2008 - 2009 PARTICIPANTS |
 | Mary Robinson Former president of Ireland; former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Political Power Mary Robinson served from 1990 to 1997 as the first female President of Ireland and from 1997 to 2002 as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her presidential term was marked by her commitment to developing nations and her efforts to link Ireland's historical and cultural tradition to the issues facing the world today. In 1992, she was the first Head of State to visit Somalia following the crisis there and she was the first Head of State to visit Rwanda in the aftermath of the genocide. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin and Harvard University Law School, she has served as a member of Trinity College law faculty, as Senator in Seanad Eireann, as a member of the International Commission of Jurists and of the Advisory Committee of Interrights, and is currently Chancellor of Dublin University. She founded the Irish Center for European Law at Trinity College in 1988. The recipient of many accolades, Robinson is a member of the Royal Irish Academy and the American Philosophical Society. She is also honorary president of Oxfam International and Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders. Now based in New York, Robinson is the Chair of Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative, which promotes equitable trade and development, more humane migration policies, and the human right to health. She is also a Professor of Practice at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. |
