Joe Murray has recently stepped down as Director of the Irish NGO Action from Ireland (AFRI), having worked in the international development sector in Ireland since the 1980s.  He reflects on his career as an educator, activist and campaigner for social justice, peace and sustainability.  In a dangerous period of military escalation around the world, Joe calls for demilitarisation and cautions against Ireland’s deepening involvement in the arms trade.  He also calls for the development education sector in Ireland to more directly engage with the crises impacting our world at present and to keep their practice ‘real’.