Éilis Ryan is a development education practitioner and activist. She has worked in the international development sector for over ten years, focussing for the last four years on educational work with Financial Justice Ireland and Trócaire. She has a particular interest in the area of global finance and development education. Éilis 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. She pursued these policies in her time as a Dublin City Councillor. She is currently training to become a primary school teacher.
Housing inequality, finance and the global south: making local-global links real in Development Education in Ireland
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
Michelle Norris is Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Geary Institute for Public Policy at University College Dublin. Her teaching and research interests focus on housing policy and urban regeneration, particularly on the management and financing of social housing, and the regeneration of social housing estates and inner urban areas. She has led over 30 research projects on these issues and produced 200 publications on the results. Michelle also has strong links with policy makers in Ireland and internationally. In 2011 and again in 2016 she was appointed by an Taoiseach as an independent member of the National Economic and Social Council. In 2012 and again in 2017 she was appointed by the Minister for Housing as chair of the Housing Finance Agency (hfa.ie). The Agency raises finance on international markets which it lends on to local authorities and housing associations for the provision of housing to low income households. In 2018 she was appointed by the Minister for Housing to the interim board of the Land Development Agency. In 2020 she was appointed as an expert advisor to the United Nations Habitat's Housing 2030 project which aims to help policy makers improve affordable housing outcomes.
Raquel Rolnik is a professor, architect and urban planner, with over 35 years of scholarship, activism and practical experience in planning, urban land policy and housing issues. Based in São Paulo, she is a professor at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo. In her career, she has held various government positions including Director of the Planning Department of the city of São Paulo (1989-1992) and National Secretary for Urban Programs of the Brazilian Ministry of Cities (2003-2007) as well as NGO activities, such as Urban Policy Coordinator of the Polis Institute (1997-2002). In May 2008, Raquel Rolnik was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing for a six years mandate, ending June 2014. She is author of several books, including “Urban warfare : housing and cities in the age of finance” by VERSO UK and “A cidade e a lei” among others.
Rodrigo Fernandez is a senior researcher at the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) next to being a research fellow at the GEOFIN project. Previously, he was a postdoc (2011–2013) at the University of Amsterdam and at KU Leuven/University of Leuven (2013-2019). Rodrigo has published on offshore financial centers, shadow banking, real estate and financialization. In his current research at SOMO he focuses on the financialization of non-financial corporations.
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 “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.
Catch-up on a Summer of Learning!
