National Conference and Seminar Presentations
Paul Downes' Keynote Presentation at the EPIC - Empowering People in Care – Webinar on February 16th 2021. The presentation is entitled The Holistic Educational Needs of Children and Young People in Care: Placing an Invisible Issue on the National Policy Agenda.
DÚN DEALGAN SCHOOL COMPLETION PROGRAMME SEMINAR
Dr Paul Downes was a keynote speaker at the Suspensions and Exclusions in Primary School; Developing an Action Plan seminar for the Dún Dealgan School Completion Programme, and Louth Children & Young People’s Services Committee on November 24th 2020. Download the file here:
Suspensions and Expulsions: Key Issues to Address this System Failure in Ireland
INVITED PRESENTATION TO MINISTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFFAIRS, KATHERINE ZAPPONE, SENIOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS OFFICIALS & SENIOR TUSLA (NATIONAL CHILD AND FAMILY AGENCY) OFFICIALS. FARMLEIGH, THE OFFICIAL IRISH STATE GUEST HOUSE, JAN 29, 2018.
Dr Downes' presentation, School Completion Programme Strategy before Structures: What is the Strategic Vision for SCP can be accessed HERE
INVITED PRESENTATION AT DUBLIN CITY SOUTH AREA CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS' SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 14TH 2018 Dr Downes' presentation, Harnessing the Multidimensional Strengths of Interagency Working across Education, Health and Social Sectors: Key Issues to considered can be accessed HERE
INVITED PRESENTATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AFFAIRS’ NATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 22nd 2017 Dr Downes' presentation Better Outcomes Brighter Futures and the National Education Welfare Service: The Strategic Drift Regarding Poverty and Social Inclusion, including Emotional Counselling Supports can be accessed HERE
DCU LAUNCH OF REPORT ON INCLUSIVE SYSTEMS PUBLISHED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION – Access PowerPoint Presentation here
Professor Erna Nairz-Wirth, Education Sciences Group, Vienna University of Economics and Business
Educational Disadvantage Centre, 20th September 2017
STRUCTURAL INDICATORS BASED SELF-REFLECTION TOOL FOR POLICY MAKERS TO TACKLE EARLY LEAVING FROM VET - Access PowerPoint Presentation here
Dr. Irene Psifidou, Expert Learning and employability, CEDEFOP
Educational Disadvantage Centre, DCU, 20th September 2017
ROUNDTABLE ON A 'ONE STOP SHOP' COMBINING COMMUNITY BASED MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS WITH COMMUNITY LIFELONG LEARNING CENTRES - Access PowerPoint Presentation here
Dr. Irene Psifidou, Expert Learning and employability, CEDEFOP
Educational Disadvantage Centre, DCU, 20th September 2017
ROUNDTABLE ON A 'ONE STOP SHOP' COMBINING COMMUNITY BASED MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS WITH COMMUNITY LIFELONG LEARNING CENTRES - Access PowerPoint Presentation here
Dr Paul Downes, Director, Educational Disadvantage Centre, DCU
Dr Siobhán O’Reilly, Executive Director, Familibase, Ballyfermot
Fiona Kearney, Familibase Services and Programme Coordinator, Ballyfermot
Educational Disadvantage Centre, DCU, 20th September 2017
INVITED PRESENTATION TO BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY IRELAND
Dr Paul Downes gave an invited presentation entitled Key strategic and motivational considerations for working with socio-economically excluded groups to the national team of Business in the Community Ireland on June 20th 2017. ACCESS THE PRESENTATION HERE
INVITED PRESENTATION ON NEW DEIS ACTION PLAN
Dr Paul Downes gave an invited presentation on the new DEIS Action Plan for Social Inclusion in Schools, to the INTO Districts 14 & 15 for North Dublin, at the Regency Hotel on March 8th 2017. His presentation was entitled New DEIS Strategy: Strengths, weaknesses, issues for further consideration. ACCESS THE PRESENTATION HERE
INVITED PRESENTATION TO INTO EQUALITY COMMITTEE
Dr Paul Downes gave an invited presentation, Socio-economic discrimination in schools: International and Irish issues, to the INTO Equality Committee in the INTO offices, Parnell Square on January 27th, 2017. ACCESS THE PRESENTATION HERE
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SEMINAR
Dr Paul Downes gave the keynote presentation, Poverty and Social Inclusion in Education in Ireland: What can Volunteers do to Help ? at the St. Vincent de Paul East Region Seminar, "Education: The Way Out of Poverty: What Conferences Can Do to Help“, Clonliffe College on November 5th 2016. Access the presentation here
INTERDEPARTMENTAL GROUP PRESENTATION ON AFTER-SCHOOL SERVICES
Dr Paul Downes gave an invited presentation, ‘School Based Afterschool Services: Key Issues for the InterDepartmental Group to Consider’ to a range of officials from the Irish Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on July 18th 2016 . This InterDepartmental Group is Chaired by Bernie McNally, Assistant Secretary General, Early Years, Education, Youth, Participation and Research Division, Dept. of Children and Youth Affairs. ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
SYMPOSIUM ON CHILD AND YOUTH POVERTY: THE IRISH CONTEXT AND YOUTH WORK'S RESPONSE
