Over 180 students from 16 second-level schools across Ireland came together for Educate Together’s annual student-led events, held this year at Limerick Educate Together Secondary School (26th March) and Kishoge Community College, Dublin (10th April).
Centred around the powerful theme “Global Empathy and Solidarity in Action”, the events explored two critical UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
These gatherings celebrated student voice, global citizenship, and collaborative action, bringing together students, teachers, and NGOs to inspire a more just and inclusive world.
Student-Driven & Impact-Focused Events
Designed with input from a Student Advisory Group representing 10 schools, the events featured:
✔ Global Citizenship Fair – Students showcased Ethical Education and Global Citizenship Education (GCE) projects, while engaging with 11 NGOs to learn about real-world advocacy.
✔ Student-Led Workshops – Senior Cycle students facilitated interactive workshops for Junior Cycle peers, fostering peer-to-peer learning.
✔ Inspiring Keynote by Zak Moradi – Author (Life Begins in Leitrim) and intercounty hurler Zak Moradi shared his journey as a Kurdish refugee, touching on justice, identity, and resilience.
✔ Student Media Takeover – A dedicated student media team led Instagram takeovers, capturing highlights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments.
Leaving a Lasting Impact
More than just a celebration, these events sparked reflection and action:
- Students left with new ideas to bring back to their schools and communities.
- Teachers connected and exchanged best practices across the Educate Together network.
- Both groups accessed valuable resources linked to CSPE, Ethical Education, Geography, Politics & Society, Science, and Music.
What Students Said:
“I’ll try to see from others’ perspectives before making decisions.”
“Be more inclusive.”
“I’ll bring these ideas to our next Student Council meeting.”
“After today, I’ve seen how many organisations are helping our planet—I want to join them!”
Many students also cherished the chance to meet peers from other Educate Together schools, share experiences, and form new friendships.
NGO representatives praised the students as “curious, insightful, and eager to learn”, highlighting their high level of engagement.
A Commitment to Global Citizenship
These events are a cornerstone of Educate Together’s Global Citizenship Education programme, proudly supported by WorldWise Global Schools. They reflect our ongoing mission to empower students as compassionate, critical thinkers ready to tackle global and local challenges.
Thank You!
A huge thank you to:
- Limerick Educate Together Secondary School & Kishoge Community College for hosting.
- The NGOs who shared their expertise.
- Every student, teacher, and volunteer who made these events unforgettable.
We can’t wait for next year’s gatherings—stay tuned for more updates!
