primary and secondary schools.

Check it out here !

Learn more about Afri.

Proudly Made in Africa

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 17:01:00 GMT

Check out this great animated video Value Added in Africa have made to communicate their work.

Value Added in Africa work to connect African producers with Irish markets and true to their values this has been produced by Studio Ang based in Nairobi!

New student on Placement for “Challenging the Crisis” Project

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:09:00 GMT

Currently Sharon is a Volunteer in a local youth Service in Ballyfermot, the ABLE Garda youth diversion programme. She has recently returned from a volunteering placement with Nurture Africa in Uganda.

We are delighted to have Sharon as part of the team.

Watch this space for more information.

You can contact Sharon here .

Membership Renewals now due!

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 10:50:00 GMT

It is January and time to renew your membership. Please complete the membership renewal form or for further information click here .

Closing Time on the “Double Irish”

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:10:00 GMT

Note: This is an opinion piece intended to provoke discussion and reflection. It does not necessarily reflect the views of IDEA. We welcome comments and critical engagement!

Today (Wednesday 17th September) saw the welcome announcement from the OECD that moves to stop aggressive tax avoidance by big multinational companies were being put in place. With today's announcement comes fear that Ireland's (controversial) allure will be tarnished and large multinational companies will leave, taking their jobs with them. This is a truly global issue that has local implications. It also is an illustration of the impact that political pressure through collective public action can have on a global level.For these reasons, today's announcement should be a great resource for anyone involved in Development Education in Ireland.If we remove the jargon (Beps?) and the many acronyms at the core of this discussion is a battle between human values and the profit imperatives of capitalism. The OECD describe their proposals as “good citizenship”. If they succeed it will be a demonstration that international institutions, such as the OECD, prompted by public outrage can in fact make changes to the global economic system, changes that result in a fairer world for everyone.

To summarise the announcement made today; The OECD is calling on Ireland to unwind some elements of our corporate tax regime. The so-called “double Irish” is a system that allows companies based abroad to be registered as Irish companies. It is used to route profits through Ireland and onto other Irish-incorporated campanies based in tax havens such as Bermuda. Apple paid only 2% tax on its foreign earnings in 2012. A key point is that these measures are expected to be agreed and implemented by all OECD member nations collectively. The Group of 20 will meet next January to agree on a way to put the plan into action. The OECD is not singling Ireland out or even accusing the Irish government of wrongdoing. In fact, the messaging is quite interesting. “Is Ireland guilty? Of course not. It is being used,” said Pascal Saint-Aman, the OECD's tax policy director. Our relatively low corporate tax rate (12.5%) is not the issue here, although that has frequently come under fire from other EU countries. So, should we be delighted that international insitutions are doing something that (on the surface at least) seems to be for the public interest? Or should we be afraid that big employers will leave Ireland and scupper our nascent economic recovery?

Let's take the first point: that tax avoidance is a truly local-global issue. Apple and Google are 2 large multinational companies that have been present in Ireland for decades. Between them they employ tens of thousands of people in Cork and Dublin. Their factories and offices provide jobs and they use the services of the local economy. Their activities bring people to Ireland for temporary vists and shine a light on our country to the world. There is no doubt that their presence is of value to us.

Imagine that Apple were to close its factory in Cork City: 2,000 people would be no longer employed, many people would leave, shops, catering companies, bars, restaurants would suffer reduced trade. The government would be obliged to step in and support these people in their transition to new work. The local city council would have less money to keep the streets clean and safe. What would happen if Ireland implemented the OECD's proposed new tax regime? The Irish government would receive more in revenue from Apple- money that could alleviate our debt burden and the austerity measures that every citizen in Ireland has been affected by. Apple would pay more tax on its profits. Or, they might leave. They may decide to relocate that factory to a country with a “more competitive tax environment”, let’s day Honduras, for example. Communities in the Honduras are affected in exactly the same way. Tax avoidance weakens already underfunded Governments. Not only does this lead to lower spending on public services, it weakens the Government’s ability to regulate issues such as working conditions and environmental protection.

The second point is about demonstrating the efficacy of collective action on global outcomes. Everytime the NGO sector or Avaaz ask you to sign a petition, what do you believe will happen? It is difficult to tell the story of a single act- from signing the petition to seeing the effect of the changes with your own eyes. With donations it is still complex but it is an easier story to tell. We can see videos and pictures of the goat we purchased standing with the family who have received it. As development educators we are frequently asking learners to go beyond donating money to a good cause. We hope learners will become critically engaged in the issue and take action to tackle its root causes. With such complex, global issues it can be difficult to see the impact of that action. The risk is that people lose their passion, their outrage and stop trying to make a difference.

The OECD were prompted to examine aggressive tax avoidance by global leaders present at the Group of Eight Summit last year in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland. Those leaders were under political pressure to combat tax avoidance. That pressure came from public outrage. That outrage came from media stories about Apple and Google, from growing disquiet about the extent of public bailouts of banks and from the efforts of NGOs to inform and activate the public on these issues. Are we now seeing a (potential) global solution to tax avoidance, as a result of public action? If so, what else is possible?

Next year is the European Year for Development, and the year that the Millennium Development Goals end and a new set of global goals are agreed. An international Climate Summit will be held. Decisions will be taken next year that will have impacts for generations to come, possible for centuries to come. How can we affect those decisions? That is the crucial question that we as Development Educators MUST be able to answer.We have to be able to join the dots from local action to global change and back again to local impacts. If the OECD successfully tackle aggressive global tax avoidance they may provide us with at least some evidence that it can be done.

