Building Bridges: Cross-sector Partnerships for the SDGs

Start Date: 25/09/2019 End Date: 25/09/2019

Event Location: AllState Northern Ireland, 10 Mays Meadow, Belfast, BT1 3PH, United Kingdom

Building Bridges is a unique All-Ireland networking forum, bringing civil society organisations working on Development Education together with responsible businesses to find ways to collaborate to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs are a global commitment to combat the world’s biggest challenges such as poverty, inequality and the climate crisis to create a more just, inclusive and sustainable world by 2030. Given their scale and ambition, realising these Goals requires all players (governments, civil society, academia, and the business sector) to champion this agenda and work together in partnership.

We need to step out of our comfort zones and create new models of meaningful partnership across sectors. In order to provide a networking opportunity that fosters dialogues and explore collaboration to address the SDGs between the Development Education sector and the business sector, IDEA is hosting the forum in partnership with Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITCNI) via Bridge 47 – an EU project that seeks to build global citizenship in pursuit of the SDGs.

Participants will:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the SDGs
  • Learn how civil society organisations and businesses are responding to the SDGs
  • Be inspired by other cross-sector partnership examples and stories
  • Network with like-minded people and explore ways to work together to address the SDGs
  • Gain practical tips and recommendations on how to build cross-sector partnerships

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN: https://bit.ly/2KfYp6e.

This event is primarily for members of IDEA and BITC. However, if you are not a member of either and would like to attend, please contact ji.hyun.kim@bridge47.org.

 


 

Global Citizenship Education in Ireland to 2030 - Launch of IDEA´s new vision document

By Maximiliana Eligi Mtenga • September 12, 2025
Over the past few months, IDEA and its members co-created a new strategic vision and roadmap for GCE in Ireland for the next five years. This is the successor to Vision 2025 and is called Vision 2030. We are delighted to announce that we will launch the publication of Vision 2030 on Tuesday 21 October 2025 in the Georgian Suite of Buswells Hotel, 23-27 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2, 12 noon – 12.45pm. Refreshments will be provided. Please save the date and register below for the event. Please note that there is limited space at this event and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Once capacity has been reached, a waiting list will be opened.

We’re Hiring - Capacity Development Programme Manager

September 12, 2025
We’re Hiring - Capacity Development Programme Manager The Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is looking for a Capacity Development Programme Manager to join our team. This is a unique leadership opportunity to help shape the future of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in Ireland and beyond. At IDEA, we work with over 100 members, from large NGOs like Trócaire and Concern to smaller organisations and individual educators, all committed to building a more just, equal, and sustainable world. The Capacity Development Programme Manager role is central to this mission. Key role responsibilities: Lead IDEA’s capacity development programme , ensuring our members and the wider sector have access to high-quality training, workshops, and networking opportunities. Design and deliver flagship events , including our annual conference, webinars, and seminars that strengthen skills, knowledge, and collaboration. Drive innovation and impact , ensuring our programmes respond to members’ needs, emerging challenges, and international best practice. Champion impact measurement and research , supporting our members to demonstrate the transformative power of Development and Global Citizenship Education. Collaborate across IDEA teams on policy, advocacy, and communications, ensuring capacity-building directly contributes to systemic change. Represent IDEA nationally and internationally , ensuring Ireland continues to be seen as a leader in the global conversation on education, equality, and sustainability. The role offers: A permanent contract (subject to funding) Hybrid working based in Dublin city centre Competitive salary, employer pension contribution and 25 days annual leave The opportunity to work at the heart of a dynamic national network with strong international links If you are an experienced leader with a passion for education, social justice, and building the capacity of civil society, this could be the role for you. Deadline for applications is Monday, 13 October, 5.00pm. Interviews: Week commencing 20 October 2025 For the full role description and application process, please download the Job Specification here

IDEA CEO Addresses Major International GCE Conference in Seoul

September 11, 2025
IDEA CEO, Ruairí McKiernan, was among the speakers at the recent 10th International Conference on Global Citizenship Education (IConGCED) in Seoul, co-organised by APCEIU (the Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding under the auspices of UNESCO), the Korean Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and UNESCO. The conference brought together more than 350 participants from 51 countries under the theme “Democracy in the Post-Truth Crisis: The Role of GCED.” Ruairí was the only Irish speaker, sharing perspectives shaped by Ireland’s history of conflict, peacebuilding, and global solidarity.