GOAL

BACKGROUND

GOAL has worked on many of the world’s major humanitarian crises for over 40 years. As well as emergency response, GOAL is also committed to working with vulnerable communities to survive crises and supporting them on the road to recovery.

GOAL believes that we are a Global Family, with the Sustainable Development Goals representing an international commitment to transforming our world. Through our Global Citizenship programme, we aim to empower a generation of Global Citizens to critically reflect on and better understand how our world is interconnected. We want to support children, young people and adults to develop the relevant skills to act in pursuit of a more equal, fairer and more sustainable world for all.

CURRENT PROJECTS

With the GOAL Changemakers programme, we invite 1st - 6th class pupils to learn about the 17 UN Global Goals. Our creative, curriculum-linked lesson plans and audio-visuals help primary school teachers explore Global Citizenship with their students and inspire action for a sustainable and fair world. The Changemakers Programme resources have been developed in line with the Department of Education and Skills’ COVID-19 response plan for safe reopening of primary and special schools. All materials are implementable with the COVID-19 classroom restrictions. Every class participating in the programme will receive a beautiful world map for display in their classroom and a certificate of recognition for becoming GOAL Changemakers.

GOAL facilitates workshops to thousands of primary school pupils every year in schools across the country. These workshops are active and exploratory and use drama and creative methodologies to engage children with both local and global issues. GOAL also facilitates Development Education workshops in secondary schools nationwide on the theme of conflict, with a particular focus in the war in Syria and the refugee crisis. A Development Education resource entitled 'Exploring Conflict' accompanies the workshop, which focuses on SDG number 16, Peace and Justice. Due to the COVID-19 Classroom restrictions, delivery of all school workshops are currently on hold and GOAL staff hope to return to the classroom in 2021. School resources for all levels are readily available on our website for teachers.

GOAL facilitates student teacher training in collaboration with the drama department at Marino Institute of Education.

GOAL facilitates information sessions for teachers and student teachers interested in continuous professional development in incorporating creative, participatory methodologies to introduce students to Development Education and Global Citizenship.

GOAL recognises the critical role teachers play in shaping GOAL’s Development Education programme by providing advice, feedback and guidance to GOAL’s Global Citizenship team on strategy, activities and resources. As part of our programming for support of primary school teachers, this year the GOAL Global Citizenship team are beginning a Teacher Advisory Group consisting of teachers from around Ireland, helping us to understand more fully the needs of teachers during the pandemic, during the return to school life and beyond. Development Education practice is continuously evolving and the quality teacher advisory group will play an integral part in ensuring GOAL’s workshops are suitable for the current classroom environment.

GOAL’s 2020 Youth programme involves co-creating a Development Education resource teaching about Global Citizenship for young people all over the world between the ages of 14 and 18. This programme helps young participants to build the skills necessary to develop communication and facilitation techniques that will allow them to effectively lead the activities in the resource.

GOAL’s very first Youth Programme based in Ireland came together for virtual learning and collaboration at the height of the COVID-19. This 5-month programme offered young people a way to continue their learning, connect with like-minded peers, and be part of a project that highlights the global interconnectedness that we continue to experience and witness through the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This community includes 18-25 year olds from all over Ireland, as well as a group of mentors from 6 different countries in south-eastern Africa. The 2020 Global Youth Programme concluded on October 8th 2020, but preparations for GOAL’s 2021 programme are currently underway.