Political Leadership for Sustainable Development

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.

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

September 8, 2025
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

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.

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

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.