Her Excellency, Mary Robinson, joined us in London at the London Irish Business Society to reflect on the lessons that her life and career have presented to her about climate change and the importance of becoming a sustainable environment.
The Institute of Irish Studies was delighted to join with the London Irish Business Society (LIBS) to organise a public talk and discussion with former Irish President, Her Excellency, Mary Robinson at One Wimpole in London, on Tuesday 13 February 2018.
Mary Robinson’s speech on Climate Change and Climate Justice resulted in a lively debate with the audience of over 300 members of LIBS and Friends of The Institute of Irish Studies. Professor Peter Shirlow (Director, The Institute of Irish Studies) and Karl Duffy (LIBS Chairman) welcomed guests to the public lecture before Ian Kearney (LIBS board member) interviewed Mrs Robinson to start the Q&A session. The talk was the second time Mary Robinson spoke at an Institute of Irish Studies event in the past two years. She delivered the 10th John Kennedy Lecture in Irish Studies at the Institute in Liverpool in 2016.
Mary Robinson was elected as the 7th and first female President of Ireland in 1990. In 1997 she joined the U.N. spending five years as High Commissioner for Human Rights. Since departing the role in 2002, Mary Robinson has been appointed a special envoy on Climate Change representing the U.N. at numerous global summits. Most recently, Mary Robinson has set up her own foundation advocating ‘Climate Justice’ for the poorest and most vulnerable peoples of the world.
Podcast of Mary's talk
The London Irish Business Society (LIBS) is a not-for-profit organisation aimed at providing a forum for business professionals with the UK and Irish interest to network and share ideas. Established in 2009, the society has grown to a current membership base of over 5,000 people in London from the financial, legal, property and professional services industries. LIBS host a series of events throughout the year, typically centred international topics with an Irish twist, and with a focus on the social, economic and political aspects.