index Issue 23 / April 2009
Irish Newsletter for Development Education Exchange
Photo by Irigoien. Bloom Campaigners Call for a Just Economic System in November 2008
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Editorial Over the past few months the economic crisis has affected all sectors and communities. We have watched our government struggle to deal with the crisis, our media struggle to communicate it, and we have seen them turn for advice to people whom many hold responsible for the crisis. This is a time for us to reconsider how we want our society and our economy to work, and to question previously untouchable wisdom about what works. There are other experts out there that we can listen to. We need to look at how we can act in solidarity with people around the world for social justice and an economy that works for everyone. The causes of the crisis can be difficult to understand and even harder to communicate to others. On page 3 Patrick Marin looks at how these issues can be explored by educators. In February the government again cut overseas development aid. On page 4 Hans Zomer looks at how the economic crisis is damaging Irish aid agencies’ ability to support vulnerable people and communities. Visit http://www.comhlamh. org/aid-cuts.html to ask our government to ensure continued support and funding for development work. Mbemba Jabbi looks at the impact of the crisis on immigrants on page 5. As competition for jobs and other resources increases, we need to be aware of the danger of increases in racist acts and the potential scapegoating of immigrants.
The Great Recession by Patrick Marren
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Downturn deals double 4 blow to charities by Hans Zomer What price do immigrants have to pay? 5 Mbemba Abdulie Jabbi INDEX Links: 6 Dev Ed courses and events EU News & International Dates
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Profiles: Community Powerdown and 9 Transition Towns & Tax Justice Campaign Dev Ed news, funding, 10 and resources Resource Review: ‘Together we Play, Learn and Understand’ by Paula Galvin
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www.comhlamh.org
We also look at what actions individuals can take. Thinking globally and acting locally Cultivate has developed a Community Powerdown course and is involved in the Transition Towns idea, while Debt and Development Coalition calls for rich individuals and corporations to pay their taxes (page 9).
INDEX is a free Comhlámh publication for people interested in educating on global development issues funded by Comhlámh, Trócaire, and Irish Aid. The views expressed in individual articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organisations to which they are affiliated, the editorial committee, or Comhlámh.
A new resource for teachers is reviewed on page 11. To feedback on this issue or to have information included in the July issue email index@comhlamh.org or call the Dev Ed team on 01 478 3490 by June 6th.
Development Education is about increasing people’s awareness and understanding of global issues and of the interdependence of different countries and parts of the world in relation to those issues. In particular, it is about what sustains under-development and what is needed to reach and sustain more equal development. It is an education based on reflection, analysis and action at local and global level (Dóchas).
“Speaking the truth in times of universal deceit is a revolutionary act” – George Orwell
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The editorial committee are: Ali Leahy (Comhlámh), Jenna Coriddi (CGE, Belfast), Aoife Rush (Trócaire), and Lucy Hill (NYCI), Mbemba Jabbi (Africa Centre), Nogugu Mafu (KADE).
The Great Recession
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here was a rather poor joke on http://fistfulofeuros.net/ the other day – how you know you’re in a recession when everybody reads the business page. While not funny, it captures the essence of how the current economic crisis has grabbed most people’s attention. We are currently going through an unprecedented economic implosion. The closest historical event was the infamous Great Depression of the 1930’s, when the economies of the US, Germany and many others plummeted, global trade collapsed and unemployment rocketed. The social stresses resulting from these events, laid some of the ground for the Second World War, but also for major shifts in national socioeconomic policy responses. Capitalist governments the world over moved towards the Keynesian activist state model, inspired by arguably the greatest economic text of the 20th Century, The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money, by JM Keynes. This current crisis is also producing a fundamental rethink of how we run our societies, the type of policies that we need to promote efficiencies, how we reward management and protect workers, and the type of regulation and institutions needed to deal with globalised companies operating in globalised markets. Despite the current popular belief that we here in the Republic of Ireland are the only state undergoing recession, it’s important to put what’s being experienced here into a global context. This crisis is a global event facilitated to some extent by the last forty years of globalisation that increased interconnectedness between countries through trade, migration, investment and communication. To convey the global nature, but also the scale and rapidity of the down turn, a workshop could kick off by
introducing some of major numbers involved with the current downturn. For example, how China has lost over 20 million jobs because of the slowdown (http://fistfulofeuros.net/ category/afoe/page/14/ ). Or how Japanese exports have declined by 46% year on year, including a 69% fall in their car exports, especially those to the US and Europe. Iceland’s spectacular banking collapse means it has gone from the No. 1 country in the world (UNDP HDI 2008) to having a debt level of 850% of GDP. Unprecedented public demonstrations took place to get rid of the government that presided over bank debacle (http://www.vanityfair. com/politics/features/2009/04/ iceland200904), read in conjunction with the following http://nymag.com/ daily/intel/2009/03/reality_check_ vanity_fairs_fis.htm. And of course, use a local example. Irish government finances have now collapsed to such a state that current (March 09) forecasts of the tax take imply our tax revenue can only cover expenditure for two government departments, Health and Social Welfare; everything else must be borrowed. http://www.budget.gov. ie/2009/budgetsummary09.html So, how did this happen? There is not definitive account, but a combination of financial globalisation, housing bubbles, and poor fiscal and monetary polices, seem to be common to many countries now facing the downturn. So to get a handle on it, you’ve got to look at the issues of financial globalisation, and how it allowed the expansion of a particular banking model, the concentration of the banking sector, and the tunnelling of banking assets through the spread of sub-prime securitisation. The Financial times explains the credit squeeze at http://www.ft.com/cms/ s/2/c2c12708-6d10-11dc-ab190000779fd2ac.html. I tend to contrast Irish expenditure
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and revenue figures to highlight the interlinkages between the budget and borrowing requirements. Then illustrate how fiscal and monetary policies work by looking at the possible responses to the current financing gap. For instance, contractionary fiscal policy that focuses on spending cuts and raising revenue, and expansionary monetary policies in terms of interest rate reductions. The debate in the US, around its stimulus package between the Republicans and Democrats, provides a nice way of illustrating different ideological standpoints of their respective supporters. I also compare the coherent response from the US and ad-hoc poorly co-ordinated response from Europe to illustrate that while Europe has integrated monetarily and economically, our political institutions need a radical overhaul to cope with the pressures associated with globalisation. See Krugman’s piece in the New York Times http://www. nytimes.com/2009/03/16/opinion/ 16krugman.html?bl&ex=123734880 0&en=7a630fdbc88be4e6&ei=5087 %0A. Finally, we’re left with the ‘Where to now?’ question. While it’s very premature, Dani Rodrik has a nice piece called Coming soon: Capitalism 3.0 (http://www.projectsyndicate.org/commentary/rodrik28) which gives a counter assessment to the much talked about death of capitalism. Unfortunately Rodrik, like so many others, doesn’t even consider that perhaps the whole growth model is in question. See the presentation made by Kevin Anderson from the Tyndall Centre at the ODI talk on the Challenge of Growth, http://www.odi.org.uk/ events/report.asp?id=426&title=chall enge-growth-can-economic-growthbe-compatible-climate-changemitigation-targets Patrick Marren, Lecturer in Kimmage Development Studies Centre, http://www.kimmagedsc.ie
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Downturn deals double blow to charities
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oor people losing their ability to respond to the crisis, as rich countries compound poor countries’ plight.
The global economic crisis that has ravaged stock markets and confounded governments is now forcing Irish charities to cut services and programmes, as funding is drying up. The problem, say Irish aid agencies, is twofold: the crisis means that the need for their work is greater than ever but nearly all sources of income are decreasing as a result of the same global economic crisis. The government’s aid budget has been cut, private donations are down, and volunteers are harder to get. “We have experienced a small but emerging and worrying loss of regular donors who have been affected by redundancy. In other instances where household incomes have come under pressure, donors have been forced to reduce the scale of their regular giving,” said Brian Hanratty, CEO of Gorta. He added, “In the development sector generally, support from government, corporate and high net worth donors has experienced a slowdown. However, despite the economic circumstances, the vast majority of our donors continue to maintain their support at previous levels, being mindful that they are supporting communities who are in far worse circumstances – lacking clean water, food security, basic healthcare and educational facilities, and having limited opportunity to create sustainable livelihoods.” Other NGOs agree that, overall, support from the public is holding up, but that government and corporations are reducing their support for overseas aid. And they emphasize that the difficulties they encounter pale into insignificance, when compared to the multiple crises that the people they serve are dealing with. The capacity of poor people across the globe to withstand set-backs and economic downturns had already been eroded over the last number of years by the meteoric rises in the price of food. This food crisis meant that millions of families are being forced to spend their entire income on food alone, leaving no money for healthcare, education, housing or clothes. In February, the World Bank estimated that the crisis will push 46 million more people below the poverty line of $2 a day than was expected before the crisis emerged in 2007. This comes on top of the estimated 130-150 million people pushed into poverty because of soaring
“The government’s aid budget has been cut, private donations are down, and volunteers are harder to get.” food and fuel prices. Even before the current turmoil, developing country governments were being hit in multiple ways, and now the global recession means that international trade falters and demand for poor countries’ exports (mainly raw materials) plummets. International investors withdraw, and financial markets shun the bonds and currencies of countries that are perceived as too risky. Stock markets in many developing countries have fallen further than those in rich countries, and traders in many African countries are finding it next to impossible to access credit to keep their businesses going. On top of all this, the inflow of moneys from remittances – which in 2005 totalled €146 billion; twice the amount of official assistance developing countries received – and foreign aid are also drying up. Irish Development NGOs say their number one priority is to continue to support the most vulnerable people and communities in this climate of international crisis. For Irish charities, this means protecting and preserving programmes that are already under way. Many agencies have cut staff costs and cut programmes, or postponed activities. Across the sector, NGOs are drawing on their much-needed reserves to keep programmes going. The current crisis highlights very clearly the need for charities to have a broad and diverse funding base. Ironically, those organisations with that muchmaligned trait of NGOs – high overheads – and those that have invested in professional staff, high quality financial management systems, and strong governance procedures, are the very organisations that are weathering the storm best. It is one of the great tragedies of the charity sector that in good times donors are uninterested in supporting organisations that prioritise quality of performance over leanness, while in bad times donors don’t notice the vital difference that professional management and cautiousness bring to an NGO. Who knows, this time it may be different? Hans Zomer is Director of Dóchas, the umbrella group for Ireland’s Development NGOs. If you are interested in learning more about the causes of the economic crisis and the impact it is having on the world’s poor the Dóchas website, www.dochas.ie, has a collection of recent papers on this topic.
What price do immigrants have to pay? Remittances provide three times more money than aid transfers
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acism has increased during the last four months. We have seen pensioners protesting that immigrants were sponging the state by getting free medical treatment while the pensioners who were being asked to pay for their medical bills. Since the beginning of the year immigrant taxi drivers have been subjected to insults and intimidation by their fellow drivers and passengers. Irish taxi drivers in Dublin took to the streets demanding that the regulator minimize the already issued licenses to taxi drivers, who are mainly immigrants. Immigrants make up about one tenth of the labour market in Ireland, and have contributed to the growth of the Irish economy in the last few years in all sectors. However due to economic uncertainty the positive contribution of immigrants in Ireland has not featured in recent debates, leading to some commentators and campaigners commenting that immigrants are to blame for the recession. Prior to the recession many qualified immigrants found it difficult to obtain employment due to the fact that their qualifications were not recognized or their level of fluency of the English language was not adequate. A pilot employment project held by the Africa Centre last year, helped African immigrants who had work permits to secure a stable job. Interestingly the majority of those who attended the training had a primary degree or post graduate qualification from their home countries, but because their qualifications are not recognised in Ireland they are unable to get employment. All these developments should teach us a lesson as development educators and activists that more work needs to be done in educating the public on the causes of the recession and to look for solutions to tackle its associated effects. In my view is important to distinguish between the short- and long-term effects of the crisis on migration and integration. Short-term effects include the return of some migrant workers to their homelands as a of unemployment or pay cuts; this has been evident in the case of Polish workers returning home. The loss of a job for one family member may mean that parent must return home while the other remains in Ireland as the sole income earner. In such a situation it is the children that are the most vulnerable.
As unemployment rises and contracts are terminated, immigrants who would have obtained a legal work permit are now becoming undocumented immigrants as they cannot renew their status. Secondly there will be reduction in levels of migration into Ireland and in remittances from migrants to their home communities. These remittances provide three times more money than aid transfers, and their reduction will cause hardship for dependent communities. In this way, for immigrants, the recession in Ireland is linked to the development of our countries. Economic downturns also affect civil society groups that work with immigrants. Recently we have seen the abolition of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) at a time when it is badly needed. Similar agencies should be in place to see us through the hard-times we are facing, but instead their funding and independence is being reduced. To understand the long-term effects of migration and integration it is important to study the world economic crisis of the 1980’s. During this time there was a massive decline of international labour migration, despite the drought in sub-Saharan African during the same period. The current crisis will have unpredictable effects that we will not foresee for some time. When economic conditions get bad in rich countries they may be even worse in poorer countries. Moreover, global economic inequality and the demographic imbalances between the ageing populations of the North and the large cohorts of working age persons in the South will remain important factors in generating future migration. Finally, immigrants are not just economic actors, but are also social beings. They put down roots and form relationships in new countries. Therefore it is probably a misconception to believe that immigrants will serve as a sort of safety valve for developed economies, by providing labour in times of economic expansion and going away in times of recession. Mbemba Abdulie Jabbi, Programme Officer Development Education, Africa Centre, www.africacentre.ie.
