#learnNOW – The Campaign

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.

  • What should our education system be focused on now?
  • What should our schools be teaching?
  • What new subjects should be available?
  • What should future teachers be learning to be able to meet the needs of children born today?
  • What can universities do now to equip their students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to survive and thrive?
  • How should we educate future political, business, spiritual leaders?

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

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

By Maximiliana Eligi Mtenga • 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

IDEA CEO Addresses Major International GCE Conference in Seoul

September 11, 2025
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.