Waterford One World Centre has worked extensively in the field of Development Education since 1990.  The Centre has its roots in the Waterford Kitui Partnership, which linked the people of Waterford with the people of Kitui in Kenya through a number of projects in the areas of water, education, medicine etc.  In September 1996, the Centre became independent of the Partnership and established its own structure and management, as the World Development Centre.  In 2003, we changed our name to the Waterford One World Centre.  This name was chosen to reflect the concept of a shared planet and an understanding that true human development must be undertaken with mutual respect and cooperation.

Our vision is of a Centre that is grounded within the local community.  It interacts with others in the community through groups, organisations and contact with individuals.  The Centre draws strength and support from this community and also gives support back through its work.  It helps people to be more outward looking from the enclosed circle of their private lives.  It gives them a sense of their citizenship in the wider world.  It promotes an understanding of what their citizenship involves.  It empowers them to act on the important issues of our time such as justice, human rights and care for the environment.

The Centre is grounded in the local community but interacts with the wider world.  It informs itself and brings this information and understanding to its community.  The Centre has a voice at national and international level by working with like-minded organisations.  It is part of a larger community that promotes Development Education at a global level.

We see Development Education as a way of understanding the complex issues that govern our world.  We see the promotion of Development Education as a means of enabling people to work effectively for change in their lives and in the world as a whole.  The Centre's role is to bring information and understanding to people, particularly young people, and help them to effectively take action to create a more just and balanced world. 

For more information about the Centre, please consult our 2008-2011_strategic_plan.

The Centre is funded by Irish Aid.  In 2008, we also received funding from Trocaire and the Reception and Integration Authority       

 
 The views expressed herein are those of Waterford One World Centre and can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of Irish Aid or any of our other funders.