The A-Z of Global Citizenship Education

Dates: Wednesday 29 March,10.00am - 4.00pm, and Tuesday 30 May,10.00am - 1.00pm

Location: Session 1: Ormond Meeting rooms, Dublin and Session 2: Online via Zoom

This two-part training workshop on the A-Z of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) is provided by IDEA and Concern Worldwide’s Active Citizenship team to support participants to deepen their understanding and develop their skills in Development Education/Global Citizenship Education delivery. 


Development Education/Global Citizenship Education (DE/GCE) enables people to understand the world around them and to act to transform it. It works to tackle the root causes of injustice and inequality, globally and locally to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone. IDEA members use a variety of terms including Development Education, Global Citizenship Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Global Youth Work and related terms.


The training is targeted at newcomers to Development Education/Global Citizenship Education, but is open to all. It will be useful for those who work on DE/GCE directly, as well as others who might be curious about it and wish to find out more. It will also be useful to anyone who wishes to brush up on their DE/GCE skills. 

 

 The training will: 

  • Support educators to bring a global justice perspective to your educational work
  • Explore interactive and participatory approaches to DE/GCE
  • Provide information on relevant resources and supports for your DE/GCE work
  • Introduce you to the Code of Good Practice for Development Education
  • Increase understanding of the context of DE/GCE in Ireland, including relevant stakeholders.


It is being hosted by IDEA, in collaboration with Concern Worldwide, and will be facilitated by Elaine Mahon, IDEA, and Lauren Wright, Concern. It will take place over two sessions. The first day will take place in-person in Dublin on Wednesday, 29 March from 10.00am - 4.00pm. The second session will take place online on the morning of Tuesday, 30 May from 10.00am - 1.00pm. 


Fees for members of IDEA is €50.00 and non-members of IDEA is €100.00. Fee for unwaged (refugees, asylum seekers, students, others) is €3.00 - this can be paid in person.






Biographies

Lauren has been a member of the Concern Active Citizenship team for six years and works with schools and young people across Ireland to deliver and support delivery of Development Education.

 

She is a qualified post-primary teacher with 12 years of experience working with young people. Lauren previously taught Religion, Philosophy and Ethics in the UK, as well as working in the CAFOD Development Education team to develop education resources for youth groups. 


Lauren holds a Master’s degree in International Peace Studies from Trinity College Dublin, and is currently undertaking the Global Citizenship Education certificate in Maynooth University. 

Biographies

Elaine has worked for IDEA since 2013, where she manages the Capacity Development Programme supporting members of IDEA to increase their knowledge and understanding of DE/GCE practice, strengthening quality in their educational work and measuring impact. Elaine facilitated the development and roll-out of the Code of Good Practice for Development Education, which was led by IDEA members and is the first of its kind in Ireland. 


Elaine has wide-ranging experience in the Community and Voluntary sector  as a freelance facilitator and trainer specialising in areas relating to global justice, equality and interculturalism. Prior to working in IDEA, Elaine spent three years at the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI). There Elaine engaged in the development of non-formal education resources including One World Week resources and providing advice, support and training to youth workers on DE/GCE. 


She is currently undertaking a Certificate in Global Citizenship Education from Maynooth University.

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.
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
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.