Author: Eimear McNally

NOTES:

Tender for External Specialist Services to support Irish Aid on Development Education

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:23:00 GMT

Irish Aid is now seeking to appoint a panel of independent external experts to provide professional services associated with the implementation of the Development Education Strategy. It is proposed to establish a panel of up to five external specialists, from which the Development Education Unit will draw, to provide specialist technical expertise to support, in particular, the administration of funding.

Deadline is September 22nd.

Read more… (You must log-in to the e-tenders website to access documents and to apply)

Busy Summer for IDEA’s Young Global Advocates

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:13:00 GMT

It has been a busy summer with Challenging the Crisis! The Global Youth Forum took place in Brussels in the first week of July. This brought all 60 Young Global Advocates from each of the partner countries together for the first time. During the Forum they chose the theme of Social Economy as the basis for their forthcoming campaign. The Irish Young Global Advocates also spoke at the IDEA Conference on the 12th June and hosted a conversation with delegates on the role of Youth in local and global justice. You can look forward to hearing much more about their activities soon!

In the meantime you can catch up with them on Facebook.

Image above: Young Global Advocates deep in discussion with Conference attendees at the IDEA Conference, “What to Learn NOW for the Future We Want”

IDEA Autumn Events

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:53:00 GMT

Autumn is upon us and IDEA has lots of practical training to offer its members. You can register and pay online now to secure your place. Events are either FREE or low-cost for IDEA members. You can contact Susan Gallwey at anytime to ask for more information on IDEA's Capacity Development programme for members.

Working with Results-Based Approaches in Development Education

Wed 24 Sept 1:30pm – 4:30pm

IDEA Offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

This event is now over.

Writing Stronger Funding Applications

Mon 13th Oct, 11am- 1:30pm

The College of Anaesthetists, 22 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2.

€25 for Members, €55 for non-members.

This event is now over.

Re-visiting and Re-vitalising Your Strategic Plan

21st October, 10am- 1pm at the IDEA Offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

This event is now over

Getting ‘over the line’ with the Governance Code

Wed 29th October 2pm- 4pm

IDEA, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1
€20 for IDEA members, €40 for non-members

Is your organisation working towards compliance with the Governance Code? If so, you probably have a list of questions, clarifications and problems that would benefit from an expert’s opinion. This session is aimed at organisations that are working towards compliance with the Governance Code for Community and Voluntary Organisations. Guided by Deirdre Garvey, Director of The Wheel and IDEA’s own Good Governance Group. Read more…

Coming Soon…

Please sign up for our E-Circular (below) to be notified when details of events are confirmed.

Campaigning (in collaboration with “Challenging the Crisis”)

(November) This practical, fun, hands-on workshop will explore all aspects of campaigning, including how to ‘frame’ an issue, how to engage the interest of the general public, and how to reach the policy-makers that matter. Aimed at young people, NGO/CSO staff, and anyone who is passionate about an issue and who wants to make a difference.

Creativity and Change: Apply Now

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:36:00 GMT

Creativity and Change.

This is a CIT approved Special Purpose Award at Level 8 (10 credits) certificate supported by Irish Aid. Creativity & Change is about creativity and its power to ignite empathy, passion and learning about our interconnected and interdependent world. Duration is Seven 2/3 day blocks Oct 2014 to May 2015.

Email creativityandchange@cit.ie or call Nora on 086 3765686. Apply online at www.creativityandchange.info

Deadline 19th September.

Centre for Global Education Seeking a Number of Positions

Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:29:00 GMT

The Centre for Global Education in Belfast is advertising for the following internship, consultancy and paid positions:

Deadline for the above 3 paid positions is 5pm 26 Sept 2014. For more information contact Stephen McCloskey and see the Centre for Global Education website.

Working with Results-Based Approaches

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 12:37:00 GMT

Working with Results-Based Approaches : A seminar hosted by IDEA and Dóchas
Wed 24 September 1:30 – 4:30 pm
At IDEA’s new offices, 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

This half-day seminar, hosted by Dóchas and IDEA, aims to build confidence and skills in working with results-based approaches. The session will include: a presentation from a development NGO expert on the ideas behind results-based management, a presentation from a DE organisation on their experience of applying results-based approaches to development education projects, and a practical exercise in working with Results Frameworks.

Test News

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 13:33:00 GMT

Test News

IDEA AGM and Conference Over

Tue, 02 Sep 2014 11:58:00 GMT

AGM

IDEA held its 2014 Annual General Meeting on the 12th June at Wynn's Hotel in Dublin; the same venue (indeed the same room) where IDEA's first meeting as an Association was held in 2004. After the AGM a ten-year celebration took place.

Forner IDEA Directors and Chairpersons and key IDEA supproters from it's lifetime contributed their reflections.

Minutes. including decisions made at the AGM, were sent to all members in the next 2 weeks.

Annual Conference

IDEA's Annual Conference took place on June 13th at Wynn's Hotel. Amitabh Behar, co-chair of GCAP delivered the keynote address. Watch a summary video of Amitabh's keynote address here

IDEA's Young Global Advocates presented the Challenging the Crisis Project. Conversations were held in the afternoon in response to the overall question: “What should we be learning NOW to create the Future We Want?”

On online campaign also collected responses to this question- you can read them and watch the videos on our specially-created platform here:

http://whattolearnnow.blogspot.ie/

We Have Moved!

Sat, 02 Aug 2014 12:00:00 GMT

WE HAVE MOVED!

Our new address and number is

Irish Development Education Association

NEW postal address: 6 Gardiner Row, Dublin 1

NEW phone number: 01 878 8480

Mobile: 00353 (0) 87-9747579

Facebook: Idea Ireland

Twitter: IDEAIreland

#learnNOW – The Campaign

Thu, 03 Jul 2014 13:28:00 GMT

What do YOU think?

