National Youth Council of Ireland

BACKGROUND

NYCI is the representative body for voluntary youth organisations in Ireland. We use our collective expertise to act on issues that impact on young people. We see Development Education in Youth Work as a way to engage young people in critical conversations, in asking questions, in being self-reflective and asking, ‘who am I?’ in relation to global social change. The National Youth Development Education Programme “Youth 2030” is a partnership between the National Youth Council of Ireland and Irish Aid. NYCI is working in consortia with Concern Worldwide, Maynooth University, and Trócaire to deliver Development Education in the Youth Sector. 

CURRENT PROJECTS

"Youth 2030" runs from December 2018 until December 2021 for the capacity development of the youth sector in the area of Development Education with the following goals:

• Young people develop critical understanding and take informed action that contributes to tackling poverty locally and globally, promotes global development and justice, and mobilise support for Ireland’s domestic and international efforts to reach the SDGs.
• Development Education methodologies and global issues are integrated into formal and non-formal curricula, programmes and activities in the Youth sector.
• There is an enabling policy environment, which stimulates, responds to, and addresses the needs of young people.

One World Week is a week of youth-led awareness raising, education and action that takes place throughout Ireland during the third week in November every year and is part of a European wide initiative.

• During One World Week young people learn about local and global justice issues, and are empowered to take action to bring about positive change. Young people and those who work with young people from all over the country undertake activities from the education pack.
• Some organise public events, quizzes and debates, invite guest speakers or have intercultural evenings. Many groups publicly display the work they have done in preparation for One World Week, or lead other people in doing a public action.

Some organise public events, quizzes and debates, invite guest speakers or have intercultural evenings. Many groups publicly display the work they have done in preparation for One World Week, or lead other people in doing a public action.

The new NUI Certificate in Global Youth Work and Development Education is a Level 8, Special Purpose award delivered by the National Youth Council of Ireland in partnership with the National University of Ireland, Maynooth.