Galway One World Centre

BACKGROUND

GOWC was formed in 1992 with a mission to create educational opportunities that develop a critical analysis of the unequal power relationships that exist between diverse groups, both locally and globally. GOWC’s aim is to empower people through education, direct action, networking, outreach and provision of resources to create a world where all people have equality of rights, opportunities and respect. GOWC believes Development Education is about questioning our knowledge and perceptions about how the world works and about what role we play in it.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Using creative and active methodologies, GOWC offers a range of workshops for primary school children linking with key curriculum areas. Themes include global citizenship, diversity, food justice, human rights, and sustainability.

At post primary level GOWC has been piloting a programme called Beyond Borders in workshops and teacher training colleges. The programme, which includes a resources toolkit, explores issues relating to refugees and migration. It encourages students to consider the underlying context of why people leave their homes, and examine how migration is handled in Ireland in elsewhere.

GOWC also offers the Global Teacher training award to both practicing and student teachers. Six one-hour modules involve capacity building for educators to build their own awareness of development issues.

GOWC provides training for students and for staff involved in global partnerships, focusing on developing and sustaining links with partner schools. GOWC also collaborates with a number of universities on Initial Teacher Education. Part of GOWC’s development education work is supported by World Wise global schools and funded by Irish Aid.

GOWC has been delighted to work in collaboration with the Baboró International Arts Festival to provide a development education perspective within their programme, which has included storytellers from Guyana, Yemen, Jamaica, Australia, the UK and Ireland.