Together We Stand; Together We Learn

Dear friends,

Last weekend, Joe Costello TD, Minister of State for Trade and International Development, revealed in an interview with the Sunday Business Post that Ireland will not meet its 0.7% of GNP target for overseas aid by the 2015 deadline. Abandoning our aid commitments risks undoing the progress that has been made to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone. IDEA has issued a press release which you can find here.  Please circulate this, and please feel free to adapt it. Please also share any feedback and comments with us.

This decision comes at a crucial moment as governments across the world are in the midst of deciding global ambitions and goals for development and sustainability for the next 15 years. The United Nations post-2015 goal-setting process will reach its pinnacle during the coming year. Development education values have been at the heart of the discussion so far. Local global interdependence is central to the current emphasis on taking a universal approach to these goals involving all countries, and by extension all people, throughout the globe. There has also been a strong emphasis on people’s participation in the decisions that affect their lives, highlighting the importance of active citizenship and development education. Therefore, the development education community has a central role to play in this process, both in elaborating these themes and in educating people, politicians, and our own communities about them.

Last week I represented DEEEP and the DARE Forum at a meeting in Istanbul called by the United Nations, CIVICUS , Overseas Development Institute and the UN Foundation to discuss a worldwide civil society mobilization for 2015. The meeting was attended by a range of international NGO’s, civil society networks, campaigners, activists and educators. 

It was agreed that 2015, and the confluence of the inter-governmental negotiations on climate change and the post-2015 sustainable development agenda, offers a once in a generation opportunity for transformational change.

It was also agreed that no ‘one size fits all‘ approach could possibly harness the diversity of perspectives, issues and approaches that will be needed to create a global mobilization. So, the meeting decided to aim for light-touch coordination and umbrella communications resources that could be used and adapted in local and national contexts. I worked on a shared narrative which aims to capture key global justice issues. You can read the conference communiqué here. I would be very interested to hear your feedback. CIVICUS  will take the process forward in the coming weeks and we will keep you informed of any developments and opportunities. I believe there is an essential role for the development education community in this approach to a post-2015 campaign that is taking a justice centred approach to interdependent issues. 

It is essential that it is an educative process that engages, educates and mobilizes people in all countries to create a transformative shift in our approaches to development, sustainability, and our global society.

Last year at the IDEA conference we explored the idea of global citizenship and its place in education and activism. The Wheel , the network of Irish community and voluntary organizations, are initiating a process to explore what we understand by citizenship in Ireland today and for the future. Last Saturday I was invited to join a discussion on the question of ‘what do citizens expect and what is expected of citizens?’ This was a challenging, stimulating and very educational few hours. The Wheel will be initiating a series of public conversations between now and 2016 and I would urge IDEA members to join in for both a thought provoking discussion, and a great way to interrogate and reflect on our notions of active citizenship and global citizenship. We will share further news in future e-circulars. 

Looking forward to working together on these challenges and opportunities.

All the best,
Frank

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!