Development Education in Ireland

Ireland is recognised at EU and International level as a European leader in Development Education, due to the support structures and the quality of programmes and organisations we have delivering it here.

Development Education is practised by a range of actors, including Development NGOs, community and voluntary organisations, educational institutions and networks, trade unions, educators, researchers and activists. It takes place in formal, non-formal and informal settings, engaging hundreds of thousands of people across all ages and communities throughout the island of Ireland each year.

Diversity is one of the community’s core strengths, and practitioners use a wide variety of tools drawn from education and development practices. Participants increase their awareness and understanding of the interdependent and unequal world we live in, through participatory and creative learning, action and reflection.

Key strategic partners for Development Education in Ireland include:

Capacity Development
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Youth
Youth
Post-Primary Education
Post-Primary Education
Initial Teacher Education for Primary Level
Initial Teacher Education for Primary Level
Development Education Resources
DE Resources
Adult & Community Education
Adult & Community Education
Third Level Students
Third level students
Primary Education
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IDEA is the principal non-state coordinating body at national level, and additional coordination is provided by the Development Education Working Group of Dóchas, the Irish Association of Non-Governmental Development Organisations.

Key donors & policy makers for the sector include

Irish Aid -Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

The Department of Education and Skills (DES)

The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)

Development Education in Ireland Report 2017 The Kenny Report 2002