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Courses Development Studies The Kimmage Development Studies Centre (KDSC) invites applications for the following HETAC accredited programmes, commencing in September 2009: MA/Post Graduate Diploma in Development Studies: This 14 month full time post graduate programme is aimed at leaders, facilitators and managers of local development projects in developing countries and actual or potential staff of development agencies in Ireland and elsewhere. Closing date for applications is 29th May 09. BA Degree in Development Studies: This two year programme, delivered by a combination of taught course work and open/distance learning, is targeted at mature learners who have some prior experience of working in international development and /or the community development and voluntary sector in Ireland, and who wish to study for a Degree for the first time. Closing date for applications is 24th July 09. Contact: call 01 4064386 / 4064380, e-mail info@kimmagedsc.ie Visit: www.kimmagedsc.ie Community Powerdown This course provides learners with the context of the global crises we face and offers pathways and a set of tools that will enable them and their communities to make an informed response. Using short presentations, case studies, discussions and ten specially produced short films participants explore how to accelerate the transition to local resilience. Visit: www.cultivate.ie/learning/ powerdown. NYCI Dev Ed Programme Funding Dev Ed in Youth: 3 Dec Participative Approaches in Global Youth Work: 9 Sept Creative Approaches in Dev Ed: 24 Sept Act Up!: 7 April and 17 Sept Linking to the Wider World: 17 April and 18 Nov
Exploring Global Justice Issues in Youth Work: 9 June One World Week Training: Sept - Nov Dev Ed through Forum Theatre: 6 Oct Contact: Alan Hayes, 01 4255932, alan.hayes@nyci.ie Dtalk – Development Training & Learning @ Kimmage Creative Facilitation: 20-22 April Creative Facilitation (Refresher Course): 23 April Proposal Development: 29-30 April Working Together and Dealing with Conflicts: 19-20 May Working with the Media: 20-21 May Venue: Development Studies Centre, Kimmage. Contact: Selam Desta, selam. desta@kimmagedsc.ie, 01 4064341 or Niamh Brennan, niamh.brennan@ kimmagedsc.ie, 01 4064307 or visit www.dtalk.ie. Dev Ed Masters degree course This course is run by the Institute of Education, University of London. Students can apply to undertake the full MA or particular modules. These modules are: - Principles and Practices in Development Education - Development Education in Era of Globalisation - Training for Development Education - Global Partnerships Applications are now open for students who wish to undertake any of these courses, which will begin in the autumn of 2009 and January 2010. Contact: Doug Bourn, email d.bourn@ioe.ac.uk.
Post-Graduate Diploma in Intercultural Education Coláiste Mhuire, Marino Institute of Education, in association with the School of Education, Trinity College (pending final arrangements) is offering this new course. Dates: Starts in May 2009. The next course will commence Sept 09, thereafter. Visit: http://www.mie.ie/About-MIE/ Latest-News/NEW-Post-GraduationDiploma-in-Education--Intercul.aspx for more information.
Lobbying for Trade Justice and Sustainable Development This one day training will prepare you to take an active part in an EU wide campaign to get constituents talking to their MEP candidates. We need you to help ensure that our EU representatives work to bring about an EU which puts sustainable development and global justice at the heart of all of its policies. These workshops will particularly focus on EU trade policy, and the unfair trade deals the EU is trying to negotiate with developing countries. A toolkit and ongoing support will also be provided in the run up to the European elections, and beyond. Venue: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, Waterford - venues and times TBC Date: April and May Contact: Fleachta, email fleachta@ comhlamh.org, call 01 4783490, visit www.comhlamh.org/ campaigns for more information Comhlamh’s Volunteering Options One-to-One Advice Service 20 minute appointments are available with Comhlámh staff to talk through options for volunteering for global development. Venue: Irish Aid Volunteering Centre, O’Connell Street. Date: Thursday 7th May and 4th June, 5.00 – 7pm Contact: To book contact Kate on 01-4783490 or kate@comhlamh.org. DEEEP Summer School “Recognizing, Engaging, Motivating Young People as Actors in Development Education, Campaigning, Advocacy” Date: June 21-28 Venue: Cheile Gradistei, Romania Visit: www.deeep.org. International Development and Aid course Ballsbridge College runs this one year full time FETAC accredited course. They are holding an enrolment day on Wednesday May 13, 2 – 4pm Visit: www.ballsbridgecollege.com/ iad.html
