21-05-2025
Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference returns next week
The Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference, now in its third year, is set to take place in Co. Mayo again next week.
The event is being jointly organised by the Mary Robinson Centre University of Galway and Mayo County Council.
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.
The annual conference, with a theme of 'Courage in Crisis', 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 Image: Mary Robinson Centre
Mary Robinson said that the 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 hometown of Ballina, imagining together what each of us can do to build a better future,' she said.
Climate and Nature Conference
Along with Mary Robinson, the conference will feature a distinguished lineup of Irish and international speakers.
These include Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Dublin City University (DCU); Anja Murray, ecologist, policy analyst, broadcaster and author; Dearbhla Richardson, youth climate justice activist; and Dr. Elaine McGoff, An Taisce.
The event will also be addressed by Dr. Gerard McCarthy, physical oceanographer and climate scientist; Prof. Hannah Daly, University College Cork (UCC); