Youth are the Agents of Change

“Youth are the agents of change” was the main message of Ban Ki-Moon at the United Nations Youth delegate programme (UNYDP) launch at Iveagh House/Department of Foreign Affairs on the 26th Of May 2015. While the main focus of the event was the new UNYDP for Ireland, the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were also discussed focusing on the substantial role that young people will play in the future success of these goals over the next 15 years. Along with the UNYDP launch Ireland will also play an important role in chairing negotiations of the SDGs along with Kenya at the UN in New York, adding to the poignancy of the event.

Minister for development and Trade, Sean Sherlock was in attendance and touched on both the global challenges faced by young people and the importance of the UNYDP, like Ban Ki-moon he also expressed the importance of youth and their connection with the wider world. Ban Ki-moon, being so passionate about youth issues, has made it one of his top 5 priorities, even enlisting a special envoy on youth. He is aware of how youth have been disproportionally effected by the economic downturn in terms of both youth unemployment and violence. He is aware of Ireland’s great contribution to in helping the world become a more equal and sustainable place focusing on the recently passed Marriage equality referendum and the presidential age referendum. Expressing delight and disappointment at the results. While the SDGs were the main topic of the event youth issues were highlighted throughout. “Promise not peril” was stressed as it is promised that youth unemployment will be tackled with decent jobs and opportunities being of the utmost importance. A similar message to that of the Young Global Advocates at Challenging the Crisis.

Evanna Lynch and Donnacha O’Callaghan were also representing UNICEF Ireland as Ambassadors sharing their experiences, speaking of the vast inequalities and the great injustices that they have witnessed during their travels. Highlighting how similar children are and that young people around the world have the same dreams no matter where they are from.

Rebecca Amet is a Young Global advocate with Challenging the Crisis. Rebecca attended the event on behalf of Challenging the Crisis Ireland.

IDEA’s Lab 2025

May 2, 2025
Dates: Thursday 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm and Friday 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Location: An Tairseach, Wicklow IDEA is thrilled to open applications for our second iteration of the IDEA's Lab. In this first of its kind residential Lab, we will create space where members can bring their ideas for projects and try out new planning and design methods. Participants will have the opportunity to work on an idea from scratch to (almost) finish with the support of expert trainers and learn through group exchange in a welcoming and inspiring setting. Participants will come out of the training with: An early project design proofed, tested and built through group feedback, iteration, trialling and support. New approaches in designing innovative projects they can apply to their workplace Headspace and time to work on the design of an innovative project A chance to actively learn through group exchange and strengthen the sense of an innovative community of practice in Ireland How? Please email anya@ideaonline.ie to request an application form. Requesting an application form does not commit you to applying. The deadline for returning application form (including organisational sign off letter) is Friday 23 May, midnight . You will find further details in the application form. Participants must register as a team of 2min.- 4 max. Participants without a team member will be asked to pair up with other individual participants or find a partner outside their organisation. Cost : This training is funded by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and offered at a reduced rate. This training is only available to IDEA members. Non-IDEA members can participant as part of an IDEA member team. Fees for members of IDEA is €50  Irish Aid is the Government’s overseas development programme which supports partners working in some of the world’s poorest countries. Irish Aid also supports global citizenship education in Ireland to encourage learning and public engagement with global issues the ideas, opinions and comments expressed in this training are entirely the responsibility of its author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect DFA policy. Timeline: Applications open: 07 May Applications close: 23 May, midnight Preparatory session with trainer (30min, online): Mid June Lab arrival: Where possible we advise arrival on Wednesday 09 July in the evening. Accommodation and food will be provided from 09 July, 5.00pm - 11 July, 3.00pm Lab: 10 July,10.00am-6.00pm. 11 July, 10.00am-3.00pm Please don’t hesitate to get in touch at anya@ideaonline.ie if any of the above pose a barrier to your participation, or if you have any other questions.

Code Network Meeting 2025

April 29, 2025
Wednesday 18 June, 10.00am - 4.00pm Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street Lower, Dublin 1

Catch up on our Palestine Webinar

April 7, 2025
Last week, IDEA hosted the second webinar from our 2025 series, ‘Exploring Contemporary Crises and Issues through Global Citizenship Education, ' focusing on Palestine. If you missed out, you can watch the full video below!