Showcase: Global Citizenship Education Research

Date: 26 October, 10.00am - 1.00pm

Location: Ormond Meeting Rooms, 31 - 36 Ormond Quay Upper, Dublin 7, D07 N5YH



We are inviting members and anyone working on Global Citizenship Education (GCE) research to join us for a Showcase of Global Citizenship Education Research on Thursday 26 October at the Ormond Meeting Rooms, Room 12, from 10.00am -1.00pm.


Whether you are interested in getting up to date with the ongoing research in the field in Ireland, would like to ensure you practice is informed by research, are interested in engaging more in research, already actively engaged in research, or, are simply curious about the field, there will be something for everyone. 


This will be an opportunity to hear first-hand about ongoing Global Citizenship Education research from people who are at the heart of it. It will also be an opportunity to contribute your thoughts on the current state of play of research in the sector, identify shared research priorities for the sector, and what your own research needs as an individual or organisation are. 


Registration opens at 09.30am and lunch will be offered at the end of the event at 1.00pm. 


The event will begin with a Moderated Roundtable discussion followed by a Q&A. The second part will be a facilitated discussion amongst participants on their views on research in the sector and their needs. 


This event has finished.


The programme is available here.

The Harvest Document from this event is available here.


Image Credit: Nick Youngson

Attribution: Pix4free.org

Biographies

Aoife Image panel moderator

Moderator: Dr. Aoife Titley is the lecturer in Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education in Maynooth University. Before becoming a teacher educator, she worked as an education researcher and a post-primary teacher. Her research interests include GCE policy and practice, international service learning, anti-racism education and diversity in the primary teaching profession



Dr Brighid Golden Image

Speaker: Dr Brighid Golden is an Assistant Professor in Global Citizenship Education at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, and a member of the national Development and Intercultural Education (DICE) project network. Brighid is a trained primary school teacher with experience working in Ireland, England and India. Brighid has a Master’s in International Approaches to Education with International Development from the University of Birmingham, and a PhD in Education from the University of Glasgow which focused on global education within initial teacher education. She also has experience designing and developing teaching resources for primary and post-primary settings in relation to human rights.



Barry Cannon Image

Speaker: Barry Cannon PhD, Dublin City University, 2005) lectures on politics in the Sociology Department of Maynooth University (Ireland). His research focuses on Latin American politics, democracy, citizenship and the far right. He has led two Irish Research Council New Foundations funded research projects on civil society responses to the Far Right in Ireland (2021 – 22) and on Global Citizenship (2022 – 23), the first in collaboration with the Crosscare Migrant Project, the second with Comhlamh, Suas and the Centre for Global Education. He has published widely in key academic journals and has authored two single author and two edited volumes on Latin American politics. He has appeared in a wide variety of media outlets, including the Irish Times, RTE radio and television, BBC Radio Four and the BBC World Service.

 Audrey Bryan Image


Speaker: Audrey Bryan is an Associate Professor of Sociology in the School of Human Development at Dublin City University Institute of Education. She is the General Editor of the journal ‘Irish Educational Studies’. She has published widely in the field of Global Citizenship Education and has a particular interest in teaching about ecological justice.

Speaker: Giulia Filippi is a PhD student in the Faculty of Education at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (Italy) and she is currently a visiting student in the Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education at Maynooth University. Permanent primary school teacher in Italy and Italian teacher as L2 for non-native people, her education includes a MA in Primary Education from the University of Turin and a specialisation in teaching Italian as L2, from the same University. Her research interests include Global Citizenship Education, teacher education, comparative education, and teachers’ professional development.

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.
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.
Smme
August 2, 2025
Catch-up on a Summer of Learning!