Mary Robinson to address Irish Research Council-funded ‘Inclusive Centenaries’ Conference at NUI Galway

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, will give the closing address todayat the Inclusive Centenaries Conference, taking place in NUI Galway. This conference is funded by the Irish Research Council as part of its 1916 Flagship Project awards. It is organised jointly by Dr Niamh Reilly at the Centre for Global Women’s Studies, School of Political Science and Sociology, the School of Law, and the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance at NUI Galway in partnership with The Mary Robinson Centre, Ballina and local partners: Galway County Council, Galway County Council Intercultural Forum, Youth Work Ireland, Galway and Galway City Partnership Intercultural Consortium.

Inclusive Centenaries aims to be a space for reflection on the meaning and significance of the ideals set out in the 1916 Proclamation from the perspective of Ireland’s new communities. The conference also takes as its point of departure the 2015 Report of the Government’s Working Group on reform of protection and asylum processes, including direct provision, with the goal of promoting discussion and implementation of its recommendations. In a spirit of dialogue and celebration of Ireland’s diversity in 2016, Inclusive Centenaries will bring together people living in or transitioning out of direct provision – especially women and young people – as well as members of other migrant and local communities, elected representatives, policy advocates and NUI Galway leaders and decision makers.

Keynote speakers during the day include former Justice Bryan McMahon (Working Group Chairperson) and David Stanton, Minister of State for Justice with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration.