KDSC BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Historical Background to KDSC and Board

Kimmage Development Studies Centre (KDSC) at Kimmage Manor, Dublin traces its existence from 1974 when the Holy Ghost Fathers (now known also as the Congregation of the Holy Spirit or the Spiritans) first offered a programme in development education. The early years of the programme catered mainly for newly ordained members of the congregation and other religious on sabbatical leave - aiming to provide training in cross-cultural skills and approaches and to immerse participants in up-to-date theories in socio-economic disciplines before they embarked upon their first overseas missionary postings, or (in the case of some) returned to their various ministries. There was no other formal programme in development studies at this level in Ireland during that period, and so it soon became a popular programme for non-religious participants too - given the emergence of several new development agencies and the growth in numbers of professional overseas development workers. Gradually it was reshaped into a programme particularly suited to the career needs of this group, including, through the acquisition of academic accreditation in 1980, a place from which recognised qualifications could be obtained.  The Development Studies programme was initially given statutory accreditation in 1980 from the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA), and this has continued to the present day, although the NCEA has been succeeded in its statutory functions by HETAC (Higher Education and Training Awards Council).