The conference brought together INEW members, partners, and professionals for a day of learning, dialogue, and collaboration. At a time when 273 million children remain out of school with a projected decline in international aid to education risking that this number will rise to 278 million, this conference in Ireland will provide a space to share lessons learned, explore innovative solutions, strengthen networks, and highlight the importance of education in development and humanitarian contexts as well as broader global education priorities.
Date: Tuesday, 28 April 2026
Time: Registration from 10:00 | 10:30–17:00 (lunch provided)
Venue: Royal College of Physicians, 6 Kildare Street, Dublin
Register: We’re now fully booked! For the Waiting List, register here.
The Programme:
We have a child participant at our conference. We welcome and encourage this practice to ensure that children can practice their right to be heard and to participate in decision-making.
We want to ensure that the conference is a safe, friendly and empowering space for children and adults alike. To this end:
- We encourage all speakers and participants to use non-technical language as much as possible and actively listen to each other.
- We treat each with respect.
- We ask everyone not to take or share pictures of the children without their prior consent.
- We also remind you that it is our shared responsibility to keep children free from any harm.
- The safeguarding focal point is Ponke Danker and their contact is [email protected] or 004917631707677.
10:00am – 10:30am Registrations and Refreshments
10:30am – 10:50am Opening Remarks
- Ponke Danker (INEW Coordinator)
- Amy Folan (INEW Chairperson, Concern Worldwide)
- Refat Sabbah (President of the Global Campaign for Education (GCE))
10:50am – 11:10am Keynote Address
- David Donoghue:A former senior diplomat, David brings a wealth of experience, having served as Director General of Irish Aid and as Ambassador to Russia, Austria, Germany, and the UN in New York. He co-chaired the UN negotiations 2014-2015 which led to the Sustainable Development Goals and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He has worked across many areas, including the Northern Ireland peace process and migration and refugee policy.
(Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond who initially had intended to give a keynote speech, unfortunately, has to travel spontaneously.)
11:10am – 11:20am Special Look at the 2026 GEM Report – Preview of the Ireland Launch in September
- Introduction: Orla Duke (Misean Cara)
- Anna d’Addio (GEM Report UNESCO) – virtual
11:20am – 11:40am Tea Break
11:40am – 1:00pm Panel: The Future of Financing Education
- Moderator: Feargal O’Connell (CEO of Plan International Ireland)
- Laura Frigenti (CEO of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE))
- Tyler Arnot (Street Child International, INGO representative to Education Cannot Wait (ECW)’s Executive Committee)
- Karol Balfe (CEO of ActionAid Ireland, TaxEd Alliance)
- Crispin Williams (Right to Play,Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and the European and North American Campaign for Education (ENACE))
In the context of the Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) 2026, the panel will address pressing issues in education financing, including the replenishments of the two global funds for education – GPE and ECW, GCE’s campaigns on education financing, and the TaxEd Alliance’s advocacy for sustainable and progressive domestic financing of public education.
1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch Break
2:00pm – 3:30pm Interactive Session: Education in Emergencies
- Keynote Speaker: Tyler Arnot (Street Child International, INGO representative to Education Cannot Wait (ECW)’s Executive Committee)
- Contributions from INEW members, Concern Worldwide, World Vision Ireland and Save the Children
At a time when ODA and education financing are facing significant cuts, the EU is negotiating its next budget, and the education sector receives less than 3% of humanitarian aid globally, this interactive session will introduce education in emergencies, present the work of INEW’s members, and engage participants in drawing out key lessons learned.
3:30pm – 3:50pm Tea Break
3:50pm – 4:50pm Panel: The Power of Multilateralism in Advancing Education
- Moderator:Amy Folan (INEW Chairperson, Concern Worldwide)
- Jane Ann McKenna, (CEO of Dóchas)
- Prof Dr Mathias Urban (DCU Early Childhood Research Centre (ECRC)
- Sarah (Child Rights Connect Child Advisory Team)
- Laetitia Nouaha (Youth Advisory Panel Plan International Ireland)
This panel will explore diverse experiences of advancing education through multilateral processes, bringing together perspectives from academia, youth advocates, and NGOs. Focusing on insights into effective advocacy and policy, it will address different topics and forums, including the development of the Fourth Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on free education, the Irish EU Presidency, and the World Social Summit.
4:50pm – 5:00pm Closing Remarks
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