Our story
Who Are we
Established in 2004, the Irish Development Education Association (IDEA) is the national network for Global Citizenship Education in Ireland and a leading voice for the sector. We represent over 110 members across the island of Ireland involved in practicing and advancing Global Citizenship Education in formal, non-formal and informal settings. Together we work to strengthen Global Citizenship Education in Ireland and to raise awareness of its crucial role in helping people navigate the complexity of today's world to create a fairer, more sustainable future for everyone.
GLOBAL CITZENSHIP EDUCATION
Global Citizenship Education is at the core of our work. It enables people to understand the world around them and to act to transform it. IDEA uses Global Citizenship Education as a term that includes Development Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Global Education and related titles. Our members sometimes use different terms, depending on the nature of their work, or their areas of specialism.
IDEA Staff and National Council
IDEA’s Board of Trustees is called the National Council. As the main decision making body of the organisation, it plays a key role in the strategy, governance and oversight of the organisation. Our staff team is led by our Chief Executive Officer who reports to the board. The team is responsible for coordinating and carrying out IDEA’s programme of work. You can meet our council and team here.
Our Members
IDEA is a dynamic and responsive network with a membership that includes Development NGOs, community and voluntary organisations, educational institutions and networks, trade unions, educators, researchers and activists in Ireland. They deliver Global Citizenship Education across the Formal Education, Adult & Community and Youth sectors, engaging with hundreds of thousands of people of all ages and communities across the country each year. This diverse group all share a commitment to Global Citizenship Education, sustainable development, and creating a just and equal future for all.
What we do
IDEA is one of nine strategic partners of Irish Aid’s Global Citizenship Education programme, with a particular focus on strengthening the capacity of the sector as well as supporting and advancing Global Citizenship Education in Ireland and internationally.
The key strands of our work include advocacy, good practice, impact, training and events and facilitating connections and shared learning within the sector. We act as an information hub and promote Global Citizenship Education and the work of our members with wider audiences, and represent the sector at national and international level. We have also worked on building partnerships outside the sector through Bridge 47 an EU Funded project focused on strengthening Advocacy, Partnerships and Innovation across Europe.
