Roundtable on Development Education (Global Youth Work) & Youth

On Wednesday, October 8th 2014, the National Youth Council of Ireland held a Roundtable discussion on Development Education (Global Youth Work) and Youth: Young People: Connected, Respected & Empowered.

The Roundtable gathered together approx 120 people to discuss key issues with the view to mapping the way forward for Development Education (Global Youth Work) and the youth sector in Ireland. The event was aimed at management and practitioners in youth work. It was open to youth organisations, youth workers, youth leaders, volunteers, youth work students, development education and development organisations, those involved in policy making, funders, and young people. The event was addressed by key youth work personnel, policy makers, academics, and young people.

Amongst some of the key messages from the Roundtable are:

The youth work sector has a central role to play in terms of development education and the key players include young people, youth workers, youth leaders, youth work students, volunteers, youth organisations, academics, policy makers, government departments, and funders, etc.
Young people must be at the heart of every programme and project and actively supported to be engaged at all levels
Youth organisations should be encouraged to include a development education approach in all of their work
Greater links between academia/training and youth work is required including development education being a core module for youth workers in their college courses
Continuous Professional Development is necessary to ensure development education becomes part of practice for youth workers, leaders, and volunteers
Quality resources and supports leading to quality education for all players in the youth sector continues to be important and necessary
Coordination within the sector is essential and should facilitate deeper knowledge and engagement
Research, monitoring and evaluation should assist greater engagement
Funding is required to ensure an active youth work and DE sector

For any comments or questions you may have, please contact Valerie via deved@nyci.ie

Quick Synopsis of the Day: Graphic Harvesting of Presentations and Inputs

Speakers: Download Visual of Speakers Input (PDF)

Groups and Panel Discussion: Download Visual of Feedback from groups and panel (PDF)

What follows are the detailed recordings and presentations from the day.

Introduction:

Mary Cunningham, Director, National Youth Council of Ireland

Opening Address:

Sean Sherlock T.D., Minister of State at Department of Foreign Affairs with Special Responsibility for ODA, Trade Promotion and North South co-operation.

Celtic Youth Bray

Celtic Youth Bray Prezi Presentation:

Elaine Nevin, ECO-UNESCO

Group Feedback: Roundtable Participants

Panel Discussion:

Ms. Margaret Ryan – Irish Aid

Mr. Michael Doorly – Concern

Mr. Frank Geary – Irish Development Education Association

Ms. Elaine Nevin, ECO-UNESCO

Sincere THANK YOU to everyone who made this event the success it was.

Thanks to each of the presenters for giving of their time and expertise. Particular thanks to Mary Cunningham, NYCI and Dr. Hilary Tierney, Maynooth University.

Thanks to our wonderful facilitators: Tammy Tallon, Crosscare; Stephen Farley, Trocaire; Karol Quinn, Scouting Ireland; Leti Gorini, Youth Work Ireland; Dermot O’Brien, Celtic Youth Bray; Alan Hayes, Jedi Training; Feidhlim Ó Seasnáin, ECO-UNESCO; Maggie Ryan, NYCI; Fionn Scott, NYCI; Jean-Marie Cullen, NYCI; Johnny Sheehan, NYCI; Anne Walsh, NYCI.

Thanks to Think Visual for graphically harvesting the Roundtable and to Niall Sheerin for photography and videography.

Thanks to NYCI Staff for administration, web, and communications support – Lisa Hyland, Rosie Boyle, Aurica Cozneac, Elaine Lowry, Laura Geraty, Martina O’Brien, Geraldine Mahon, Daniel Dunne, and Daniel Meister.

We are very grateful to Irish Aid, Concern, Leargas, and Maynooth University for assisting us in making this event happen.