President at IDEA Conference
IDEA Members Honour President Higgins at Annual Conference
Approximately 200 educators, artists and activists honoured President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins with the inaugural Global Voice for Humanity Award at the IDEA annual conference, which took place this week in Malahide, Dublin. IDEA members presented President Higgins' with the award in recognition of his commitment to justice, equality, and global citizenship education throughout his life.
You can watch the full video of his address below!
Speaking at the event award recipient President Michael D Higgins said;
“May I thank the Irish Development Education Association for this great honour, the Global Voice for Humanity Award, for which I am most grateful. I have always viewed education as a catalyst for social change, and that is why the work of the Irish Development Education Association is so important. The need to cultivate independent thought, and to create mechanisms to ensure that everyone across our shared, vulnerable planet in peril has access to quality learning opportunities is a fundamental necessity for a fruitful, vibrant and participative life. May I take this opportunity to thank all those operating, in whatever your field, for your passion and your unwavering commitment to social justice globally, to development education, global citizenship education and the advancement of a strong and ethical global consciousness. I will continue to champion your causes.”
Speaking at the event CEO of the Irish Development Education Association Ruairi McKiernan said
“President Higgins has long been a rare kind of leader - someone who combines intellectual courage with deep humanity. He has spent a lifetime speaking out against injustice, standing with the marginalised and challenging us to think critically and act with compassion. Through his words, his leadership, and his example, he has inspired people in Ireland and beyond to believe in the power of education and the responsibility of citizenship."
"The role of Global Citizenship Education educators in Ireland cannot be underestimated. The climate emergency, global instability, and the far-right extremism, misinformation and racism has increased the need for Global Citizenship Education now more than ever in our society. Educators are at the frontline of countering division by creating opportunities to learn about the world, the interconnectedness of the challenges we face, and how we can take positive action in ways that build bridges and foster hope. President Higgins has inspired many of the educators leading Global Citizenship Education in Ireland today and we are privileged to honour him with our inaugral Global Voice for Humanity Award." said Ruairi.
