'The Necessity of Advocacy’ is the topic for a panel discussion hosted by The Irish Centre for Human Rights and the School of Law at NUI Galway on Wednesday, 24 October.
The special guest will be Dr Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), and the first female President of Ireland (1990-1997).
Professor Siobhán Mullally (NUI Galway) will make the opening remarks. The event will be chaired by Judge Tony O’Connor (High Court).
Guest panellists include Dr Gearóid Ó Cuinn and Gerry Liston (Global Legal Action Network), Dr Maeve O’Rourke (Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Justice for Magdalenes), Professor Donncha O’Connell (NUI Galway, and the Law Reform Commission), and Prof Niamh O’Reilly (NUI Galway).
Prof Siobhán Mullally says: “2018 marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement.
Threat
“Today we see human rights, and the institutions that grew from these human rights movements, under threat in many parts of the world.
“At a critical and often troubling time for human rights globally and in Europe, it is essential that, as lawyers, we continue to advocate for human rights, and to reflect on the urgency and necessity of advocacy,” she said.
The event is being held in tandem with the launch of new programmes in law (BCL) and human rights, and an LLM in International Migration and Refugee Law at NUI Galway.
Head of the School of Law Galway, Dr Charles O’Mahony, says: “Next year marks the 170th year of teaching law at NUI Galway. We are delighted that, in our 170th year, we will have our first intake of law (BCL) and human rights students.
“This is a unique undergraduate programme combining a full law degree with the study of human rights law.
“We have made significant changes to our undergraduate programmes, meaning that all students will undertake a year-long professional work placement or study abroad in year three of their degree,” he said.
The panel discussion with Dr Mary Robinson will take place in the large lecture theatre of the Human Biology Building, NUI Galway, on Wednesday, 24 October, from 6pm to 8.30pm.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration in advance is essential, at: www.conference.ie.