Comhlamh

Comhlámh is the Irish Association of Development Workers.
As a membership organisation, we educate and campaign on global justice issues, with a focus on international volunteering, global trade, and development aid and cooperation. 
Comhlámh was established in 1975, to support returned development workers, who in turn sought to promote effective global development. Since then it has grown into a national membership organisation of RDW's and others interested in global development issues. 

Comhlámh provides free support, advice and guidance for all RDW's; to facilitate their return to Ireland, to deal with reverse culture shock and assist them in settling back in. This support ranges from social to careers guidance, information on tax, pensions, health etc and importantly engaging them in the debates in Ireland on development. 

Comhlámh believes that effective action at tackling the root causes of poverty needs to happen at home. Comhlámh seeks to take the experiences of the RDW and channel it into challenging Irish & EU policies. In recognising the need to raise the level of debate and understanding amongst the public on development issues, Comhlámh actively invites all who are interested in global justice issues to join in its advocacy work and to build their capacity as educators and campaigners.

Comhlámh members have always seen overseas development work as part of a broader commitment to global development and solidarity.

Over the past three decades, Comhlámh members have pursued their objectives through the following ways:
- campaigning for global justice and human rights at home and world-wide; 
- providing opportunities for returned development workers to meet each other, to put their overseas experience in context and to consider issues in returning to Ireland and staying involved in development work; 
- promoting understanding of global issues and cultures of the South through courses, public meetings, the media etc. 

Within these broad areas, Comhlámh's work varies from time to time depending on the priorities and interests of members. Current activity includes campaigning on International Trade and Promoting good practice standards in International Volunteering. Projects include INDEX – information exchange for Development Education Organisations and Compass- Development Education at Primary level.