Education is a fundamental human right and the cornerstone of progress in every society. Despite efforts and progress made, education remains in crisis worldwide due to conflicts, climate shocks, and underfunding. According to UNESCO data, worldwide over 250 million children remain out-of-school and 224 million school-aged children are affected by crisis of which only 11% achieve basics skills. Progress on SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, has been too slow.
Pivotal to the development of Irish society and widely regarded as a top priority by both the government and citizens, education serves as a catalyst for achieving all SDGs. As highlighted in Irish Aid’s Annual Reports 2018 and 2022, education remains central to Ireland’s global development efforts.
Building on this, civil society actors and education stakeholders in Ireland came together to form the Irish Network for Education Worldwide, formerly known as the Irish Forum for Global Education, with a vision of a world where everyone realises their right to inclusive, equitable, and safe quality education.
With the support of our members, partners, and donors, especially Irish Aid, we have grown into a collaborative network that promotes education as a fundamental human right. We advance knowledge, advocate for and influence political discussions and policy dialogues on education issues worldwide, and are committed to reaching those furthest behind.