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Events Coming Home Weekend This weekend provides an enjoyable opportunity to share your experiences, meet other returned development workers, learn, socialise, network and exchange stories and advice. It will ensure that you are aware of all the services available to you and will link you in to groups, organisations and activities that might be of interest to you. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the experience of working overseas so that you can integrate it effectively as you look forward to the years ahead. Date: April 24-26th, Friday evening to Sunday afternoon inclusive Venue: Dublin Contact: Lily, email lily@comhlamh. org, call 01 4783490, visit www.comhlamh.org/ support for development workers/coming home/coming home weekends/. Comhlámh AGM & Development Forum All Comhlámh members are welcome to come along and take part. Date: 23rd May Venue: Dublin Contact: For more information contact Orla, email orla@comhlamh.org, call 01 4783490 Dóchas AGM Participation open to Dóchas members only. Date: 30 April, starts at 9.30pm Contact: For more information visit www.dochas.ie IDEA Conference This year’s IDEA conference “Reclaiming Justice through Action in Development Education” will focus on the centrality of action to the development education agenda. The conference aims at building capacity of the sector on some of the most important and effective action strategies, including learning about relevant international legal frameworks, in order to assist in the protection of a progressive
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development agenda. Date: June 18th from 9.30 am to 4 pm Venue: Dublin (venue TBA) Contact: Visit www.ideaonline.ie Workshop on North/South Research Partnerships for ICT in Education Hosted by The Global e-Schools and Communities Initiative (GeSCI) this workshop aims to promote a research dialogue between north/south institutions on the emerging opportunities for potential partnership research projects in ICT for Education. Date: 21 April Venue: Irish Aid Centre, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 Contact: Niamh Brannigan, T: 01 6425283, or visit www.gesci.org. Convergence 14: Making the Transition to Resilience This sustainable living festival will include talks, conferences, workshops and world café discussions on how we accelerate community responses to the economic downturn, resource depletion and climate change. Date: 22nd - 28th April 2009 Venue: Dublin, Thurles, Cloughjordan Contact: Visit www.cultivate.ie for more information Call 01 674 5773 to book Ghanaian Art Exhibition Safori, a Ghanaian artist based in USA will exhibit 20 painting of artistry. Safori began professionally painting in 1997. After enrolling in a San Francisco Art school his Russian instructor, after seeing his portfolio, pulled him aside and told him to go home and paint and not allow anyone teach him to paint. It was from this point that he began to explore his innate talent as an artist. This joint venture between Africa Centre and Trócaire is an opportunity not to be missed. Date: 18th-23rd May Venue: Irish Aid Centre, Dublin 2
Contact: Rebecca@africacentre.ie, call 018656951, visit www.africacentre.ie Africa Centre 7th Annual lecture The Africa Centre’s annual lecture, funded by Irish Aid, has become a key annual event which contributes to the Irish African dialogue. Date: 20th May Venue: TBC Contact: Rebecca@africacentre. ie, call 018656951, visit www. africacentre.ie Afro gig – Africa Day Meiway a vibrant artist from the Ivory Coast and one of the most prolific artists in Africa, performs as part of Africa Day celebrations. He uses a very unique style of rhythm called Zoblazo which is native to the Ivory Coast. Once Meiways’ Afro-Caribbean style is discovered it captivates both body and soul and propels you to want to dance. Miss this gig and you will miss the musical highlight of your summer. Tickets cost €20 at the door, €15 now. Date: 23rd May 2009, 7pm-11pm Venue: National Stadium, South Circular Road, Dublin 8 Contact: Rebecca@africacentre.ie, call 018656951 or 0868823765, visit www.africacentre.ie Public Debate with MEPs Dóchas will host this debate on ‘Making Europe Work for Develoment – An Agenda for Irish MEPs’ and launch their development agenda. Fintan O’Toole will host a Q & A. Date: 15th May Venue: European Parliament Office, 43 Molesworth St, Dublin 2 Contact: Registration is essential, email anna@dochas.ie. Limerick Africa night Enjoy an evening of music by Talking Drum, Shah, and Rap Ireland to celebrate Africa Day. Date: 16th May, 8-11pm Venue: South Court Hotel, Limerick Cost: €10 Contact: Rebecca, email rebecca@ africacentre.ie, www.africacentre.ie
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EU Corner Social Justice Activists Call for Change! The economic crisis has resulted in a mobilisation of social justice activists across Europe calling on those in power to create an economy based on fair distribution of wealth, decent jobs for all and a low carbon future. More than 150 representatives of trade unions, farmers’ movements, the have-not movements, and global justice, environmental, development, migrants, faith-based, women’s, student and youth, and anti-poverty groups from all over Europe gathered in Paris in January to analyse collectively the current crises, to develop joint strategies and to discuss joint demands and alternatives in response to these crises. This conversation was continued on February 28th, as activists gathered in East London for the ‘6 Billion Ways’ conference, which looked at how people can make change