Changing Ireland
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What can Ireland and Cambodia learn from each other?
More than you might think.
When a group of Cambodian researchers, academics, and agricultural leaders visited Ireland to explore our co-operative movement, they came looking for ideas to strengthen communities back home.
But as Dr Noreen Byrne reflects, learning exchanges are never one-way.
They also encourage us to reflect on our own history, values, and what makes communities thrive.
From the century-old co-operatives of Barryroe and Drinagh in West Cork to Bushy Park Community Farm and Quay Co-op in Cork city, one message stood out:
🤝 People working together can build resilient communities that stand the test of time.
In an era when family farms, local businesses, and community spaces face increasing pressure around the world, these stories remind us that there is another way.
Through co-operation, innovation, and collective action, communities can create local solutions that put people before profit and long-term sustainability before short-term gain.
As the exchange with the Cambodian delegation showed, the challenges may be global—but so too are the ideas and partnerships that can help address them.
💬 What community initiative or co-operative has inspired you? We'd love to hear your story.
📖 Read the full article through the link in our bio or visit:
https://changingireland.ie/cambodian-reflections/
Cork University Business School
Irish Aid
UCC Centre for Co-operative Studies
Issue 13 | Winter 2004/05
What was Ireland talking about 21 years ago?
The answer might surprise you.
The cover of Changing Ireland explored some of the biggest issues shaping communities at the time:
📍 Fear and misunderstanding around refugees and immigration
📍 Racism and belonging in a changing Ireland
📍 Violence against women
📍 Poverty hidden in our communities
📍 Community-led solutions to social exclusion
📍 The power of local people to create change
Many of these stories reflected an Ireland experiencing rapid social change—asking difficult questions about identity, inclusion and equality.
Fast forward to today, and many of those conversations continue.
We still debate migration and integration.
We still work to tackle racism and discrimination.
We still strive for safe communities where everyone belongs.
Looking back through the pages of Changing Ireland reminds us that community development has never just been about responding to today's issues—it's about helping shape tomorrow's Ireland.
As we celebrate 25 years of Changing Ireland, we'll continue revisiting the stories that challenged us, inspired us and sparked conversations that still matter today.
💬 Looking back, which issue do you think Ireland has made the greatest progress on—and which still needs the most attention?
📖 Explore 25 years of community stories at www.changingireland.ie
02/07/2026
This week, dozens of Irish community development workers are in Glasgow for the World Community Development Conference—joining delegates from more than 70 countries to share ideas, build connections, and learn from one another.
For Chloe Ní Mháille of Community Work Ireland, attending the conference is like going to a festival.
💬 "It's kind of like going to a festival with all your favourite musicians."
After years of studying the world's leading community development thinkers, she's now meeting them in person.
Meanwhile, Marie Louise Byrne of Wexford Local Development is representing Ireland with a lightning talk exploring an important question:
What does community development really mean?
Her research examines how community workers in Ireland define their profession—and why it's so important that community development is understood for what it truly is: empowering people to create lasting change in their own communities.
🇮🇪 Ireland has a strong reputation for community development, and this conference is an opportunity not only to learn from others but to showcase Irish experience on the global stage.
Because some of the best ideas for strengthening communities begin by listening, sharing, and learning together.
📖 Read the full article here:
https://changingireland.ie/dozens-of-irish-in-glasgow-for-world-community-development-conference/
💬 If you could bring one idea back to Ireland from anywhere in the world to strengthen communities, what would it be?
Community Work Ireland
29/06/2026
Looking for ways to get involved, stay informed or be inspired this summer?
Our latest What's On round-up highlights opportunities from across Ireland's community and voluntary sector, including:
🌍 A thought-provoking Climate Inspirations Festival talk on the power of communication in climate action.
🏳️🌈 Belong To's Summer Project, offering free events and activities for LGBTQ+ young people throughout July and August.
🎙️ Five new episodes of the No Shame Traveller Youth Mental Health podcast, featuring honest conversations about creativity, education, identity and growing up as a Traveller in Ireland.
Whether you're passionate about community development, climate action, youth work or mental health, there's something here for you.
Read more and find all the event details here:
https://www.changingireland.ie/whats-on-heres-2-events-and-a-podcast-for-you/
Listen to the podcast here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0oSOT7kWJiPJgWhIkCHezN?go=1&sp_cid=47784e8c08dbb991d15dadeede9dadc7&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=f260de09b31e4c23
Which of these would you like to attend or listen to?
25/06/2026
More than 20 years ago, Changing Ireland published an issue that asked a question that still resonates today:
"If your health is your wealth, the poor are very poor."
The issue explored health inequalities, poverty, community development, rural transport, social inclusion and the power of local action. It also highlighted something that remains at the heart of Changing Ireland today: communities are often the first to identify problems and the first to develop solutions.
Looking back through our archives is a reminder that many of today's challenges are not new. But it is also a reminder of the extraordinary work communities have been doing for decades to create change.
What stands out to you when you look back at the issues communities were discussing in 2004?
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