Ahead of the conference, IDEA wishes to engage the Irish public in conversation around the question of education for a more just and sustainable world. We are asking you:

What should we, in Ireland, learn NOW to create the future we want?
Education plays a key role in facilitating widespread change. What should we be learning NOW to ensure our planet remains healthy and safe, to create the best possible societies for our children, and to give the human race a chance of not just surviving but thriving for generations to come.

The objective of this campaign is stimulate widespread public debate about the role of education in creating a more just and sustainable world. We want to hear what people think we should be learning NOW to create a better future for everyone. We want the conversation to surface varying perspectives; conservative to radical, right to left, specific to broad. The conversation will be open, shared and accessible for everyone. We will collect your opinions and responses and display them at our conference and create a report that shares them all.

Anyone who engages in the campaign will be invited to come to the conference for face-to-face conversation and an opportunity to engage with others who care about learning now to create the future we want.

Tweet @Ideaireland #LearnNOW

Post to IdeaIreland facebook page

Email Eimear@ideaonline.ie

The Challenge of Learning for a Post-Carbon Future

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:53:00 GMT

David Hicks, freelance educator and visiting Professor at Bath Spa University addresses this question in the guest blog below. He is the author of many books , articles and teaching resources including Educating for Hope in Troubled Times: Climate change and the transition to a post-carbon future (2014) Trentham/IOE Press and Lessons for the Future: The missing dimension in education (2006) Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing.

In this guest blog David Hicks challenges schools, and geography teachers in particular, to build the foundations and develop the skills needed to work towards a postcarbon future.

www.teaching4abetterworld. co.uk

Where are we going?

Nearly thirty years ago Rex Walford (1984, p. 207) argued that if the future is unavoidable we should at least not walk backwards into it. The future we are faced with now will not be one of inevitable ‘progress’ and growth. It cannot be ‘Business as Usual’ in the face of growing climate change, an impending energy crisis and the need to move to a post-carbon future. So do current geography teaching and research critically challenge or unthinkingly support a high carbon view of the future?

Energy matters

The fruits of contemporary civilisation depend upon an abundance of coal, oil and gas. These, and the by-products of their extraction, from chemicals and plastics to fertilisers and pesticides, have given us our ultra-mobile world. But fossil fuels now need to stay in the ground unless we want current extreme weather conditions around the world to become even more severe (Berners- Lee and Clark, 2013). What helped create the rich world’s wealth now comes directly to threaten it. However, as Lester Brown highlights in World on the Edge (2011), out of threat can also come positive opportunities for change. Fossil fuels threaten, in varying degrees, both our future and our children’s future – if we continue to use them rather than phasing them out. Nuclear energy is hailed by governments as a ‘green’ answer to these energy problems, but is high-level nuclear waste a hazard we should bequeath to future generations? The renewable family – wind, water, tide, solar and biomass, which produce no greenhouse gas emissions – has to be the principal route to a post-carbon future. As Elliot and Urry (2010) point out: In the twentieth century, powerful high-carbon, path-dependent systems were set in place, locked in through various economic and social institutions … As the century unfolded, these lock-ins meant that the world came to be left with a high and unsustainable carbon legacy … A ‘carbon shift’ is inevitable. (p. 132)

Both climate change and the shift to a postcarbon society are ‘wicked problems’: that is, they have no straightforward answer due to their complexity and the differing interpretations people put on them. This is why a number of observers are arguing that we face a long social and cultural transition to a post-carbon society in the years ahead. David Orr (2009), a leading writer on education for sustainability, argues that for two centuries we’ve been on a collision course with the ecological limits of the Earth, that these issues of sustainability will not be solved by this generation or the next and that this transition will require all our skill, wisdom, foresight and political creativity. Is this being alarmist, or should geographers and others at least hold these as possible, if not probable, truths?

A post-carbon future

Various commentators have begun to flesh out the parameters of a sustainable post-carbon future. Across the globe, at levels from the international and national to community and school, transition schemes have been initiated. Excellent updates can be found in The Transition Companion (Hopkins, 2012) and the Fossil Free UK website, whilst for the classroom there is Sustainable Schools, Sustainable Futures (Hicks, 2012) and Learning for Sustainability in Times of Accelerating Change (Wals and Corcoran, 2012). The wider subject backdrop is set out in Morgan’s (2012) Teaching Secondary Geography as if the Planet Matters.

Clearly the notion of a post-carbon geography is still in its early stages and there is everything to play for. By definition it must be critically reflective both in relation to what we teach and how we teach. The difficulties students experience when faced with messages of ‘doom and gloom’, especially when no space is given for them to share how they feel about this, are highlighted by Kelsey and Armstrong:

We need to acknowledge the enormity of environmental problems, and share our feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, fear and hopelessness. We need to create spaces and opportunities to help kids explore and share their own feelings. We also need to move beyond the narrative of ‘doom and gloom’ toward more hopeful narratives grounded in resiliency, well-being, happiness and health (Kelsey and Armstrong, 2012, p. 190).

This is not likely to happen unless teachers can be open both to their own and their students’ hopes and fears about issues such as climate change. This is why I believe there need to be four dimensions in any investigation of such issues. These are:

1. Knowing – what do we need to know about this issue?

2. Feeling – what are our hopes and concerns in relation to this issue?

3. Choosing – what are our options?

4. Acting – what are others doing/might school want to do in relation to this issue?

Education is never merely a cognitive affair, although knowledge is central to good geography. It also has a strong affective element, since learning about people and the environment always gives rise to a range of emotional responses. To leave these unacknowledged is to only half achieve the educational task. Young people need safe spaces in which they feel able to share both their hopes and their concerns about issues. Feeling heard and supported, as against unacknowledged and dismissed, leaves one with a sense of hope – my feelings are respected, there are others who feel like me. Young people are also less fearful about an issue if they know what adults and other students are doing to help resolve things. This is where it is important to share sustainable success stories, e.g. from the Low Energy Sustainable Schools programme as well as examples of biodiversity protection or building more sustainable communities (Figure 4). Such stories from around the world show that what can seem unchangeable can be reconceptualised and acted upon (Hopkins, 2012).

