HLPF Day One: Education is the golden thread running through implementation of all 17 SDGs

“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  

August 25, 2025
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.
August 11, 2025
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.
Smme
August 2, 2025
Catch-up on a Summer of Learning!