Mayo centre hosting Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference

THE Mary Robinson Centre and University of Galway, along with partner Mayo County Council, will host the third Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference.

The conference will bring together climate justice advocates, scientists, activists, community groups and policymakers to address local, national and global challenges and opportunities in relation to climate justice and nature conservation.

Centering on the theme 'Courage in Crisis', the annual conference will take place in Ballina on May 26 and 27, where the former president grew up, and where the new Mary Robinson Centre is located.

Mary Robinson said: “The Mary Robinson Nature and Climate Conference will centre on a call to courage in the face of the climate and nature crisis, a crisis that touches every part of our shared world.

“In these urgent times, it is through meitheal, the Irish tradition of coming together in collective effort, that we find strength, purpose and hope. Only by standing together can we meet this moment with the boldness it demands.

“I’m looking forward to being in community in my home town of Ballina, imagining together what each of us can do to build a better future.”

Along with Mary Robinson, the conference will feature a distinguished lineup of Irish and international speakers, including: Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, DCU; Anja Murray, ecologist, policy analyst, broadcaster and author; Dearbhla Richardson, youth climate justice activist; Dr. Elaine McGoff, An Taisce; Dr. Gerard McCarthy, physical oceanographer and climate scientist; Professor Hannah Daly, UCC; Professor John Barry, Queens University Belfast; Professor Navjot Bhullar, University of Canberra, Australia; Tom Arnold, Ireland Africa Rural Development Committee; Dr. Omnia El Omrani, Global Climate and Health Alliance; and Laura Cook, Project Dandelion.

The conference will feature a diverse range of workshops, panel discussions, walks, music and art, and aims to create space for people to connect, share ideas, and collaborate, with several of the conference events open to the public.

Dr. Caitríona Carlin, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute at University of Galway and conference co-chair, said: “It was uplifting to hear Mary Robinson recognise the interconnections between climate and biodiversity, when she changed the name of the conference to climate and nature in 2024. This is the first year that the conference formally addresses climate and nature and we are grateful to the funders and sponsors who have supported us.

“The conference enables us to acknowledge that actions for climate, for nature are also for us. We are part of the environment, and in finding common ground, we can make space for courageous conversations and actions to meet the multiple challenges ahead.”

Dr. Sinéad Sheehan, School of Psychology and Ryan Institute, University of Galway and conference co-chair, said: “This year, while we are bringing the conference to Ballina, we also want to bring Ballina to the conference! There’s a great programme of events planned around the conference, including an art exhibition at the Mary Robinson Centre, a 'Connecting With Trees' walk in Belleek Woods on Sunday, and an eco-gathering on Tuesday featuring groups working on climate and nature. We’re also looking forward to a special ‘Oíche Cultúr agus Craic’ on Monday night with music, poetry and storytelling - it should be a brilliant few days for Ballina and the wider community.”

Dr. Alma Clavin, Lecturer in Sustainability at University of Galway and conference co-chair, said: “This conference creates a necessary courageous space for those activated in climate and nature work to connect with each other and new ideas. The conference is taking place in a county that has a fantastic network of community-led climate and sustainability initiatives and a distinctive biodiversity-rich landscape.

“We’re delighted to host this important conference in the town of Ballina, the birthplace of Mary Robinson, a global leader in climate justice.”

Keynote speaker Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin said: "I am truly honoured and excited to be invited to speak at the Mary Robinson Climate and Nature conference in my home county of Mayo. There are wonderful examples of nature being valued and protected across the county and I look forward to referencing these as positive stories of community impact.

“Mary Robinson has been such a wonderful role model for people across the world and it is a privilege to contribute to this conference celebrating her work and encouraging others to take on her message of urgency and hope with regards to climate and the environment.”

The conference is sponsored by University of Galway, the Sunflower Foundation, Mayo County Council, Eirgrid, Fáilte Ireland, FutureEnergy and IBP Insurance.

The full conference programme, including the schedule of public events, is available here.