happen. Visit www.6billionways.org.uk to learn more. A collection of rich country leaders known as the G20 met on April 2nd to decide how to tackle the global financial crisis. In the lead up to this activists challenged the G20 to recognise that even before the banking collapse, the world was suffering from poverty, inequality and the threat of climate chaos, that the financial model the world has been following is responsible for creating an economy fuelled by ever-increasing debt, both financial and environmental. A ‘March for Jobs, Justice and Climate’ took place in London on March 28th (http://www.putpeoplefirst.org. uk/), while April 1st was declared ‘Financial Fools’ Day. Various ‘Financial Fools’ actions took place across Europe with the aim of exposing unaccountable financial power and promoting democratic control of finance (http://www. financialfoolsday.com/). On 18th and 19th of April 2009 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, activists will meet again to develop the next steps of mobilisation and strategies towards change. Meanwhile, the European Elections are fast approaching, with the 27 member states going to the polls between June 3rd and 5th to elect their representatives in the European Parliament for the next five years. The members of an EU-wide alliance of civil society organisations, called Seattle 2 Brussels, are calling on concerned citizens to meet with their own MEP candidates to discuss their grave concerns around EU trade policy, and the devastating impacts it may have on the global south. For more information on this see http://www.comhlamh.org/ campaigns.html and http://globaleuropewatch.org/. Comhlámh has prepared a lobby pack for activists specifically around trade issues, while the members of
Dóchas have drawn up a comprehensive manifesto touching on trade, aid, climate change among other key issues, and outlining a holistic development agenda for MEPs. Do get in touch with us to get a copy and get involved!
International Dates to Remember 3 May
World Press Freedom Day
Many mainstream media outlets are owned or strongly influenced by business interests. The global indymedia network supports accurate and passionate tellings of the truth. Ireland’s indymedia site can be accessed at www.indymedia.ie. In some countries being a journalist can be a very dangerous job. Visit http://www.cpj.org/ for information on how journalists are being harassed, imprisoned, and killed worldwide.
15 May
International Day of Families
On this day celebrate the family, and explore different notions of what makes a family. Visit the UN site http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/IDF.html.
21 June
National Aboriginal Day
The following link contains useful resources for educating about aboriginal people in Canada http:// www.2learn.ca/mapset/enjoy/aboriginal/aboriginal. asp. To look at the treatment of aboriginal people in Australia, visit http://www.creativespirits.info/ aboriginalculture/people/.
7 July
International Day of Cooperatives
A major shift is needed to move towards peoplecentred business structures that nurture a sense of community. The co-operative method of economic organisation may be one way to achieve this. Cooperatives play an important role in economic, social, and cultural development and in the achievement of social policy objectives. Visit www. un.org/esa/socdev/social/intldays/IntlCoops/ and for more information on cooperatives in Ireland visit http://www.sustainable.ie/resources/money/art04.htm.
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Profiles Community Powerdown & Transition Towns Accelerating the transition to local resilience The planet is facing a ‘triple crunch’: a deepening financial crisis, an imminent peak in global oil production, and accelerating climate change. These three events mean that we will have to drastically reduce our use of fossil fuels, decarbonise our economy, and build local resilience. That is quite a challenge! Dr. Brian Walker defines resilience as, “the capacity of a system to absorb disturbance and reorganise while undergoing change.” In the context of local communities it refers to their ability to weather shock and to be able to maintain their basic needs from local resources. Because there is no readily available alternative to how we fuel our way of life - no resilience - our dependence on oil leaves us especially vulnerable. So how do we build local resilience? Since its initial emergence in Kinsale in 2005, the Transition Towns idea has spread virtually across the world,
serving as a catalyst for community– led responses to these challenges. What makes the Transition process different is its emphasis on building resilience in the face of peak oil and climate change. Transition begins with the premise that a lower-energy, more resilient community could mean a higher quality of life and have many advantages, including local employment and increased stability. In Ireland the Cultivate Centre has established a network of communities engaged in powering down and building resilience. The Irish Transition Network, which now includes over 20 towns, cities and villages, encourages energy conservation, local food production, and the development of sustainable livelihoods.
