Global
Teacher
Has awareness of global interconnectivity of people and interdependence of nations ever been more relevant?
Self Help Africa is an Irish, international development organisation with an aim to eradicate poverty in Africa through empowerment of small-scale farmers. Our education team in Ireland are here to facilitate your students to become conscious global citizens by supporting you to integrate global justice and sustainability into your subject’s curriculum delivery.
Read our latest Global Schools Newsletter here
Our programme can facilitate online 'virtual' classroom delivery and in-person workshops. Contact us on [email protected] with any queries.

Our Workshops
Our team can facilitate interactive workshops for your students on a of range topics that reflect our programmes in Africa. Workshops are best delivered across a 60-90 minute session for up to 3 consecutive weeks where feasible, to allow for a meaningful exploration of topics, and best alignment with your curriculum objectives.
To book workshops, contact [email protected]
Available workshops include:

THE GLOBAL GOALS
SDG 10, SDG 17
What can Irish students do to create a fairer world by 2030 in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
Geography * Business Studies * Biology * Economics * Politics & Society * Religious Education

CLIMATE ACTION
SDG 7, SDG 13
Learn about contributors to climate change in Ireland, the varying impact it has in different parts of the world, and the benefit of planting trees.
Geography * Science * Biology * Agricultural Science * Politics & Society

FOOD SECURITY
SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 6
Modern food production is contributing to climate change, which has come to threaten food security. How do we make our food systems fit for purpose?
Economics * Agricultural Science * Home Economics * Politics & Society * Religious Education *

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
SDG 2, SDG 14, SDG 15
Considering the supply chain of food, explore alternatives to how we feed ourselves in Ireland and the practices of rural farming families in Africa.
Agricultural Science * Geography * Biology * Economics *

ETHICAL FASHION
SDG5, SDG6, SDG12
The clothing supply chain is complex and features environmental and human rights abuses throughout - what is the true cost of our clothes?
Business Studies * Economics * History * Art * Home Economics * Politics & Society

GENDER EQUALITY
SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 10
Inequality of opportunity between genders exists in every country. How can we play our part to improve outcomes in Ireland and around the world?
English * History * Business Studies * Economics * Politics * Religious Education

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
SDG 4, SDG 9
How reputable are your online sources? Learn how to be safe online and how we can use the internet and social media to be digital citizens for change.
English * History * Business Studies * Economics * Politics & Society * Religious Education

TRADE JUSTICE
SDG1, SDG8
International trade is the norm, but are the rules fair and does everyone benefit? Students can act as part of the solution towards global equality.
Business Studies * Economics * History * Geography * English * Politics & Society
Themes underpinning our workshops suit the required delivery of Wellbeing hours throughout the year and also any Green School or social entrepreneur programmes.
Our Resources
Resources for students and teachers to explore global issues can be downloaded below, and we provide virtual and photo exhibitions for display in your school.
Distance Learning
To address challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, we adapted our content to meet changing needs and produced a series of Distance Learning resources. They include content suitable for student-led activities or teacher-led activities in a classroom setting. Each topic has an equivalent workshop that can be facilitated by our team.
Teacher Toolkits
Our Teacher Toolkit pack was developed from workshops we have been delivering in schools throughout Ireland and addresses challenges faced by teachers wishing to explore connections to global issues in their classrooms. Our guidelines incorporate the active learning process, making connections between local and global, and taking action. |
Exhibitions
Our exhibitions explore climate change, gender equality and trade justice from the point of view of the communities we work with in Africa. They are available for display at your school with connected workshops and quizzes, and our virtual exhibitions can be viewed below. |

Women on the Frontline of Climate Change
Africa’s women farmers are locked in a struggle to provide for their families in the face of drier, hotter and more unpredictable weather conditions.

Levelling the Field
Women in Africa are the engine of agriculture, working on small-scale farmers that support a majority of the continent’s people.

What Is It?
Can you guess what these mysterious images are? Interact with a series of photos to find out.

Two Villages
For four years, Self Help Africa visited the villages of Nsunda and Malela in Northern Zambia and followed the lives of its people.
Science for Development
We exhibit at the BT Young Scientist each year for students and teachers and present the ‘Science for Development’ Award sponsored by Irish Aid.
You can visit our stall at the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition to find out more about our programmes in Africa, and our Development Education programme in Ireland. You can also learn about the ‘Science for Development’ award, a Special Award of the BTYSTE sponsored by Irish Aid. Throughout the year, we can help with advice on project ideas or research with a focus on climate, social and sustainability issues.

Science for Development
Self Help Africa runs the 'Science for Development' award at the BT Young Scientists event, in collaboration with Irish Aid.

Science for Development showcase 2023
The annual ‘Science for Development’ project showcase was hosted by Irish Aid in Iveagh House in March 2023.
School Study Visit
Since 2003, Self Help Africa have hosted annual trips as an opportunity for students and teachers to visit one of our programme countries in Africa.
We organise a week-long visit each year during the February midterm break for students and teachers from Irish secondary schools to experientially learn of the challenges affecting rural African communities including climate change, gender equality, issues around trade and sustainable food production.
While in country, the group will visit a local school, a university, and meet with communities and groups supported by Self Help Africa’s programmes. Students are encouraged to share what they have learned with their peers and communities when they return home.
You can read more about a recent study visit here. For more information, contact [email protected].
Read about our trip to malawi
Further Resources
For more information on Development Education and Global Citizenship, or additional resources to use in your classroom, we recommend visiting the external websites listed below.

Irish Aid
Read Irish Aid’s Development Education Strategy Plan, and learn about funding aims to increase awareness and understanding of global development issues among the Irish public.

Development Education
An online resource focused on inequalities and injustices, suitable for primary and post-primary teachers, youth workers, students, and adult and community workers.

World Wise Global Schools
Ireland’s Global Citizenship Education programme for post-primary schools, offering grant funding, resources including subject specific guides, teacher CPD and the Global Passport Award.

Scoilnet
The Department of Education and Skills official portal for Irish education supporting primary and post-primary teachers in sharing and finding useful resources for the classroom.