An ecologically and socially active school is one which engages critically with the community in action for sustainable change. The purpose of such change is to build the foundations and develop the skills needed to work towards a postcarbon future. In the absence of such a critically reflective approach geography will merely continue to reflect the high carbon values of an inequitable world. Geography should be the lead subject in these matters. Having been a lifelong geographer I know that the subject is indeed capable of rising to this challenge.

—–

This blog is adapted from a longer article, entitled, A Post-Carbon Geography published in Teaching Geography in Summer 2013. It was produced for IDEA’s 2014 Annual Conference, What to Learn NOW for the Future We Want. The Conference aims to question and emphasise the role of education on creating a more just and sustainable future.

What to Learn NOW: How to Make Schools more caring, inclusive places

Fri, 20 Jun 2014 14:42:00 GMT

Dr Gerry Jeffers, lecturer in the education department in NUI Maynooth responds to our question: what should we be learning now to create the future we want?

Activities of Members

Tue, 10 Jun 2014 12:29:00 GMT

Our Young Global Advocates in Ireland have met twice and are beginning to look forward to the Global Youth Forum in Brussels in July…

What to learn NOW for the Future We Want

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 13:31:00 GMT

IDEA's Annual Conference will take place on June 13th in Wynn's Hotel, Abbey Street, Dublin 1

This year, IDEA's Annual Conference asks everyone to consider what we should be learning NOW to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone. Development Education is about enabling people to critically engage and to act to create the world they want.

What do YOU think?

Ahead of the conference, IDEA wishes to engage the Irish public in conversation around the question of education for a more just and sustainable world. We are asking you:

Tweet @Ideaireland #LearnNOW

Post to IdeaIreland facebook page

Email Eimear@ideaonline.ie

Members Activities Item

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 12:29:00 GMT

Our Young Global Advocates in Ireland have met twice and are beginning to look forward to the Global Youth Forum in Brussels in July…

Young Global Advocates

Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:16:00 GMT

Our Young Global Advocates in Ireland have met twice and are beginning to look forward to the Global Youth Forum in Brussels in July when all the Advocates will come together and plan a big campaign.

In the meantime, everyone is getting to know each other on our ning platform !

Finding Frames – Engaging the Irish public

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:25:00 GMT

9th April, 9:30am Dublin (Camden Court Hotel, Camden Street, Dublin 2).

Research Launch

The Dóchas Development Education Group (DEG) are launching a piece of recently commissioned research that focused on analysing NGO communication materials from the perspective of Frames and Values. Dóchas commissioned Dr Caroline Murphy to analyse some of their members’ public messaging. The research examined how Irish development NGOs frame global poverty and international development, and which frames and values are dominating contemporary communications.

You can find the Agenda for the day and a summary of the research below.

To register to attend this event please email anna@dochas.ie.

Consultation
At the same event there will be a short consultation on the draft Guidelines for Producing Development Education Resource s which is currently being produced by 80:20 in collaboration with IDEA and Dóchas. If producing resources is part of your work then make sure you participate in this consultation! Read more…

Email Eimear McNally for more information: Eimear@ideaonline.ie

Guidelines for Producing Development Education Resources

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 15:15:00 GMT

IDEA is delighted to announce the forthcoming publication of Guidelines for Producing Development Education Resource s by www.developmenteducation.ie The Guidelines have been produced by the website team in collaboration with IDEA and Dóchas.

Ireland has a long and recognised tradition of producing high quality development education resources at all levels that stretches more than 40 years. Resources are a product of their time. Just as development issues, curriculum needs and learning contexts change, resources need updating – whether it’s content, context or the facts. These guidelines have been developed by www.developmenteducation.ie , Dóchas and IDEA following the Audit of Irish Development Education Resources report (2013) in order to animate and support anyone – whether an individual or an organisation – thinking about producing resources. The guidelines have been informed by the findings of the audit in consultation with development education practitioners. They are not intended to be prescriptive; rather they represent a set of collective ideas and suggestions for discussion and debate.

The aims of these guidelines are fivefold:

We hope to get some practical feedback from the DE sector on these Guidelines before they are finalised. If you are unable to attend the event don't worry email Eimear in IDEA for a draft copy. We will be inviting feedback by email until COB Friday 23rd April.

If producing resources is part of your work then make sure you participate in this consultation!

Email Eimear McNally for more information: Eimear@ideaonline.ie

Together We Stand; Together We Learn

Wed, 05 Mar 2014 12:50:00 GMT

Dear friends,

Last weekend, Joe Costello TD, Minister of State for Trade and International Development, revealed in an interview with the Sunday Business Post that Ireland will not meet its 0.7% of GNP target for overseas aid by the 2015 deadline. Abandoning our aid commitments risks undoing the progress that has been made to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone. IDEA has issued a press release which you can find here . Please circulate this, and please feel free to adapt it. Please also share any feedback and comments with us.

This decision comes at a crucial moment as governments across the world are in the midst of deciding global ambitions and goals for development and sustainability for the next 15 years. The United Nations post-2015 goal-setting process will reach its pinnacle during the coming year. Development education values have been at the heart of the discussion so far. Local global interdependence is central to the current emphasis on taking a universal approach to these goals involving all countries, and by extension all people, throughout the globe. There has also been a strong emphasis on people’s participation in the decisions that affect their lives, highlighting the importance of active citizenship and development education. Therefore, the development education community has a central role to play in this process, both in elaborating these themes and in educating people, politicians, and our own communities about them.

