Global Action Plan Ireland (GAP) has a long history of empowering communities to live more sustainable lifestyles through its programmes. Discovering ways to implement the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in our daily lives is the best way to achieve a more sustainable, equitable and peaceful world for all – so that no one gets left behind. We all share the responsibility, as global citizens, to achieve the SDGs!
The UN Global Goals on Sustainable Development
The SDGs provide everyone with a practical framework on how to tackle inequality at the global and local levels. The goals are a follow-up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs addressed extreme poverty through social and economic dimensions. Problematically, there were shortfalls and challenges to the MDGs. The primary shortfall was the lack of environmental aspects. Therefore, the SDGs expand the MDGs beyond social and economic concepts with interlinked environmental objectives.
Creating a sustainable, equal and peaceful world is up to all of us. It is our aim to challenge students to reflect on their decisions and to feel confident in leading change and being active in their school, government and society. GAP approaches the SDGs by bridging the gap between Development Education & Education for Sustainable Development.
Development Education
Development Education is about not shying away from global issues, but rather critically reflecting on how we got here and how we can be proactive in creating an equal world. According to www.ideaonline.ie ”
“Development Education 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. The world we live in is unequal, rapidly changing and often unjust. Global forces affect our everyday lives. [It] is about understanding those forces and how to change them to create a more just and sustainable future for everyone.”
Together we can make a change, our choices and voices matter.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
The SDGs promote a global society that is equal and just; not just for people, but for the health of the planet as well. Climate change has already begun displacing entire nations. As a result, states are adjusting to increase partnerships and understanding of our differences. Every human action has an impact on the world in some way; development education highlights these linkages in order to promote students to act for the betterment of both their local and global communities.
ESD is about creating an active learning environment and encouraging sustainable actions, through the joint exploration of global issues and the interdependence of the economy, society and the natural environment. It provides critical reflection, awareness and empowerment to explore new concepts and develop new methods.
Involve your school now!
What Global Action Plan Ireland offers you
Action on Global Citizenship
In 2016 GAP developed a Teacher Toolkit on ‘Action on Global Citizenship’. This toolkit supports Post-Primary teachers to deliver Development Education and Education for Sustainable Development in the classroom with a focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Beyond the resource, GAP also offers FREE Teacher Training and Schools Projects to help facilitate the introduction of Global Citizenship and the SDGs in the classroom.
Teacher Training
We are now offering Teacher Training on ‘Action on Global Citizenship’. These trainings will take place in 5 locations all over Ireland. If you are interested in taking part, please register by emailing [email protected]. Training days will take place in Kildare (28/11/2017), Dublin West (07/12/2017), Drumcondra (18/01/2018), Laois (24/01/2018) and Athlone (07/02/2018). Book early to ensure your place!
Schools Projects
Our campaign-based school projects are supporting a number of schools in the greater Dublin area to get active on the UN Global Goals and create a campaign in their area of interest. This programme is targeting all DEIS schools in the Greater Dublin area. If you are interested please email [email protected].
Resource
Our Teacher Training resource on ‘Action on Global Citizenship’ is available online. You can also order a hard copy from our office. It offers over 25 interactive activities, SDG hard copy cards and photos. Click here to download the resource now.
Action on Global Citizenship is funded by Irish Aid’s WorldWise Global Schools.
Global Citizenship Student Workshops (Primary & Post-Primary)
These 1.5-hour workshops engage students with issues of equity, justice, and minimising harm to our planet. Exploring global citizenship enables students to grow confident in sustainability issues and evaluating the impact of their decisions. If you are interested please email [email protected]