The Minister of State, Ms Liz O'Donnell TD, launches "Wananchi", a Development Education Resource for CSPE Students
The Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, with Special Responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights, Liz O'Donnell T.D., today launched an important new resource focussing on the issues of development, interdependence and the Government's official development assistance programme, Ireland Aid for second level schools entitled "Wananchi".
Speaking at the launch Minister O'Donnell said
"Wananchi" is the Swahili word for ‘the people' or ‘citizen'. It encapsulates what this publication is all about - communicating to pupils and teachers, the very real problem which face the people of developing countries".
"This publication points to the interdependence between poor and rich countries. The September 11th atrocities have brought this issue of global interdependence to the fore. We ignore far off grievances at our peril. In Afghanistan, the Middle East, Africa and many other parts of the world, poverty, deprivation and injustice feed despair and create fertile conditions for the growth of terrorist violence and conflicts which affect us all. It is now more important than ever before that the developed world addresses these inequalities and plan for a more just world.
"It is my hope that this resource for Junior Certificate students, along with the photo pack, will enhance the understanding which young people have of the world beyond our shores. Young people have an innate openness to, and interest in the new and the unexplored. They also have a strong sense of natural justice. This will challenge students to ponder these issues, to question, to discuss and to debate. In other words to be active citizens of Ireland and the world".
"I want all our citizens to be aware of, and indeed active owners of, their Overseas Aid programme, Ireland Aid, which is funded entirely from public funds. To this end we are planning a new outreach to the Irish public as part of the Review of the Programme. ‘Wananchi' is one such outreach".
Note for Editors:
This production has involved the close collaboration of students, teachers, development educators and Ireland Aid. The Department of Education and Science also played an active and constructive part in the process of developing this resource.
The subject for which this resource is particularly focussed is Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE). CSPE is a course for Junior Certificate students which aims to develop an understanding and appreciation of the central concepts of citizenship. It aims to prepare students for active participatory citizenship. There are four units covered within the subject, one of these is titled "Ireland and the world". Two important concepts are studied in relation to Ireland and the world, these are Development and Interdependence. This resource explores both of these concepts.
