Mary Robinson Climate Conference returns to Mayo this June

THE theme ‘A Shared Response to a Shared Responsibility’ will be the focus of the second annual Mary Robinson Climate Conference, taking place in Ballina from June 5 to 7.

Following a highly successful first year, this year’s theme reflects the fact that we all have a part to play in addressing the impact of climate change at local, national and even global levels. The theme recognises that all voices are important in contributing to climate conversations, and that such conversations then are the catalyst for collective action.

Mary Robinson will open the conference with an in-conversation talk on Project Dandelion with Laura Cook, former communications advisor to The Elders, setting the tone for the three-day event. A range of speakers from Ireland and overseas will bring community actors, researchers, policy-makers and local and national governance together, acknowledging their collective role in addressing our most pressing climate issues.

Conference co-chairs from the University of Galway recognise that “The climate crisis brings to the fore a complex and urgent series of concerns that require diverse skillsets and scholarly approaches, reflected in our convening approach,” said co-chair Kathy Reilly, who represents social sciences, along with fellow co-chairs from the natural sciences (Gesche Kindermann and Peter Croot).

Speaking on the announcement, Susan Heffernan, project manager for the Mary Robinson Centre, said: “This conference is becoming a national space for knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration for those interested in and active in creating change for good, most particularly on climate action. The centre and Ballina Green Town are proud hosts of this conference and the important dialogue it generates at national level.”

For more information and booking, visit www.maryrobinsoncentre.ie.