Last week I represented DEEEP and the DARE Forum at a meeting in Istanbul called by the United Nations, CIVICUS , Overseas Development Institute and the UN Foundation to discuss a worldwide civil society mobilization for 2015. The meeting was attended by a range of international NGO’s, civil society networks, campaigners, activists and educators.

It was also agreed that no ‘one size fits all‘ approach could possibly harness the diversity of perspectives, issues and approaches that will be needed to create a global mobilization. So, the meeting decided to aim for light-touch coordination and umbrella communications resources that could be used and adapted in local and national contexts. I worked on a shared narrative which aims to capture key global justice issues. You can read the conference communiqué here . I would be very interested to hear your feedback. CIVICUS will take the process forward in the coming weeks and we will keep you informed of any developments and opportunities. I believe there is an essential role for the development education community in this approach to a post-2015 campaign that is taking a justice centred approach to interdependent issues.

Last year at the IDEA conference we explored the idea of global citizenship and its place in education and activism. The Wheel , the network of Irish community and voluntary organizations, are initiating a process to explore what we understand by citizenship in Ireland today and for the future. Last Saturday I was invited to join a discussion on the question of ‘what do citizens expect and what is expected of citizens?’ This was a challenging, stimulating and very educational few hours. The Wheel will be initiating a series of public conversations between now and 2016 and I would urge IDEA members to join in for both a thought provoking discussion, and a great way to interrogate and reflect on our notions of active citizenship and global citizenship. We will share further news in future e-circulars.

Looking forward to working together on these challenges and opportunities.

All the best,
Frank

IDEA Responds to Government Decision to Abandon Aid Target

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 13:34:00 GMT

On Sunday 2nd March, Minister Joe Costello announced in an interview with the Sunday Business Post that the Government has admitted it does not intend to fulfill Ireland's commitments to donate 0.7% of our Gross National Income towards ODA (Overseas Development Assistance) by 2015. The commitment was first made in 2000 by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern when Ireland was securing a place on the UN Security Council.

IDEA says, “Aid not only supports the poorest people in the world, it supports long-term development and helps to break the cycles that keep people and communities poor. It is also about educating people in Ireland about what we can do to tackle the root causes of injustice and inequality. Abandoning our aid commitments risks undoing all the progress that has been made to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone.”

Ireland has historically been seen as a leader on the global stage in the area of overseas development. Recent public opinion surveys show that 83% of EU citizens support ODA and want their governments to keep their aid promises. IDEA is calling on the Government to sustain Ireland’s positive international status and outline a new timeline for reaching the 0.7% target.

Recorded Webinar: Choosing and Using Data Collection Tools

Wed, 29 Jan 2014 15:27:00 GMT

Tuesday 11 February, 11:00 – 12:30

Webinar on Choosing and Using Data Collection Tools

This webinar aimed to build skills in choosing and using the most effective tools to measure progress towards your stated outcomes.

Alasdhair Collins and Dörthe Pommerening of dp evaluation introduced us to data collection tools suitable for a range of contexts, and guided us through their use. Click on the link below to watch and listen to the webinar. Enjoy!

Stream the webinar

About:
The webinar is FREE but you must register by Friday 7 February . For all of you who have spent precious time constructing a good Results Framework: This webinar will ensure that you have the skills to collect the data that you need to ‘prove’ your outcomes!

IDEA Submission on CSPE Short Course

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 15:43:00 GMT

IDEA welcomes the CSPE Short Course on Citizenship as an essential opportunity to foreground social justice issues within the formal curriculum and infuse a global dimension into teaching and learning. Key points in the submission include:

Read more and access the full submission here.

IDEA’s Good Governance Project 2014

Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:54:00 GMT

In 2013, IDEA ran a pilot project supporting 4 member organisations on their journey towards compliance with the Governance Code for Community and Voluntary Organisations. In evaluating the pilot scheme, participants pointed to the benefits of having the support of peers who were working through the same issues, and also the helpfulness of the worked examples and policy templates provided by IDEA. The good news is that IDEA is expanding the project next year to include up to 10 organisations. If you are interested in participating, please contact Susan for further details.

And in the meantime, for organisations working on the governance section of Irish Aid Annual Grant applications — lots of good advice and sample policies are available from The Wheel . You can also read through IDEA's own organisational policies here.

Challenging the Crisis: Host Us For A Workshop!

Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:56:00 GMT

'Challenging the Crisis' workshops have taken place in Dublin and Cork during November and December. We would like to thank NYCI for partnering with IDEA on these events, as well as our facilitator Alan Hayes for his inspiring work! IDEA Members CIT Crawford College of Art and Design, Amnesty Ireland and ECO-UNESCO also hosted the events, and it was a pleasure to collaborate with you all!

Following these ‘public’ workshops, IDEA is now delivering sessions on ‘Challenging the Crisis’ in-house for other organisations. The first of these happens on Thursday 12 December with USI (Union of Students in Ireland). If you are interested in having IDEA in to run a workshop on ‘Challenging the Crisis’ with the young people you work with in early 2014, please contact the Project Coordinator elaine@ideaonline.ie

The 'Challenging the Crisis' workshops are relevant to any young people with an interest in how the global economic crisis is affecting all of us and young people in particular.

Before Christmas, we hope to open our call for ‘Young Global Advocates’ – a core group of young people who will lead on Project activities in Ireland. Immediately after Christmas we will be circulating a survey to gauge young people’s attitudes towards global justice and international development. We will be asking IDEA members to help us reach our target of 600 respondents (aged 16-30 years).

