International Development is an important vehicle for just transformation in our world. The Centre for Global Development is the new form of the former MU Department of International Development. We have now merged with the MU Department of Anthropology, offering programmes at undergraduate level as a stream within arts (MH101), and postgraduate diploma and masters levels. International Development is concerned with the development of people all over the world. Offering development studies at Maynooth University at undergraduate level since 2013 in collaboration with the former Kimmage Development Studies Centre, (providers of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Development Studies since 1974), we are now under the auspices of the Department of Anthropology, located in Rowan House. As one of the top 100 Young Universities in the world, Maynooth University offers unique opportunities for critical learning for global change. Our work at the Centre for Global Development is underpinned by a commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equality and justice. Focusing on local and global development issues, we support skills development and critical engagement at personal, local, national and international levels. The programmes focus, in particular, on the relationship between the global North and Global South and the opportunities and challenges people face in a rapidly changing international context. International Development highlights local-global connections and how we need to think globally when acting locally. We explore issues such as globalisation, climate change, food security, poverty, human rights, health, education, gender, inequality and empowerment from an international development perspective. Our International Peacebuilding, Security and Development Practice postgrad programme explores the nexus between development, conflict, climate and poverty, among others. Programmes highlight local-global connections, the wide range of socio-economic and political factors creating both development challenges and opportunities nationally and internationally, and they examine the performance of international and national development actors (UN, Governments, NGOs and Civil Society groups) in meeting these challenges, and providing a better world for all. Studying international development and/or peacebuilding, security and development practice prepares people for careers in local and national government, transnational organisations, non-government organisations and activist groups. Our graduates work in community development, global education, development policy, project management and in humanitarian and conflict contexts, and on issues such as human rights, gender, climate action, justice, migration and empowerment.
Author: Taika Fantaye, MA International Development Participant I’ve started a journey of my own critical reflection for social change, a transformation inspired by the seminal work of Freire and Horton titled “We Make the Road by Walking” (1990), a concept I explain back to myself as, “thinking the walk and walking the thought”. I am an … More Which percent are we developing? A thought as you sip
Worldwide, all societies need to question their taken-for-granted cultural practices and how they might uphold established inequalities. We need new cultural practices that value diversity, dignity and respect above tradition. … More From Nostalgia to Controversy: The Evolution of Sinterklaas and the Black Pete Debate in the Netherlands
Author: Dr Eilish Dillon, MU Dept. of International Development. These days, it’s cool to be green. We can go green, vote green, green our technology, our campuses, our energy, our policies and politics, economics and food. Green is everywhere, and we might say, nowhere. A hybrid colour of blue and yellow, it is the colour most … More Beyond Greenwashing – Reflections on National Pride, Identity and Human Rights
Author: Lanna El Hussein, BA Erasmus Student (MU Dept. of International Development) Living between two different values, languages and traditions.Trying to fulfill both cultural expectationsand secretly hoping to feel like I am part of both ethnic groups one dayand hoping to get an answer to the question:“Where do I really belong?” Lanna El Hussein Who … More The Ethnic Identity Crisis of First and Second Generation of Immigrants
Author: Dr Eilish Dillon, MU Dept. of International Development. I’ve been thinking about time a lot these days. It’s just over a month since the attacks on Ukraine started. That month has flown for me but not for so many who have been directly affected by the war or who have been trying to survive. Last … More Time and Crisis Responses: Towards a Long-Term View
Author: Clara Perras MA Erasmus Participant For the first semester of the academic year 2021/2022, I had the pleasure to study at the Maynooth University Department of International Development as an ERASMUS-student from Germany. During that time, I learned a great deal about international development, about unequal international systems and structures and about the transformative … More You live and learn: reflections on the need for a more inclusive and supportive learning environment in development education.
Author: Dr Eilish Dillon, MU Dept. of International Development. I heard something the other day that I hadn’t heard for months, maybe even for two years. As I trekked through the fallen leaves to a lecture theatre for one of my last classes of the year, a magical waft of ‘the 12 days of Christmas’ rose in … More Daring to Hope – Some Reflections at the End of this Second COVID Year
Author: Gareth Conlon Gareth is a graduate of the MU Dept. of International Development and is currently working as part of the team at Síolta Chroí A lot of development education and activism is about fighting against what we don’t want. This is vitally important and essential work. But it is also important to explore what type … More Roots of regeneration…
Author: Michael O’Brien. Michael is a graduate of the MU Dept. of International Development who works as a Policy Advisor with Trócaire. “Transforming Food Systems is Crucial for Delivering all the Sustainable Development Goals”. António guterres, un secretary general, un food systems summit 2021 Four seasons in one day is a common expression used by people … More Can the UN Food Systems Summit drive the necessary transformation or will it reinforce ‘false solutions’ based on unequal power relations?
Author: Eoin Ryan, Maynooth University Postgraduate Listen to the blog and poem here As I write this, it’s been twenty weeks since day one: orientation day. Since then, It has been disorientating and confusing; frustrating and challenging; exhausting and defeating. Usually punctual, organised and social – but this year I’ve struggled; at times, I have … More Covid, College and Coping: You are not alone
MU Centre for Global Development 