Development education promotes understanding of the links between individuals and communities and the wider world around them.  It encourages critical examination of global issues, such as international development and climate change, and awareness of the impact that individuals can have on these. 

The Development Education Association (DEA) recognises eight aspects of global learning:

• Global citizenship
• Interdependence
• Social justice
• Conflict resolution
• Diversity
• Values and perceptions
• Human rights
• Sustainable development

DiA focuses on promoting global citizenship.

"Development education is an active learning process, founded on values of solidarity, equality, inclusion and co-operation. It enables people to move from basic awareness of international development priorities and sustainable human development, through understanding of the causes and effects of global issues to personal involvement and informed actions.

Development education fosters the full participation of all citizens in world-wide poverty eradication, and the fight against exclusion. It seeks to influence more just and sustainable economic, social, environmental, human rights based national and international policies."