For now you can keep up to date on the Project on the IDEA website and on Facebook www.facebook.com/challengingthecrisis

Download and Listen to our Past Webinars

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 16:15:00 GMT

Listen back to all of IDEA's webinars here!

Creatively Engaging Young People in Social Justice Issues

joint webinar with the NYCI.

he inspiring Barefeet Theatre Company who are based in Zambia work with at-risk children and young people. They empower them to become story tellers and performers. In this webinar members of the theatre company tell the story of its work, describe its impact and share their methods.

@BarefeetTheatre

https://www.facebook.com/BarefeetTheatre

Stream the entire webinar (1hr 8mins)

Download the webinar

Policy and Advocacy Learning Programme

This Trócaire-funded blended learning programme for IDEA members that aimed to increase members' capacity to influence policy that affects the development education sector. Below you will find two webinars that formed part of the learning programme.

8th May 2013

Gerasimos from Action Aid in Greece talks through the Development Education Advocacy Toolkit produced by DEEEP .

Stream the recording

22 May 2013

INTRAC input on advocacy

Stream the recording

“Post 2015” Webinar Series

IDEA ran an online webinar series in Autumn 2013, particularly focusing on issues relating to the post-2015 development framework process.

The High Level Panel Report on the post-2015 Development Agenda: What it’s all about, and is it anything new?

Speaker: Lysa John, Outreach Officer of the UN HLP secretariat

Lysa gave us an overview of the new HLP report, A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development . She focused on the ‘five big transformative shifts’ outlined in the report and explored the role of Civil Society in translating these changes into action.

To kick-start your thinking on this topic, please watch this two-minute video: http://www.post2015hlp.org/inourhands/

Download Lysa's presentation

Listen to the webinar discussion here (Recording starts at 1.06)

Knowledge from Experience: Building the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda with People Living in Extreme Poverty

Speaker: Brendan Coyne, ATD Fourth World

ATD Fourth World, is an international NGO which seeks to find solutions to extreme poverty. Brendan recently completed a two year project working with people living in extreme poverty in 12 different countries to evaluate the effectiveness of the current MDGs and to create recommendations for the post-2015 development agenda. Brendan described the consultation process of the project and took us through the key points emerging out of the work.

Download the presentation

Listen back to the webinar here

Decent Work as a Development Goal, 1st October, 2013

Speaker, David Joyce, Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Listen to the presentation
Download the presentation slides.

Related web links:

Decent Work video

World Day for Decent Work Website

Why Decent Work Matters video

Education for Sustainable Development, 23rd September, 2013

Speakers:

Professor Daniella Tilbury , Chair of the UNESCO's Global Monitoring and Evaluation Expert's Group, which advises on the assessment of global progress during the UN Decade in Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
Download the presentation

Mags Liddy , Ubuntu Network and University of Limerick
Download the presentation

Integrating the Poverty and Sustainability Agendas in the Post 2015 Process

The final webinar in IDEA's “Post 2015” Webinar series was held on Tuesday 3rd Dec. Cliona Sharkey, Policy and Advocacy Officer with Trócaire delivered a very interesting and accessible presentation on Integrating the Poverty and Sustainability Agendas in the Post 2015 Process. A lively question and answer session followed.

Listen back to the recorded webinar (including Q&A) here:

Download and Listen

Stream

https://ideaonline.webex.com/ideaonline/ldr.php?AT=pb&SP=MC&rID=61532447&rKey=94d0bf533234147c

Finding Partners for Collaborative Fundraising

Tue, 10 Dec 2013 16:08:00 GMT

Many funders are welcoming joint applications from organisations. But how do we find partners?

To enable partner finding, IDEA would like to collect information from interested members. This information will be shared with every member who indicates an interest in partnerships (for both Irish AId and EC funding calls).

Hopefully, this will enable members with similar interests to connect and start work on a joint application. Deadline for responses is Thurs 12th Dec at 5pm. Information will be shared by the following Monday. All you have to do is respond to the following short questions. Please include weblinks and feel free to attach any additional information. We will collate and share.

PARTNER PROFILE

1. Name of Organisation:

2. Name of Contact Person:

3. Contact Details:

4. Website:

5. We wish to focus on the following themes and/or target audiences:

6. Are you looking for partners for for Irish Aid, EC funding or both?

7. What you are looking for in a partner (max 200 words):

8. Additional important info:

IDEA Submission: Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 16:47:00 GMT

read and download here

Funding: European Commission Call Announced

Tue, 26 Nov 2013 16:49:00 GMT

The European Commission has published the Call for Proposals for Non-State Actors and Local Authorities in Development: Raising public awareness of development issues and promoting development education in the European Union

All documents can be found here: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?ADSSChc…

To help applicants, the EC are hosting an information session on the 2nd December. DEEEP4 will also be assisting those interested, check out their website for updates ( www.deeep.org ).

Call for Contributors for Policy and Practice Issue 18

Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:55:00 GMT

The Centre is inviting contributions to Issue 18 of the journal, to be published in Spring 2014 on the theme ‘Development Education and Film’. The aim of this issue is to debate an under-explored and yet important medium for teaching and learning about global issues. We are interested in receiving articles that discuss the use of film as an educational medium from film festivals on specific issues or regions to visual aids tailored to formal and informal education sectors. We also invite articles that evaluate the representation of development issues and developing countries on film or explore the process of film-making and how this impacts on structure, content and messaging. Contributors may additionally wish to assess different forms of film from shorts to features to documentaries. How effective are they in supporting development education practice and enhancing the knowledge of learners?

