International Co-operation Unit

The International Section manages the department’s engagement with international partners, including the European Union, Council of Europe, OECD and UNESCO, to enhance international policy co-operation in education and training. It also has responsibility for policy development and co-ordination in the promotion of Ireland as a centre for international education.

The North/South Co-operation Section co-ordinates and develops co-operation and common action in education between both parts of the island of Ireland and with relevant institutions in the US and EU, in the context of the Good Friday Agreement.

The principal function of the North/South Co-operation Section is to take forward this co-operation through the North/South Ministerial Council: For further information please visit www.northsouthministerialcouncil.org

International Co-operation Unit:

• develop policy and co-ordinate the promotion of Ireland as a centre of excellence for international students, including developing links with key partner countries
• promote the European dimension in education and contribute to the improvement of the quality of education by promoting participation in EU funded education programmes
• monitor the implementation of EU funding programmes by the national agencies involved
• ensure the exchange of information on the education systems of the EU and other countries through study visits and foreign delegation visits to Ireland and programmes such as Eurydice
• manage a number of exchanges and scholarships available to Irish and international students
• co-ordinate Ireland’s national approach to UNESCO
• administer the secondment arrangements for Irish teachers to work in European schools
• ensure effective co-ordination with international education activities in the OECD and Council of Europe.

North/South Co-operation Unit:

• liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the North South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat and the Department of Education Northern Ireland to organise and manage meetings of the North South Ministerial Council
• liaise with the Department of Education and the Department of Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland regarding educational matters of common interest.
• develop co-operation initiatives between the USA and Ireland, North and South, including the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme and Washington Ireland Programme. For further information on the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme please visit www.us-irelandalliance.org
• provide funding to a range of North/South educational programmes.

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