Development Education (DE) is an educational process which 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, 2020)
In the GCA, we encourage learners to develop the values, knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to become active global citizens and advocate for change which involves critical reflection and taking action.
The GCA uses the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to support each participant’s reflection and development in engaging with DE.
For further discussion on defining DE and the core values it describes, see this article from DevelopmentEducation.ie.
Here are some useful links to start you on your DE journey:
- DevelopmentEducation.ie – online resource focusing on the unequal and unjust nature of the world today
- IC4LOP resource – Engagement and Activism of Young People – how to support and develop Collective Actions
- Volunteering for the future online course – Helping Returned Development Workers become active citizens
- E-tick – Online course in Ethical Communication
We have produced a resource called “Bank of Actions for Global Citizens” to support you to ask critical questions and take action with a DE lens. If you feel like you would like to be proactive and engage with DE, this resource should inspire you and at the very least point you in the right direction.
If you would like to access this resource in the magazine version with issuu click here.