Development Perspectives

19/10/2026

Get ready to raise your voices with us at Making spACE for Community! ✨🎶

We’re delighted that this wonderful choir, the Mosaic Choir, will be joining us for Making spACE for Community, bringing their voices, energy and joy to the occasion! 💚

Formed in the summer of 2022, the choir began with a beautiful purpose: to help learners develop their English listening, speaking and reading skills through the joy of music — in a fun, welcoming and non-academic way. Since then, the choir has become a permanent feature in LMETB King Street.

🌟 Their message is simple: every voice matters! 🌟

We can’t wait to hear them sing and celebrate the power of music to bring people together.

Make sure to join us November 4th:
Register here 🎫 https://makingspaceforcommunity.eventbrite.ie

18/10/2026

We're thrilled to introduce our final panellist, Peter Dolo from Development Education Network-Liberia.

Peter will be attending the conference alongside a cohort of respected community professionals from Liberia through Development Education Network-Liberia as part of the final year of Saolta’s Global SpACEs exchange.

The work of Peter and the Development Education Network-Liberia team has brought amazing and powerful community change in Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone while also providing invaluable insight in many European countries such as Ireland.

His experience will provide an important perspective into how community development has grown, and continues to grow, globally.

Make sure to join us November 4th so you don’t miss out.
Register here 🎫 https://makingspaceforcommunity.eventbrite.ie

18/10/2026

We are thrilled to introduce our other panellist, Nima Ashour. Nima is a former teacher for UNRWA in Gaza, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and a critical perspective of the current context for the global community and community education.

She has received acclaim for her work with University College Dublin, being selected this year following a competitive selection process to serve the Students as Partners role within University College Dublin Teaching and Learning. Nima also recently completed her MSc in Equality Studies at University College Dublin.

After being evacuated from Gaza in 2025 through the Ireland Fellowship Program, Nima has continued to be actively involved in advancing equality, inclusive learning, and meaningful social change in Ireland and globally.

We are honoured to welcome her onto our panel on the 4th of November. Get your tickets now so you don’t miss out on her input.
Register through the linktree in our bio.

16/10/2026

Say hello to one of our panellist for MakingSpACE, Larisa Sinoeriu!

Larisa is an expert in the adult and community educator sector who has done amazing and impactful work with AONTAS, National Adult Learning Organisation of Ireland. She has an impressive background with European Projects and worked at a national level to help shape Adult Learning.

She’s worked closely with Saolta in the past and most recently led a workshop on AONTAS's and Development Perspectives’s resource “Community Education Against Disinformation Workbook”.

Join us on November 4th at the Marino Institute of Education to hear her valuable insight on community education.

Register here 🎫 https://makingspaceforcommunity.eventbrite.ie

15/10/2026

We are thrilled to welcome Kevin McParland as the moderator of our panel!

From his work in Sri Lanka at the Shining Life's Child Trust to his current role as a lecturer in Global Youth Work and Community Development for Dundalk Institute of Technology, Kevin has an extensive and impactful history working with community development that will create an enriching panel you don't want to miss.

Get your tickets now so you don't miss out on learning from him and our other panellists this 4th of November 🎫

Register here: https://MakingspACEforCommunity.eventbrite.ie

14/10/2026

Meet one of our speakers at MAKING spACE FOR COMMUNITY!

We’re delighted to welcome Niall Tierney, Director of the Global Programmes Unit at Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to our event on 4 November! 🇮🇪 🌎

With extensive experience in international development, humanitarian response and global cooperation, Niall brings a wealth of insight into Ireland’s role in tackling global challenges and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. 🌱🤝

If you’re working in Adult and Community Education in Ireland and want to explore how Global Citizenship Education (GCE) can inspire learning, spark critical conversations and empower people to take action for a fairer world, this event is for you!

📅 4 November 🎟️ Tickets are on sale NOW!
👉 Book your ticket today: https://makingspaceforcommunity.eventbrite.ie

See the World Differently www.developmentperspectives.ie Follow us: www.twitter.com/devperspectives

13/10/2026

🌱FOOD FOR THOUGHT – LAYTOWN 🍅🥦🌽
Join us for Food for Thought to explore regenerative, sustainable & equitable agriculture in Ireland and the Global South, and the potential for shared learning & action. 🌾🤝

📅 Thursday, October 15th
🕤 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Sonairte, Laytown

Expect thought-provoking discussions around food, farming, sustainability and how we can work together. 🌱

👉 Scan the QR code on the poster to register or go to https://foodforthought-laytown.eventbrite.ie

12/10/2026

As we enter into Climate Action Week, we reflect on the journey of our SDG Advocate Training 2026 — a journey of learning, connection, and inspiration.
From the Lark Theatre in Balbriggan to Brú Moytura in Sligo, on to Sonairte Ecology Centre, laytown, and finally to Common Knowledge in the heart of the Burren, each stop has deepened our understanding of sustainability, community, and the power of collective action.
The journey of Sustainable Development begins when we recognise that the world is not merely a resource to be managed, but a living relationship to be understood. The hero is not an individual alone, but perhaps humanity itself - each of us carrying a fragment of knowledge needed to sustain the whole.
As we complete this journey, we carry forward new ideas to our communities and colleagues with a renewed hope, and a shared commitment to building a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future.
A big thanks to everyone who participated this year.
SDG Advocates, leaders, facilitators, chefs, ecology centres, our funders and the project co-ordinator.
For 21years now this project has been a leader in Global Citizenship Education and Sustainable Development 👏 on we go!
# Irish Development Education Association - IDEA

12/10/2026

Halfway through our Take the Lead programme! 🌟

Over the past three weeks, an inspiring group of women has been coming together to explore leadership, active citizenship, and community action. From hands-on problem-solving challenges to mapping local assets and unpacking community power structures, the energy and shared insights in the room have been incredible.

We are so excited to dive into the second half of the programme as participants begin shaping their own ideas for positive local change! 💡

A huge thank you to LMETB (Louth and Meath Education and Training Board) and their REACH Fund for supporting this initiative and making this non-formal learning space possible. 👏

10/10/2026

💡🧡 DROGHEDA, FULL OF IDEAS!

The Festival of IDEAS brought energy, creativity and inspiring conversations to Drogheda, exploring how we can reimagine our town and shape a brighter future together.

From urban renewal and community-led ideas to art, architecture, sustainability and the future of our shared spaces, the festival celebrated the people and possibilities that make Drogheda special. ✨

🎬 WATCH THE VIDEO AND RELIVE THE HIGHLIGHTS!

A huge thank you to everyone who took part, shared their ideas and helped make the festival a celebration of creativity, collaboration and community.

🧡 The festival may be over for this year, but the ideas live on. Let's keep imagining, creating and building a better future for Drogheda — together!

▶️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/-ATrCoSABQM