Articles should be submitted by Friday, 20 December 2013. For some background reading on this theme please see the latest Centre for Global Education Blog titled ‘Development and Film: Are we getting the bigger picture?’.

Article Types
There are three kinds of articles published in Policy and Practice. Focus articles are peer reviewed, between 3,500 and 6,000 words, and should have a strong critical analysis of their topic. The second is a shorter Perspectives article between 2,000 and 4,000 words which tends to be more descriptive and focusing on an aspect of practice. We also publish Viewpoint articles which are designed to provoke debate on a given topic and are more subjective in the presentation of their argument. These articles are also between 2,000 and 4,000 words in length.

Authors interested in submitting an article should send a synopsis of no more than 300 words to stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com. For more information on the journal and to access the full archive of previous issues please click here.

Books for Review
There are two books available for review as part of Issue 18 of Policy and Practice. The books complement the theme of ‘Development Education and Film’ and are as follows:

If you are interested in reviewing either book please contact stephen@centreforglobaleducation.com

Policy and Practice is now on Facebook
Please ‘like’ the journal on Facebook which now has an account at https://www.facebook.com/policyandpractice. We will post new articles and updates on the Facebook site. You can also feedback to the Centre on journal content.

The Role of the Artist is to make Revolution Irresistible

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:02:00 GMT

The budget is looming and a group of activists made up of Comhlámh and IDEA members wish to create the space to discuss the issues involved, explore the impact of austerity on communities locally and globally, and to do something about it! We will be making t shirts from 4pm – 6pm on Monday 30th September in the Comhlámh offices , in advance of the Spectacle of Defiance and Hope – a creative demonstration bringing together diverse groups within the community and voluntary sector. We will be joined by a member of the Spectacle committee to share information about the impact the cuts have had on local communities.

Please join us – come along (with your t-shirt) for a good conversation and a space to get arty for activism!

BYOT (Bring Your own Tshirt!)

One World Week Mini Grants Application Process is OPEN!

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 17:00:00 GMT

Detailed information on the mini grants are available here: http://www.oneworldweek.ie/minigrants

NYCI is thrilled to announce that the mini grants application process for activities and events related to One World Week is NOW OPEN!

We welcome new groups as well as those who have a long record of involvement with One World Week.

Grant applications of up to a maximum of €200 will be considered.

The deadline for receipt of the application at NYCI offices is 15th October , after which all applications will be assessed together.

Applications will not be considered after this date.

If you have arranged OWW training for after this deadline, you can still apply for a mini-grant in advance.

More information regarding One World Week will be available online in the coming weeks.

Looking forward to working together to make this year’s One World Week a MEGA success!!

Please forward applications to: One World Week, NYCI, 3 Montague Street, Dublin 2 or via email to deved@nyci.ie

Briefing on WWGS Grants Scheme: 17th Sept

Thu, 12 Sep 2013 17:02:00 GMT

Briefing on World Wise Global Schools Grant Scheme: 17 September , 2-4pm, WorldWise Global Schools, Knightsbridge House, 17-22 Parkgate Street, Dublin 8.

For further information on the Scheme please see section G below or visit www.worldwiseschools.ie .

To register to attend the briefing please contact WorldWise Global Schools

E: info@worldwiseschools.ie T: 01 6852078.

Worldwise Global Schools Grants Round

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 17:03:00 GMT

The latest WorldWise Global Schools (WWGS) grants round goes live on our website later this evening, where you will find the application guideline , FAQs and a link to the online application form.

WWGS aims to increase the engagement of post-primary schools with development education (DE) through a coherent approach that targets post-primary schools, networks and organisations that work on DE with the post-primary sector.

If your organisation works with post-primary students, teachers and principals to build their DE capacity, then you may apply to WWGS for funding under this call. Those organisations that are allocated funding under WWGS will work closely with our staff team to enable schools to adopt a whole-school approach to DE, and to ensure consistency in the quality and approach of DE that schools can access.

Criteria for applicants:

An application workshop will take place for all interested organisations at 2pm on Tuesday 17th of September in the WWGS office in Dublin. Please contact us to register for a place.

Please visit www.worldwiseschools.ie for more details including application guidelines . Contact info@worldwiseschools.ie or 01 6852078 to speak to a member of the WWGS team directly.

National Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development

Fri, 23 Aug 2013 17:12:00 GMT

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, T.D. on the 6th of August launched a public consultation on the development of a National Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

The development of a National Strategy for ESD is one of the commitments in Our Sustainable Future – A Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland which was published by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government in 2012.

Minister Quinn is inviting submissions from interested parties outlining their views and recommendations related to the area of ESD. Submissions are welcome from all interested parties, including education and training providers at all levels of the formal and non-formal education system, business and professional organisations, agencies and NGOs in the field of equality, development education and environmental protection, media, and social partners. The responses received from stakeholders will be considered as the National Strategy on ESD is finalised.

The closing date for submissions is Friday 27 September 2013 .

Further information on the consultation process, including the template for submissions and a background information paper, can be accessed here .

Citizens of the World? Building global justice perspectives in challenging times

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:00:00 GMT

The 2013 IDEA Annual Conference focused on the theme of “Global Citizenship” and considered how we can harness the energy of new social movements and individual activists as they respond to the global crisis, in our development education practice. Key questions explored during the day included:

The opening session with keynote speakers Bahia Shehab and Maureen Freely , proved an inspirational start to the day, with Bahia sharing her personal journey to becoming an active citizen in Egypt and Maureen contributing an insightful and interesting overview of the current situation in Turkey, while situating this within the historical context. Their inputs highlighted the role of individuals in stepping beyond their usual roles and comfort zone and overcoming the barrier of fear to take a stand as active citizens in protecting human rights and creating the space for a vibrant democracy. A common thread was the need to learn from the past and other examples from across the globe in order to develop new leadership and a critical citizenship. The significant role of social media in spreading messages about crises as they unfold was also to the fore, enabling people to become ‘citizen reporters’ and share their perspectives and experiences with a global audience. Creativity, the use of humour and the power of storytelling were shared as examples of ways in which activists can convey a message in a non-threatening and peaceful way, while capturing the imagination of the broader public and contributing to a viral effect.

