Resource Title
Research on the Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing Global Citizenship Education Strategies in Ireland
Summary
This research study, led by Valerie Lewis, provides a snapshot of the extent to which Global Citizenship Education, both in and outside of school, is present in the policies and practices of public institutions in Ireland.
This snapshot was obtained through an in-depth analysis of documents and a series of interviews with the main institutional and socio-cultural actors involved in the issue. The analysis is complemented by a series of suggestions for improvement.
Resource Details
Description
The implementation of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) strategies at a national level in Ireland represents a
critical endeavour to foster informed, active, and ethically aware citizens in an increasingly interconnected
world. This report examines the opportunities and challenges associated with this process, drawing on rich
qualitative insights obtained through interviews with key informants in the Irish GCE sector.
Research on the Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing Global Citizenship Education Strategies in Ireland provides:
- an analysis of the context of GCE policy development in Ireland.
- relevant key concepts and terminology and a timeline of GCE, ESD and DE milestones
ranging from the 1960s to present day. - sets the scene of the Irish education system, including its place and role within a broader whole of government context.
- key national policy documents which include Ireland’s Second National Strategy on ESD: ESD to 2030 and the Global Citizenship Education Strategy provide an overarching picture of GCE and ESD development and planning in recent years.
- Additional information aligned specifically with formal education and training activities provides further information on how these GCE engagements are aligned.
The policy analysis is populated by information gathered from a range of active GCE stakeholders who are
actively engaged in a range of GCE activities in Ireland.
The discourse analysis explores the interplay between global and national priorities in education, uncovering factors that enable or hinder the realisation of GCE objectives.
By analysing the experiences and expertise of sectoral stakeholders, the report identifies key themes such as alignment with national education policies, resource allocation, stakeholder collaboration, and the impact of socio-political contexts.
Overall, this examination aims to:
- contribute to a deeper understanding of how Ireland can effectively navigate the complexities of embedding GCE within its educational systems while addressing challenges that emerge in practice.
- provide a contemporary understanding of the opportunities and challenges of implementing GCE strategies in Ireland.
- demonstrate the journey and impact from the written policy statements and aspirations to the lived experiences of the various stakeholders who must enact them.
Available from:
- Download Research on the Opportunities and Challenges of Implementing Global Citizenship Education Policies in Ireland PDF
- Download a summary infographic of the 8-countries study on GCE (PDF)
- Explore The Global Education Time (GET) Project in Ireland led by A Partnership with Africa
- Access the findings of similar studies conducted on the opportunities and challenges of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in policies, curricula, and textbooks, for educational authorities and key stakeholders responsible for GCE implementation in Andalusia, the Czech Republic, in Central-Northern Spain, Portugal, Greece and Italy at https://www.globaleducationtime.eu/studies/