Mary Lawlor delivers keynote address at DCU Institute for Climate and Society annual conference

The conference also featured a range of speakers from the arts, the media and academia, exploring the role of activism, storytelling and the arts in responding to the climate crisis.

Opening the annual conference, DCU President Professor Daire Keogh said;

“It's been exciting to see the Institute grow in the scope and reach of its research and engagement. That’s reflected in the theme of this year's conference, 'Dispatches from a changing climate: Engaging society through activism, storytelling and the arts'. The theme is timely and pertinent. As we witness climate action being rolled back, defunded and maligned, it feels like a time to turn to those we often do in periods of uncertainty - the artists, storytellers and musicians. We know the power of the arts, and today's line-up of speakers will challenge and provoke, as well as inspire.”

In her keynote address, Mary Lawlor (UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders) said;

“People all over the world have for decades been calling on their governments to take the action needed to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. They have been making the link, put in black and white in the Paris Agreement, between reducing emissions and protecting human rights. They should be supported by States, yet in many places the opposite is happening. This must change.”

The conference was also marked by a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between DCU and Front Line Defenders, to establish a joint Rest and Respite Fellowship Programme for Environmental Defenders. Front Line Defenders has for many years operated a very successful Rest and Respite programme for human rights defenders. As part of this new partnership, starting this autumn DCU will welcome an environmental defender to the University for a few months of rest and respite. They will be included in courses, have the chance to connect with students, teaching staff and researchers, as well as engaging with the wider community.

Dr Diarmuid Torney, Director of the DCU Centre for Climate and Society, said;

“The mission of the Institute for Climate and Society is to shape and support societal responses to climate change in Ireland and around the world. In the current moment of global turbulence, that mission feels more important than ever. At our annual conference today, we are delighted to be able to spotlight a diverse range of contributions to the climate and ecological crises through activism, storytelling and the arts.”

“We are proud to be partnering with Front Line Defenders to launch a joint Rest and Respite Fellowship Programme for Environmental Defenders. Front Line Defenders are known internationally for their work in this area. Starting this autumn, we will collaborate with Front Line to welcome an environmental defender to DCU. They will have the opportunity participate in our courses, and to connect with our students, teaching staff and researchers, as well as engaging with the wider community.”

More details about the DCU Institute for Climate and Society can be found here.