Community Work Ireland

Established in 1981 Community Work Ireland is the leading national organisation that promotes and supports community work/community development as a means of addressing poverty, social exclusion and inequality and promoting human rights. CWI is a membership organisation comprising over 800 individuals and organisations who support community work/community development and work in the most disadvantaged communities throughout Ireland. For over 35 years, Community Work Ireland has played an important role in advancing policy and programmes that meet the real and pressing needs of disadvantaged communities throughout Ireland seeking to ensure the meaningful participation of communities in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Nationally, CWI participates as an active member of the Community Platform and through the Platform in the Community and Voluntary Pillar. Internationally, CWI is the Irish representative on the European Community Development Network and the International Association for Community Development. CWI is a member of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, the European Network against Racism Ireland, the Refugee and Migrant Coalition, the Coalition to Repeal the 8th Amendment and the Women’s Human Rights Alliance.

CWI is involved in a range of activities which give voice to the experiences of our members and of communities experiencing poverty and disadvantage throughout the country. We provide information and support to a diversity of groups and organisations across Ireland on core relevant issues. We hold regular consultations with our members and other stakeholders. We hold seminars, roundtables and high-level conferences, promote professional community development standards, undertake research, develop policy positions and engage with policy and decision makers, with the aim of promoting and advancing community development as a key approach to addressing poverty inequality and discrimination and advancing human rights.

For more information visit our website at http://communityworkireland.ie/

International Association for Community Development

The International Association for Community Development (IACD) was established in the United States in 1953 and is the only global network for professional community development practitioners. IACD supports development agencies and practitioners to build the capacity of communities to realise greater social and economic equality, environmental protection and political democracy. IACD is a non-governmental organisation accredited with the UN serving a global network of members active in the field of community development. Members in more than 70 countries include practitioners, educators, researchers, students, policy analysts and organisations.

The key priorities for IACD are; to advocate for the discipline and the methods of community development; to support and engage with members and the discipline by promoting and providing quality international practice exchanges, conferences, continuing professional development support, website resources, publications, research and policy analysis and commentary and to promote regional and country fora and support frameworks for community development practitioners (community workers, managers, academics and students) around the world.

For more information visit our website at http://www.iacdglobal.org/

Department of Applied Social Studies Maynooth University

In 1981, Maynooth was the first university in the Republic of Ireland to offer professional programmes in community work and youth work. Since then the Department of Applied Social Studies has earned an unrivalled reputation for teaching, research and development in these areas evidenced in the leading role the Department’s staff has played in achieving the establishment of professional endorsement of both community work and youth work on an all-Ireland basis.

Professional programmes are offered at under-graduate (BACYW) and post-graduate (MACYW) level, as well as a post-qualifying MA in Applied Social Studies (MAASS). The Department established Social Policy as a subject in Maynooth University and now offers both a BSocSc (Hons) degree, and since 2011 a Masters in Social Policy (Rights and Social Policy). Since 2012 the Department has offered a four-year Doctorate in Social Science (DSocSc). The Department is home to both the Centre for Youth Research and Development and the Centre for Rights, Recognition and Redistribution.

In addition, the Department partners with a variety of organisations to provide specific NUI Certificate programmes, including youth work, community work, youth justice and youth arts in a variety of locations around the country.

For more information visit our website at https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/applied-social-studies