Dr. Paul Downes gave an invited presentation, 'Youthwork in a System of Care: Key Challenges for Youthwork in Responding to Poverty and Social Inclusion' at a Symposium on Child and Youth Poverty: The Irish Context and Youth Work's Response organised by Youth Work Ireland and the DCYA Quality Standards Training and Resources Task Group. The Symposium took place at the Youth Work Ireland National Office, Lower Dominick Street, Dublin on December 3rd 2015
The other invited speakers were Maria Corbett, Legal and Policy Director & Deputy Chief Executive, Children’s Rights Alliance and Seamus Boland, CEO Irish Rural Link. ACCESS DR DOWNES' PRESENTATION HERE
BUILDING SCHOOL READINESS IN THE INNER CITY: FIONA COLLINS, PRINCIPAL, ST FRANCIS CBS June 20th 2015
Fiona is the Principal of an inner city school in Dublin. Her interest in empowering young people began with the establishment of one of the first student councils in an Irish primary school. Under her leadership, her school was elected as an Ashoka Changemaker School-part of the first cohort of Changemaker Schools in Ireland. With her dedicated team of teachers and parents, Fiona is committed in exploring ways to promote educational participation, social inclusion and responsive citizenship. Addressing the inequalities faced by young people in marginalised communities lead Fiona to develop an ’empathy based methodology’ programme in her school. This programme has proven to be very successful in enhancing school readiness and building resilience amongst children in primary school.
KEY ISSUES FOR THE INTO SUBMISSION TO THE DEIS REVIEW: BUILDING ON STRENGTHS AND ADDRESSING GAPS FOR DEIS II
Paul Downes gave an invited presentation to teachers and principals from DEIS schools in the Teachers Club, Parnell Square as part of the INTO consultation process for their submission to the DEIS strategy review on May 29th 2015. His presentation was entitled, Key issues for the INTO Submission to the DEIS Review: Building on Strengths and Addressing Gaps for DEIS II. He devised a range of questions for the meeting to consider regarding priority issues for the DEIS review. ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
ACCESS TO EDUCATION IN EUROPE: A FRAMEWORK AND AGENDA FOR SYSTEM CHANGE
Dr Paul Downes gave an invited presentation on ACCESS TO EDUCATION IN EUROPE: A FRAMEWORK AND AGENDA FOR SYSTEM CHANGE for The Joint Networks (Dublin City University, February 13, 2015). The Joint Networks is a collective of national networks of practitioners in higher education that work collaboratively to address common issues in access to, and progression in, higher education for under-represented students. ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
QDOSS - Celebrating Childhood beyond the School Bell: Framing Policy and Practice for Quality Out of School Services
Croke Park, 18th April 2013 ACCESS REPORT HERE
SINN FÉIN EQUALITY CONFERENCE
Dr Paul Downes spoke at the Sinn Féin Equality Conference in Letterkenny on September 2013. His address was entitled, Seven 'Lamps': Key problems and proposed solutions for overcoming inequality in the Irish eduction system ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
MISS SCHOOL, MISS OUT 2012
On 26th March 2012 Dr. Paul Downes was an invited speaker at 'Miss School, Miss Out 2012', the launch of the evaluation of the implementation of the Ballymun School Attendance Community Action Initiative. Other speakers included Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Clare Ryan of the NEWB and Declan Dunne and Colma Nic Lughadha from Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership. Dr. Downes presentation was entitled Connecting strengths of school, family and community and implementation of recommendations of the evaluation report of the initiative. ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
SOCIAL INCLUSION WEST LIMERICK
Paul Downes, guest speaker at a Social Inclusion Information evening for West Limerick primary teachers on the 24th February 2011. His presentation was entitled Edu-Care in DEIS Schools: Integrating Mental Health and Education through a Positive School Climate and External Supports ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SCHOOL COMPLETION OFFICERS
Paul Downes, invited speaker, Regional and National School Completion Officers on the 14th January 2011 on the limits of SMART outcomes and the application of the wider UN Framework of Structural, Process and Outcome Indicators when measuring outcomes in relation to the core elements of school completion. His presentation was entitled Measuring Outcomes in Relation to SCP Core Elements. ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
REGIONAL EDUCATION NETWORK MEETING
Paul Downes, invited speaker at the wider network meeting of the Regional Education Network on November 12th, 2010, an initiative of the Northside Partnership. His presentation was on the merits of a holistic approach to combating educational disadvantage, using the Familiscope model as particular reference. His paper was entitled A Community Based Multidisciplinary Psychological Support Service for the Northside Partnership Area: Building on the Familiscope, Ballyfermot Model of Early Intervention and Prevention ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
DUNDALK INCREDIBLE YEARS PROGRAMME
Paul Downes, invited speaker at a celebration event for the Dundalk Incredible Years Programme which took place in Dundalk Institute of Technology on Wednesday 26th May 2010.