Community Powerdown course participants Photo by Eoin Campbell
the this course see www.cultivate. ie/learning/powerdown. Davie Philip is the Education Manager at the Cultivate Centre for sustainable living and learning in Dublin. He coordinates the Transition Town Network in Ireland and has just completed a series of TV shows called ‘The Powerdown Show’, available on DVD from Cultivate. Contact davie@cultivate.ie.
The Community Powerdown course also supports the aim of reducing carbon emissions and the building of local resilience. For information on
Irish Campaigners call for Tax Justice Tax is a fundamental question of global justice. As the financial crisis exposes the urgent need for transformation of our financial and economic systems, there is a growing movement around the world to ensure that rich individuals and corporations pay the right amount of tax. It is estimated that countries of the Global South lose some US$ 160 billion per year due to corporate tax evasion and tax avoidance. That is about 1.5 times the amount they receive in aid each year. If multi-national corporations ceased avoiding tax in the Global South, governments would have their own resources to improve the lives of their people. The OECD estimates that tax havens like Bermuda, Switzerland and the Isle of Man hold between $5
and $7 trillion in their accounts. Ireland has been called an ‘offshore financial centre’ by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is seen by many to be facilitating this injustice. Campaigners call on the Irish government to put an end to tax dodging through supporting international action against bank secrecy and forcing companies to publish where they earn their money, how much tax they pay and where they pay it. Recently campaigners from all around Europe visited the tax haven of Jersey and held a public meeting. They called for a just and sustainable global economy that puts people andthe planet first. Tax
havens,including Jersey, are now under pressure internationally to end their facilitation of tax avoidance practices. Visit www.debtireland.org to find out how to take part in the campaign or email campaign@ debtireland.org. See Christian Aid’s 2007 report ‘Death and Taxes: The True Toll of Tax Dodging’, available at http:// www.christianaid.ie/resources/ policy/tax.aspx.
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or visit http://www.centreforglobaleducation.com/.
Funding
2nd issue out now! To subscribe go to: www.trenthambooks.co.uk or email darren@trentham-books.co.uk. The Journal welcomes contributions for issues 4 and 5 that particularly focus on outcomes of research within formal education and what is meant by global citizenship education. Contact: Doug Bourn, email d.bourn@ioe.ac.uk.
Cuts in funding for development Early this year the Irish government slashed the overseas aid budget by 95 million. To read more about the ramifications of this see Hans Zimmer’s article on page 5 or visit www.dochas.ie.
Mobilising for Justice Grants Scheme Trócaire’s new Mobilising for Justice (MfJ) Grants Scheme, replaces its Dev Ed Small Grants. Trócaire supports Irish groups undertaking educational programmes which promote awareness of development issues and empower people in working for change. Application forms are available online. Visit http://www. trocaire.org/en/resources/development-education-grant for more information.
Critical Literacy Journal
The 4th issue has been published online at www.criticalliteracyjournal.org.
Compass Directions – new issue and new home
The new issue is available at http://www.comhlamh.org/ development-education-compass-project-publications. html. Future issues will be produced by Waterford One World Centre, contact susan@waterfordoneworldcentre. com.
Evaluation of the EC funding line for Dev Ed
Reprint of Images of the Global South
This report on European Commission (EC) funded actions is now available online! It evaluates activities implemented between 1998 and 2007. Available at http://www.deeep.org/.
Compass is planning a second print run of these guidelines for primary educators for working with photographs from around the world. Contact the Comhlámh office at 01 4783490. Available to download from www.comhlamh.org.
Grundtvig In Service Training Grant (Adult Education Sector) This provides funding for those involved in the delivery of adult education in the formal and non-formal sectors to enhance their skills and broaden their awareness of lifelong learning within Europe. Next deadline for applications: 30th April for training activities starting on or after the 1st September 2009. Visit http://www.activelink.ie/ce/ active.php?id=3050. For information on Grundtvig visits and exchanges visit http://www.activelink.ie/ce/active. php?id=4088.
Principles and Techniques of Fundraising
This course is organised by the Centre for Nonprofit Management. Participation is limited to forty people and places will be allocated on a ‘first come’ basis. Date: 18-22 May Venue: The IMI, Sandyford, Dublin 16. Contact: Siobhán McGee, E: nonprofit@tcd.ie, T: 01 896 3775, or visit http://www.cnm.tcd.ie/education/ executive-education/index.php
Resources Dev Ed Journal Issue 8 of the Centre for Global Education’s Dev Ed journal, Policy and Practice, is now available on the theme of Public Awareness. Contact Jenna, email jenna@ centreforglobaleducation.com,
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Dev Ed &Global Learning Journal
Diversity through the Arts resource pack
Based on Comhlámh’s course of the same name this pack highlights some of the ways the arts could be used to promote inclusion, build participation, challenge discrimination and celebrate diversity in today’s classroom. Contact Ali@comhlamh.org, call 01 4783490, or visit www.comhlamh.org.
