IDEA Appoints New CEO

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 Network Meeting November 2025

September 17, 2025
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. Register below!

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

September 12, 2025
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 will be provided. Please save the date and register below for the event. Please note that there is limited space at this event and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Once capacity has been reached, a waiting list will be opened.

We’re Hiring - Capacity Development Programme Manager

September 12, 2025
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. Interviews: Week commencing 20 October 2025 For the full role description and application process, please download the Job Specification here