Mayo’s global climate community to gather in Ballina

THE Mary Robinson Centre, together with Mayo County Council’s Climate Action Office, will host a Mayo Changemakers event on Monday, May 30.

The event will highlight and bring together Mayo people at home and abroad who are working to protect our planet. It takes place in Ballina Arts Centre and online and will showcase Mayo people in leadership in local and global communities, and those who are trailblazers in research and innovation, developing solutions for the climate and biodiversity crisis.

It is hoped that this will be the first of many opportunities to bring this network together, building on Mayo’s impressive track record of global diaspora engagement.

The event includes a host of guest speakers such as Mark Mellett, Vice Admiral (Rtd) and Principal of Green Compass, Alan Mee of the World Mosquito Programme, Dr. David Connolly, former CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, Celine Reilly, Director of Vita International and former Executive Manager at Dublin City Council, Sean Carolan of Mulranny Decarbonising Community and Kevin Loftus of Accelerating Change Together, with additional speakers to be confirmed.

Mayo people from around the world are also invited to send in a two minute video of their work (community and/or professional) in protecting the planet to be shared as part of the event.

Announcing the event, Susan Heffernan, project manager at the Mary Robinson Centre, said: “This event will start an important conversation with Mayo’s diaspora in the spirit of Home to Mayo. Inviting our Mayo Changemakers home to meet, network and to explore the possibilities for collaboration and knowledge sharing in facing the climate crisis is an exciting proposition for the Mary Robinson Centre and will make for an inspiring event.”

The event is open to those engaged in climate and biodiversity and those interested in learning more.

Further details of the event and booking information can be found online at www.maryrobinsoncentre.ie.