DevelopmentEducation.ie

Ahead of International Youth Day on 12 August, we’re sharing three resources for engaging young people with some big global questions.

How is inequality created? How are our everyday lives connected to globalisation? And what can we learn when young people’s own experiences and voices lead the conversation?

📚 A Rich Man’s World? https://developmenteducation.ie/resource/a-rich-mans-world/
🌍 Globalisation: The Youth and The Truth https://developmenteducation.ie/resource/globalisation-the-youth-and-the-truth/
💬 Tight Spaces — an educational resource on Direct Provision created by young people, for young people. https://developmenteducation.ie/resource/tight-spaces-an-educational-resource-on-the-direct-provision-system-created-by-young-people-for-young-people/

Together, they offer opportunities to question inequality, connect local and global realities, listen to lived experience and explore possibilities for action.

Find all three on DevelopmentEducation.ie.

National Youth Council of Ireland ARD Family Resource Centre ( Ardaun, Roscam and Doughiska.) Irish Refugee Council

On 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples invites us to recognise Indigenous peoples’ rights, histories, cultures and continuing struggles for justice.

Our featured resource explores Australia’s Stolen Generations, examining the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families and communities, as well as the National Apology and debates around reparation and reconciliation.

A useful resource for educators exploring colonialism, Indigenous rights, historical responsibility and justice with learners.

📚 Explore it on Development Education IE: https://developmenteducation.ie/feature/a-focus-on-aboriginal-australia/issues-the-stolen-generation-the-apology-reparation-and-compensation/

This World Youth Skills Day, let’s recognise the many different skills young people need to shape a fairer and more sustainable future.

The 2026 theme, “Skills for a Shared Future”, reminds us that skills are not limited to preparing for employment. Young people also need critical thinking, communication, cooperation, empathy and meaningful opportunities to participate in the decisions affecting their lives.

To mark the day, we’re sharing two practical development education resources by National Youth Council of Ireland:

🌍 The Global YOUth – Journey to Act! includes 13 activities that educators and youth workers can use to help young people explore global issues and move from reflection towards action.

🗣️ Making a Difference! – Young People Participating to Change Their World explores what participation means to young people in Ireland and internationally, and how their involvement can create change at both local and global levels.

Young people already have ideas, experiences and perspectives that matter. The right learning spaces can help them build the confidence and skills to use them.

Explore the resources:
🔗 The Global YOUth – Journey to Act!: https://developmenteducation.ie/resource/the-global-youth-journey-to-act/
🔗 Making a Difference!: https://developmenteducation.ie/resource/making-a-difference-young-people-participating-to-change-their-world/

🌍World Population Day is a chance to pause and ask bigger questions about the world we share.

Not just how many people are there, but also:
- How are resources shared?
- Who consumes the most?
- Who has the least?
- And what does this mean for justice, sustainability and young people’s futures?

Our animation Consumption in a world of 32:1 is a short, thought-provoking resource for anyone interested in global justice, education and the choices that shape our world.

Watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aQbMrHbKWE and explore more resources on population, consumption and sustainability.

- https://developmenteducation.ie/blog/2019/06/24/world-population-a-rich-resource-with-great-data-and-killer-graphics/
- https://developmenteducation.ie/feature/exploring-the-shape-of-our-world-today/debating-population/
- https://developmenteducation.ie/feature/are-environmental-problems-easier-to-solve-with-fewer-people/
- https://developmenteducation.ie/resource/if-the-world-had-100-people/

What question would you bring into the classroom, youth group or discussion space today?

Consumption in a world of 32:1 Stats, reports & production notes: https://developmenteducation.ie/...

What does your morning coffee connect you to? ☕

For the International Day of Cooperatives, we’re sharing a story that begins in the mountains of northern Nicaragua and reaches all the way to Ireland.

In our podcast episode From Nicaragua to Ireland: Fairtrade Coffee and Global Solidarity, Fátima Ismael of SOPPEXCCA speaks about coffee, cooperation, women’s leadership, Fairtrade and the long-term relationships that can support farming communities.

SOPPEXCCA is a union of coffee cooperatives, but its story is also about education, reforestation, food security, social justice and solidarity across borders.

It’s a reminder that cooperatives are not just business models. At their best, they are ways of organising around shared responsibility, community needs and a fairer future.

Listen to the episode and explore the story behind the coffee: https://developmenteducation.ie/blog/2026/02/05/from-nicaragua-to-dublin-fairtrade-coffee-and-global-solidarity/

Fairtrade Ireland