The Role of Global Citizenship Education in the Future We Want to Create


Date: Tuesday, 17 September, 1.00 – 2.00pm, Irish time/2.00-3.00pm, CET   

Location: Online via Zoom 


Bridge 47 and the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) invite you to an online side event on the eve of the UN Summit of the Future on Tuesday, 17 September, 1.00 – 2.00pm, Irish time/2.00-3.00pm, CET. 


A panel of distinguished international speakers will discuss the role of Global Citizenship Education in the future we want to create in the framework of the Pact for the Future, which is to be signed during the UN Summit of the Future on 23 September 2024. 

 

Humanity is at a crossroads. The world is changing at an ever-increasing pace. We are facing unprecedented global challenges that require global and local solutions: increasing inequality and injustice, climate breakdown, genocides and war, rising fascism, authoritarianism, deterioration in human rights, crisis of multilateralism, crisis of legitimacy of universal human rights law and international humanitarian law. 


How can we ensure that people are equipped with the knowledge, skills and values needed to come together to solve and mitigate these challenges? How do we ensure everyone feels like they belong to the global human community? How do we ensure they are invested enough to change the behaviours and choices needed, in their respective roles and responsibilities? 


The Pact for the Future that is to be endorsed and signed at the UN Summit of the Future on 23 September 2024 commits to achieving “quality, inclusive education for all and lifelong learning”. It does not specify however what the content of this education and learning should be. In addition to universal education which addresses literacy and numeracy, we must prepare future generations with the knowledge, skills and values to deal with the world they are inheriting. Global citizenship education is essential for a sustainable future, as UNESCO and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development attest. The aspirational goals set out in SDG target 4.7 could make education truly transformative. Looking at the global policy framework, this event will explore opportunities to ensure we achieve quality, inclusive global citizenship education and lifelong learning for all. We will also discuss potential solutions to the challenges in implementing these policies globally.


These questions will be debated and answered by international speakers and an online audience on the eve of the UN Summit of the Future.  


Guest speakers are: 

 

Prof. Patrick Paul Walsh, Vice Director of Education & Director of the SDG Academy, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; Professor of International Development & Director of the M.Sc in Sustainable Development, UCD. 


Prof. Leonardo Garnier, former Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General for the Transforming Education Summit. Former Minister of Education in Costa Rica. 


Temilade Salami, Founder and Director, EcoChampions, Nigeria and Africa-wide. Youth Leader, Global Partnership for Education.


This event will be moderated by Mr. Rilli Lappalainen, CEO, Bridge 47.


Registration for this event is now closed!



Biographies

Prof. Patrick Paul Walsh is the Vice President of Education and Director of the SDG Academy at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). He is on secondment from University College Dublin where he remains a full Professor of International Development Studies, Director of the UCD M.Sc. in Sustainable Development in partnership with the SDG Academy and President of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland. He received a Ph.D. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is a Government of Ireland Fellow, Marie Curie (Brussels) Fellow, IZA (Bonn) Fellow, RSA (London) Fellow, EIIR (Brussels) Fellow and REPOA (Tanzania) fellow. He has held academic positions in Trinity College Dublin, K.U. Leuven, Harvard University and Columbia University. He has also held positions in the UN, European Commission, IMF and World Bank. His current focus is on Sustainable Development Education informed by science, practice and policy. 

Prof. Leonardo Garnier is former Special Adviser to the Secretary General of the United Nations for the Transforming Education Summit. Economist, with a Ph.D. from the New School for Social Research, in New York and from the University of Costa Rica. He was the Costa Rican Minister of Public Education from 2006 to 2014 and of National Planning and Economic Policy from 1994-1998. Professor and academic at the University of Costa Rica, he has published several articles in journals and books on economic and social issues linked to development, as well as the book "Costa Rica: un país subdesarrollado casi exitoso" written with Laura Cristina Blanco. He is the author of three children’s books and multiple opinion articles in the press, digital media and social networks. 

Temilade Salami is a 25-year-old GPE youth leader from Nigeria. She is the founder and executive director of EcoChampions. She has spent the past five years leading a group of over 200 young environmentalists across 26 African countries. She has authored two environmental books to bridge the climate education gap in Africa. She also launched the Climate Education Leaders Fellowship in Africa. She is a member of the UNESCO SDG4Youth network.

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.
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August 2, 2025
Catch-up on a Summer of Learning!
July 24, 2025
IDEA invites tender submissions from interested auditing service suppliers to provide auditing and associated professional services to the organisation from the year ending 31 December 2025. IDEA is seeking to engage an experienced auditing service firm that will provide the full range of auditing services required to fulfil its statutory obligations, to comply with relevant accounting and reporting standards and best practice. All submissions to be made to sal@ideaonline.ie You can find the full details here. The deadline for the application is Monday, 11 August, 5pm .