Susana Núñez, Second-level Education Officer, Educate Together
Many schools in the Educate Together network engage in charity and fundraising activities as part of their commitment to social justice activism. It is essential that these initiatives align with the Educate Together ethos and schools must carefully consider the ethical implications of any charity partnership or fundraising activity.
Recommendations for Ethical Fundraising:
- Schools are encouraged to involve students in discussions around the ethical considerations of any actions undertaken, helping develop critical thinking skills.
- When partnering with charities, ensure they align with Educate Together values, especially when it comes to religious affiliations or proselytisation. For example, some Christmas shoebox appeals are linked to evangelical Christian groups, which do not align with the Educate Together ethos.
- Fundraising initiatives like ‘Cash for Clothes’ need thoughtful evaluation. These operations may send clothes to developing countries for resale, divert donations from local charity shops, and increase carbon footprints due to shipping.
Framework:
This guidance aligns with Statement 1(b) of the Quality Framework for Ethos in Educate Together Schools:
The school management establishes and maintains a very positive and very inclusive school climate, where all members of the school community are welcomed, where rights are respected and actively promoted, and where members feel safe (physically, emotionally, socially). All members of the school community are responsible for contributing to a positive school climate. All members of the school community are addressed by their first name.
For more resources on ethical considerations and best practices, visit the Online Ethos Guidance Platform, which supports schools in implementing these principles effectively.
Relevant Links:
Is your school involved in social justice activism?
We’d love to hear about the amazing work you’re doing! Share your story with us, and we might feature it in an upcoming edition of our newsletter: info@educatetogether.ie.