The panel discussion built on these themes and considered ways in which the energy described above can be channeled into educational spaces and learners supported to take action on issues of concern. The need for educators to overcome their own fears of moving beyond a comfort zone and safe parameters for discussion with learners and to embrace creativity was also acknowledged. The space and support for individual versus collective action and critical debate was also raised as an issue in Irish education, with significant scope to improve the centrality of global education to the curriculum and to broaden the conception of what it means to be an active citizen, beyond that of voting in elections.

The conference also introduced IDEA’s new EU project, Challenging the Crisis, which aims to engage young EU citizens from highly indebted countries to become informed and active advocates on global justice. A second workshop encouraged participants to unleash their own imagination in considering the use of the public space around Wood Quay as a vibrant place for active citizenship.

Overall the day was highly engaging and challenged us to step beyond our comfort zones and be active!

Development Education – Responding to the Global Crisis?

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 13:21:00 GMT

The DEEEP Seminar “Development Education: Responding to the Crisis?” took place in Dublin last month, bringing together over 100 development education practitioners and policy makers from across Europe to consider the role and response of development education in this time of global financial crisis. Co-hosted by Dóchas and IDEA , the seminar focused on ways in which development education can foster community resilience as well as questioning whether we are doing enough to encourage and support citizens to take action for change.

This was a unique opportunity for sharing and learning from the experiences of development education colleagues and activists within Europe, as each are challenged in their individual countries to bridge the gap between local and global issues, as well as considering ways in which we can collaborate and advocate for a better world for all.

So what were the highlights?

The Minister of State for Trade and Development, Mr Joe Costello delivered an opening address and acknowledged that development education is part and parcel of what we should all be involved in at every level, especially during this the European Year of Citizens . He highlighted the rights and responsibilities we hold as citizens and commented on the increasingly interconnected world in which we live and the need for citizens to understand what is happening in their own communities, as well as across the world. Development education is a key tool to achieve this and is recognised within the Irish Government’s new International Development Policy ‘ One World: One Future’ .

The theme of global citizenship was further developed by Nessa Ní Chasaide, of the Debt and Development Coalition, who introduced and chaired the plenary session, quoting an Aboriginal Activist who said that “ If you have come to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine then let us work together”. Nessa spoke of the need to link learning to collective action and highlighted the centrality of the theme of resilience to development education practice.

The immediacy of the global crisis was brought home to us by Cathleen O’Neill, of Kilbarrack CDP, who commented on the devestating impact that government cuts are having on her local community in Dublin 5 [ View presentation here ]. Cathleen spoke with passion, conviction and a real sense of determination that she (and her community) would not roll over in the face of the crisis and dedicated her input to Audre Lorde, Civil Rights Activist and Poet, who spoke about “that piece of each of us which refuses to be silent”. Her speech lifted the room and received a standing ovation, setting the tone for the day ahead.

The exhibition ‘Books of Grievance and Hope’, which draws itsinspiration from the story of the Lists of Grievances gathered at the beginning of the French Revolution,created a powerful visual that complemented Cathleen’s input. The books represent the hopes and dreams of a broad spectrum of people and ages and speak to the desire for a more equal and just society, based on strong systems of accountability.

Micha Narberhaus, reflected on the global situation from a macro level and highlighted the need for civil society organisations to challenge, rather than reinforce, dominant institutional and societal paradigms [ View Presentation here ]. Micha’s input reminded me of the need to constantly re-evaluate our situation, to seek multiple perspectives and to critically reflect on the role we are playing in engaging broader civil society in a conversation on the type of values and society that we want.

Dr. Momodou Sallah, from De Montfort University, delivered an inspiring presentation reminding us that re-imagining another world is possible. He spoke of the role that development education can play in building resilience, by provoking consciousness and allowing people to expand their minds, thereby facilitating people to imagine an alternative reality to the one that they are currently faced with and take action.

In different ways the speakers each pointed to the need to enhance global understanding of structural inequalities and to provide people across the global and communal spectrum with alternative paradigms and outlets for real change. Developing new systemic solutions and strategies that will allow the seeds of a new economy to flourish are critical to realising an alternative vision for the world we want. Underlying the various speakers’ inputs was a sense that by coming together as global rather than local citizens, we can be stronger.

There was a great buzz in the room as the World Café session got underway, ably facilitated by Alan Hayes, who encouraged everyone to intermingle between ‘questions’, providing a rich cross-fertilisation of ideas. As many participants have been experiencing the impact of the crisis at a very personal level in their home countries the discussions were lively and reflected the depth of feeling in the room about the need for change, for making local – global links, and for engaging citizens in a debate about our collective future.

This enthusiasm carried through to the afternoon workshops and was rounded off by an input by Hans Zomer of Dóchas at the end of the day, encouraging participants to get involved in the global conversation on ‘ The World We Want’ , highlighting this as a critical opportunity to influence the post-2015 development framework. Tobias Troll of DEEEP also noted the opportunity that the global crisis presents, to reframe the conversation and propose alternative allocations of resources, building on the momentum that is building across Europe for change.

The uplifting song of the Discovery Gospel Choir ended the day on a high note, leaving participants feeling energised and perhaps more ‘resilient’ for the journey ahead.

“ Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient .” Steve Maraboli

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