Mary Robinson has been confirmed as keynote speaker for Our Ocean Wealth Summit 2018. Striking the right note on International Women’s Day, the choice for speaker is an exciting one for the annual summit which takes place in Galway on Thursday and Friday, June 28th and 29th.
Mary Robinson to deliver keynote speech at Our Ocean Wealth Summit 2018 (Credit Mary Robinson Climate Justice Foundation)
At an interesting and complex time for international trade and politics, Ireland’s first female president (1990 – 1997), United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997 – 2002) and currently head of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, will no doubt bring thoughtful and significant perspectives for attendees to consider.
Since 2010, Mary Robinson’s Climate Justice Foundation has engaged communities around the world and has sought to put justice and equity at the heart of responses to climate change with particular emphasis on the challenge that it poses for the poorest and most vulnerable peoples of the world.
Now in its fifth year, Our Ocean Wealth Summit forms a key part of the Government’s integrated marine plan – Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth and is a key event for the marine sector and related industries, offering a platform for discussion on the future of Ireland’s marine sector. This year Our Ocean Wealth Summit will extend across two days with a packed programme of presentations as well as panel discussion, interactive sessions and networking events. Galway Docks will host the event and its expected to attract more than 500 national and international delegates from across the marine sector.
Given her life’s work dedicated to equality and justice, Mary Robinson’s keynote speech could set both the bar and the tone for the whole summit. With this year’s theme being ‘Investing in marine Ireland’, it is very easy to see her speech couching this within the context of communities working together for the benefit of everyone. Certainly Ireland and its marine sector could only benefit from a greater understanding of the experiences and input of diverse communities both at home and around the world, particularly if we are to progress towards the Government’s ambitious targets to double the value of the blue economy by 2030.
For a maritime gathering that grows in attendances and importance every year, Mary Robinson’s keynote speech is the perfect opener.
