Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2021
94. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a detailed response will be provided on the way his Department approaches development education in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13673/21]
View answerDevelopment education is an integral part of the Irish Aid programme, Ireland’s Official Development Aid programme managed in large part by the Department of Foreign Affairs, but which engages many Departments across Government, the education system and civil society. Development education contributes to an active Irish public, engaged and well-informed on issues which impact on global dynamics with an emphasis on understanding inequalities and interdependencies, including raising awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
My Department’s current approach is governed by the Irish Aid Development Education Strategy 2017 – 2023. This year, the Irish Aid budget for development education is €5.29 million, which is available to both formal and non-formal education sectors, including schools and schools networks, third level institutions, non-governmental organisations, youth, adult and community groups. Organisations funded are typically members of the Irish Development Education Association, which has produced a Code of Good Practice for Development Education available on its website, www.ideaonline.ie.
Recognising the changes in the general education environment over the past year due to the pandemic, in particular the move to digital education, I decided that it would be appropriate to revisit the current Irish Aid Development Education Strategy. On 15 February, I launched a consultation process for a new strategy, which would address development education and global citizenship. That consultation is ongoing, with a view to identify new opportunities for engagement, looking to see how lifelong learning concepts might be most effectively integrated into our approaches and, importantly, how we engage with new audiences around the country.
The new strategy will build on strong foundations. In 2019-2020, Irish Aid supported 31 partners to deliver development education projects, reaching more than 350,000 people. This includes 70% of second-level schools. 23 of the 26 Higher Education Institutes are providing Irish Aid supported global citizenship courses and other initiatives. In addition, the Department provided grant funding to NGOs and other groups for activities to promote understanding of an engagement with global issues.
The Development Assistance Committee of the OECD reviewed the Irish Aid programme last year, finding Ireland to have a strong approach to development education, focusing on achieving greater knowledge and changed attitudes. The review states that Ireland’s “approach encompasses both formal and non-formal education and relies on strong partnerships among the government, non-governmental organisations, education actors and local communities. Outreach to schools is already very substantial, and Ireland is aiming to reach wider audiences to sustain and deepen the considerable support within the Irish population.”
