MOS Costello hosts launch of education resource on the developing world

Minister of State for Trade and Development Joe Costello TD, today highlighted the value of world-class education resources in encouraging the public to engage more fully in the challenges facing the developing world.  Minister Costello was speaking at the launch of the sixth edition of the internationally-acclaimed publication, 80:20 Development in an Unequal World.

Minister Costello said the publication would continue to make an enormous contribution to public understanding of the developing world.  80:20 Development in an Unequal World was launched by former President Mary Robinson, founder of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, at the Irish Aid Centre for Volunteering and Information in Dublin today.  Minister Costello said:

“High quality resources such as this publication are invaluable to assist students and the public in engaging on how best to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, tackle climate change and create a fair and just world for all. 

I believe it’s important that students and the public have an opportunity to deepen their understanding of complex development challenges and the important role that Ireland plays in combating the causes and consequences of global poverty and hunger.

80:20 Development in an Unequal World, since its initial publication, has gained an enormous international reputation for the quality and clarity of its analysis and it is widely-used in Ireland and internationally as an introduction for university students, teachers, youth and adult leaders as well as by NGOs.  It has been consistently supported and part-funded by Irish Aid.”

Minister Costello also announced that a new resource for transition year students, entitled ‘Global Teacher’, will be launched by Irish Aid in the coming months.  The resource will support teachers to explore issues such as hunger, HIV and AIDS, the environment, climate change, gender and governance with their students. 

Last month in Dublin, Minister Costello launched a junior cycle teaching resource called ‘Links in the World – Trade, Globalisation and Development’ on behalf of the Irish Coalition for Global Campaign for Education.  This resource received support from Irish Aid. 

Press Office

4 April 2012