The Board

Mary Robinson

Mary Robinson has been a leading campaigner for human rights throughout her life. She served as the first female President of Ireland between 1990 and 1997. At the end of her tenure, in recognition of her commitment to justice and equality, she was appointed as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, a position she held between 1997 and 2002.

Mary Robinson

Dr. Robinson is widely recognised for having developed a new level of engagement between Ireland and the developing world during her Presidency. She was the first head of state to visit famine stricken Somalia, and the first to visit Rwanda after the genocide.

Since leaving the United Nations in 2002, Dr. Robinson has continued to champion developing world issues through the founding of Realizing Rights, an ethical globalisation initiative focusing on developing fair and equitable trade, strengthening responses to HIV/AIDS and shaping more humane migration policies.

Dr. Robinson has received widespread recognition for her efforts in the international arena. In 2004, she was made an Amnesty International ‘Ambassador of Conscience'. She is the honorary president of Oxfam International and a member of the Global Elders.

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Opinion Pieces and Articles

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    Sierra Leone's Model for Improving Maternal Health and Women's Right - The Huffington Post
    Health, MDGs, Women / Gender
    06 August 2010

    Freetown, Sierra Leone -- Continuing high rates of maternal mortality and persistent gender-based violence must be addressed through a holistic and rights-based approach that strengthens health systems and empowers women. As we approach the ten-year review of the United Nations Millennium Development ...

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    Don't marginalise the poor - Oxfam Blog
    Commerce , Development, Economical, International Community, MDGs, Poverty
    02 April 2009

    I am worried about what the outcome of this G20 Summit will be for poor developing countries. I understand from experience how these kind of discussions are held and the pressures that are exerted. But I do get the strong sense today that the G20’s focus is much closer to home – that this meeting ...

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