African Development Game
An adaptation of the World Trade Game developed by ActionAid, this role play simulation game demonstrates the difficulties six African countries face in reaching the Millennium Development Goals. Available to download at http://eprints.ru.ac.za/741/.
Clean Start Building a fairer global economy. An online guide to the financial crisis by New Internationalist. Visit http://www.newint.org/sites/cleanstart/. Blogs on the economy http://voxeu.org http://www.irisheconomy.ie/ One World, Our World Irish Aid produced children’s book explores the lives of children in countries receiving aid from Ireland. Call 1890 252 676, or email irishaidcentre@dfa.ie.
INDEX
Reviews & Resources
Together we Play, Learn and Understand a resource pack for language support teachers and teachers in culturally diverse classrooms, reviewed by Paula Galvin, second class teacher. This resource pack is an attractively produced, colourful, and practical resource for both language support and mainstream class teachers. It consists of games to support children learning English, games for the whole class, and a series of workshops based on the rights of the child. All the games are introduced in a simple, clear style, all beautifully illustrated by children. For each game there are extension activities that are practical and easy to implement. None require materials other than those normally found in the classroom. The activities are short and, above all, fun for the children. They could be used to form the basis of a full lesson, as short, stopgap activities, or as a gateway to developing issues in S.P.H.E. or across the broader range of intercultural education. The workshops are designed for third to sixth class. They link brilliantly to English language and S.P.H.E. and treat some quite sophisticated concepts in a very child-friendly way. I used the `Rights and Responsibilities` workshop with my class of 30 seven and eight year olds. Cards are given out with jigsaw
shaped pieces. These have children’s rights written on them, such as ‘We all have the right to play`. The pupils must, in their groups, and using their own skill and judgement, find the corresponding responsibility to match this right. This workshop involved a lot of discussion, exchange of ideas, and even some arguments, but gave the children a very clear view of their rights and how they must make clear choices for these rights to be actualised. Another workshop involves learning where food comes from. There is an element of competition in this game that was particularly enjoyed by the boys in my class. On testing their recall three days later, on where items such as coffee and sugar cane came from, they had almost 100% accuracy. It also encouraged them to look more closely at food packets for country of origin information. Joanne Parkes who wrote this pack is particularly gifted in the area of teaching drama and she has brought this skill in abundance to this resource. It is obvious that all games and activities have been used and reused to great effect with English as an additional language (EAL) and mainstream pupils. They are
eminently practical, fun, and there is no preparation involved. What teacher doesn`t love to hear that? All support materials are at the back of the pack and can be photocopied. There are lists of other resources, websites, and organisations with every activity. It is a compact, comprehensive and creative resource and will be welcomed by language support teachers, who are often seriously short of accessible materials. It`s all here! The pack itself is spiral-bound, printed on good-quality card, fully recyclable, biodegradeable, and uses chlorine free paper. It is priced at 25 euro and, to my mind, is worth every cent. This resource pack was written by Joanna Parkes and produced by Health Promotion – HSE West, Donegal. Contact Anne McAteer on 074 91 78539 or anne.mcateer@ hse.ie for more information.
Have you ever used cartoons as a resource for Dev Ed? Each issue we feature a cartoon you can cut out and adapt for your particular needs. Why not build up your toolkit? For a great introduction and insight into ideas and activities for using cartoons in education go to www.developmenteducation.ie/cartoons
Cartoon courtesy of 80.20
Cartoon by Dr. Martyn Turner: Courtesy of 80:20, www.8020.ie
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INDEX is a free newsletter for people interested in educating on global development issues. To subscribe to INDEX visit our INDEX page at www.comhlamh.org/media-publications To join Comhlámh go to www.comhlamh.org/get-involved-join-us.html
Design: www.alicefitzgerald.com Printed on recycled paper
INDEX is a Comhlámh publication for the Development Education sector, funded by Comhlámh, Trócaire, and Irish Aid Honorary Patron, Mary Robinson. © Comhlámh, 2009 Comhlámh, 2nd Floor, Ballast House, Aston Quay, Dublin 2.
The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of Irish Aid.
Comhlámh is a signatory to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages (http://www.dochas.ie).