Learn and teach for a sustainable future – Empowering schools and teachers across Ireland to take action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The SDG Challenge Schools Programme is run by Development Perspectives, funded by WorldWise Global Schools. This programme works with schools across the Northeast of Ireland to increase schools’ capacity to raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals and take action on topics of global justice.
SDG Challenge Schools is a global citizenship education project which aims to equip teachers and students with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to take informed action to contribute towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Our programme runs from September to May, but we are available for additional training and support to teachers who would like to incorporate Global Citizenship Education into their subjects.
Project Summary
The project will support teachers in incorporating a Global Citizenship Education (GCE) ethos into their schools and to support their students in leading a project addressing an issue related to the SDGs. The trainings for teachers and workshops for students will take place across the academic year with the SDG Action Project Challenge element beginning on the 8th of January 2024. Teachers and students can begin their project at any time, but must officially enter their project into the competition from this date. The Challenge will culminate with students submitting their projects via a short video to a panel of experts in global citizenship and sustainability on the 18th May 2024 to win a prize for their school! More details on this later!
The recommendation is that all teachers attend the first and last training and choose at least one other training which they have an interest in. Please note, student workshops are available to a limited number of schools and require schools to pitch a theme for the workshops to focus on at the start of the academic year. Students will then be supported on their active citizenship journey through three workshops across the academic year which will take place in school. Schools can participate in the Challenge regardless of whether they participated in student workshops, but there must be at least one teacher engaged from the school to enter.
WaterWise Explorers
Project Summary
Water Wise Explorers will support teachers in incorporating an ethos of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) into their schools and to support their students in leading a project addressing an issue related to SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation. The project draws inspiration from The Seventh Generation Principle, a Haudenosaunee philosophy, which centres on ensuring the decisions we make today result in a sustainable world seven generations from now. The project will empower all participants to recognise the significance of the quality of our rivers and act as stewards of the local life forces – the Boyne and the Nanny.
The project will support teachers and students to increase their knowledge and skills and empower them to take informed action. The trainings for teachers and workshops for students will take place across the academic year. Please note, student workshops are available to a limited number of schools. You will find the outline of all sessions and key dates on the next page.
What is Global Citizenship Education?
Global Citizenship Education aims to increase awareness and understanding of the interconnected world which we live in.
Global Citizenship Education:
- facilitates schools to take action for a more just and sustainable world.
- is about teaching and learning through a global justice lens.
- allows schools to explore the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to become global citizens.
Global Citizenship Education is a lifelong journey:
The SDG Challenge Schools uses the SDGs as a framework for Global Citizenship Education
Learn more: SDG Challenge
Exploratory Learning:
We believe learning should be immersive and emotive. The idea is to cultivate curiosity and compassion and action will follow. We want to empower teachers and students with critical thinking tools so they can make informed decisions as an individual, part of their community, and citizens of the world. In order to ensure a holistic approach our programme is organised as shown:
Students will also receive a monthly interactive journal, ‘My GCE Journey’, which highlights a different SDG each month. If you would like to avail of this free resource, please get in touch.
Teacher’s testimonies:
“I loved learning about the different projects that other schools are doing, for example eco-bricks”.
“I really valued the opportunity to discuss action projects with teachers from other schools.”
“I learned about the SDGs and how we are all responsible in helping to achieve the goals.”
Contact us
If you wish to find out more about the programme or how your school can get involved, please contact coordinator Gareth Conlon
gareth@developmentperspectives.ie
Phone: +353 419801005
