Past Compass Events

In the 05-06 period, Compass organised a number of in-service training workshops targeted both at development educators and interested teachers which aimed to tackle topical issues relating to current challenges e.g Teaching about natural disasters, Diversity in the classroom and arts curriculum, Education for sustainable development etc.

In December the seminar ‘What Development Education can do for the DESD' brought together a variety of organisations and individuals interested in pursuing the incorporation of ESD principles into the primary education system. The success of this event was consolidated by the large and diverse turnout, which included speakers and representatives from the Dept of Education; Dept of Foreign Affairs; Dept of the Environment; Environmental education NGOs and Government appointed bodies eg. Comhar, An Taisce, ENFO; reps from national Training Colleges and universities; in addition to primary educators. Some examples of successes and good practice presented included: the work of An Taisce's Green schools programme; and Ireland's first organic school Carnaun NS in Co. Galway who demonstrated how the ideals and attitudes of sustainable education and living can be truly brought alive in a positive and curriculum-relevant way.

Good practice intercultural approaches to arts education in the primary curriculum were highlighted by the co-ordinated contribution of at least 8 arts facilitators and anti-racism/intercultural educators as part of the Diversity in the Arts series of workshops, which ran from February to April. Judging by the participation and testimonies, this series boosted the capacity of at least 20 primary educators faced with the daily challenge of minimal support and resources, particularly in regard to ICE.

A number of regional events were also held during the year. These included a workshop at the Educate Together AGM in Kildare in May - on ‘Education for Sustainable Development and Futures Education' and a session on ‘Teaching about Natural Disasters', held in Waterford One World Centre, as part of the centre's August in-service summer course (repeated in Comhlámh, Dublin in September).