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Established in 1975 as the Irish Association of Development Workers, Comhlámh has since grown into a large member and supporter organisation open to anyone interested in social justice, human rights and global development issues.

Comhlámh is currently Ireland’s largest provider of development education activities. These include training courses, capacity building initiatives, support for in-service and pre-service training for primary school teachers and publications.

A variety of skills-based courses are available, which aim to build the capacity of participants to explore development related issues in an interactive and reflective manner. Places on each course are restricted to ensure quality of learning and positive group dynamics.

Comhlámh also provides specific training courses for people interested in volunteering overseas in a development context. These include pre-decision ‘Options and Issues in Global Development Courses’, Pre-departure courses and Coming Home and Moving Forward Courses. Training courses can be tailored for groups upon request.

Graduate Certificate for Training in Development Education (in partnership with Dublin City University)

This one-year distance learning programme includes three residential weekends combined with tutor-led online components throughout the year. This training for trainers course aims to: Strengthen the knowledge base of participants on global development issues; Build on participants’ facilitation and training skills; Reflect upon and clarify the values base of participants and its impact on their professional practice; Position participants to examine their roles as educators and their function as agents of social change.  

Options and Issues in Global Development

A one-day workshop for people interested in volunteering overseas in a developing country.   This workshop provides a chance for those thinking of working for global development to meet with others and consider the options available. The sessions will cover subjects such as: What is development? What are my motivations for wanting to volunteer? What types of agencies and projects offer volunteer opportunities? The course will be facilitated by a group of returned development workers. Additionally, there will be an opportunity to meet with returned volunteers and development workers. The workshop is participatory and is designed to explore the issues in a way that will encourage action on development issues from a justice and equality perspective.  

Skills in Development Education

This nine week evening course equips participants with the knowledge and tools to engage groups in education on global development, local and global inequality, and social justice issues in a friendly, informal group environment. During the course development issues are raised, however the focus is on participatory methodologies and how to adapt them to any group setting. It will enable participants to work more effectively and creatively with groups when exploring intercultural and development issues.

This course is open to anyone with an interest in educating about development issues including but not limited to community workers, teachers, and those working in group settings.

Campaigns Course

Learn how to raise awareness about local and global development issues. Potential topics include lobbying, media, and creative campaigning. This course is participatory and aims to provide participants with the skills to effectively take action for social justice.  

Global Trade Course

International trade rules have a massive impact on people in developing countries, whether they are farmers, workers or families just trying to make a living in the context of globalisation. Yet the rules of the global economy have been set up to serve the interests of big business, not people’s needs. The five evenings organized by Comhlámh’s Trade Campaign Group introduce you to the world of global trade. The players (the WTO, EU, Ireland, Big business, etc.) and decision making processes, the impacts on people and the environment, the role of Multinational Corporations based in Ireland, the struggles against unfair trade in South America and alternatives to the current global trade system.