NATIONAL PARENTS ASSOCIATION FOR VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Paul Downes, invited speaker at the 25th Annual Conference of the National Parents' Association for Vocational Schools and Community Colleges, Free Education: At What Price? on March 12th/13th 2010, in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone. His presentation was entitled System level reform at Post Primary: Future steps ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
NEWB CONFERENCE 2010
Paul Downes, invited speaker, NEWB conference, Mapping the Landscape in the Hilton Hotel, Kilmainham on March 23rd 2010. Dr. Downes' presentation was entitled Needs, Policies and Practice for System Level Intervention: Key issues for the next era in moving beyond educational disadvantage ACCESS PRESENSATION HERE
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION
Paul Downes, invited speaker, Ballymun Whitehall Area Partnership's conference Miss School, Miss Out, Missed Opportunities in the Axis Theatre, Ballymun on Monday 30th November 2009. Dr. Downes' presentation Family Involvement in Education in Ballymun, Research Study ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
SIPTU-ASTI SEMINAR
Paul Downes, invited speaker at the SIPTU-ASTI Centenary Seminar on Equality in Education 'Springboard or Trap Door ? Is Our Education System Making Our Children More or Less Equal ?' took place in Liberty Hall on Saturday 28th November 2009. ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
BUSINESS IN THE COMMUNITY
Paul Downes, invited speaker for a meeting of the National Team of the Schools' Business Partnership as part of Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) On Wednesday July 1st, 2009 ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
TRANSITIONS, BALLYMUN
Paul Downes, invited speaker, at Supporting Successful Transitions Seminar, AXIS Theatre, Ballymun. The Jolt in School Climate from Primary to Post Primary: Key Issues and Policy. May 11, 2009 ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
IMPACT
Paul Downes, invited speaker, at Future Directions in Moving Beyond Educational Disadvantage, at Seminar for IMPACT, Equality and Disadvantage in Education , Helix Gallery, Dublin City University (with Fergus Finlay, Barnardos; Dermot Stokes, Youthreach; Jillian Van Turnhout, Children's Rights Alliance) January 29, 2009 ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
COMBAT POVERTY AGENCY CONFERENCE 2008
Paul Downes, invited speaker, No mental health strategy for contexts of educational disadvantage: A key barrier to progress at Combat Poverty Agency Conference, Overcoming Barriers to Educational Disadvantage, Croke Park Dublin Conference Centre, June 25, 2008. All conference papers can be accessed here. ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
NORWAY TEACHERS' UNIONS
Presentation on Social Policy and Early School Leaving to Teachers' Union Representatives from Norway, at St. Patrick's College. (Paul Downes) April 24, 2008 ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
PLANET CONFERENCE
Paul Downes, guest speaker, on Beyond Educational Disadvantage, at PLANET National Network of Local Area Partnerships' Conference, Mullingar Park Arms Hotel. March 6, 2008 ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE
LAUNCH OF COUNT US IN
Paul Downes, keynote speaker at conference in the Guinness Hopstore to launch report Count us in: Tackling early school leaving in South West Inner City Dublin, An integrated response (Downes, P & Maunsell, C. 2007) June 28, 2007 ACCESS PRESENTATION HERE