Sir, - I welcome the opportunity afforded by Aine Ni Chonaill's letter of May 31st to clarify the role of the National Committee for Development Education (NCDE), established under the auspices of Ireland Aid and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Development education plays a critical role in increasing awareness of development issues and ensuring public ownership of development co-operation (incorporating both official Ireland Aid and other actors in development co-operation), thereby engendering a greater sense of global responsibility and solidarity with people of the developing world.
One of the important ways in which that NCDE carries out its mandate is through the management and administration of a grants scheme. In 2000 NCDE disbursed funding totalling £917,748 to over 100 organisations for their development education work both in the formal and non-formal education sectors. The issue of asylum-seekers and refugees is only one of the many development issues that organisations address in their education work.
Making global issues relevant locally and putting local or community issues into a global context is a core principle of development education. Development education can help increase understanding and promote attitudes of tolerance and acceptance by providing insights into the wider context of issues such as asylum-seekers and refugees. Given the continuing trend towards a more multicultural Ireland, the integration of the principles of development education in the formal and nonformal education sectors is a priority for creating a more tolerant, welcoming and equitable society.
The Immigration Control Platform is correct in saying it is the brief of the NCCRI to promote anti-racism. NCDE works in co-operation with National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, but has a different and distinct mandate - ensuring that the wider global development context is brought to bear on the issues and that our funding policies reflect this approach.
The Government and the Department of Foreign Affairs are to be complimented for their funding and support of development education, as are organisations such as Comhlamh that carry out the work. - Yours, etc.,
Mair Ead Foley, Chairperson, NCDE, South Cumberland Street, Dublin 2.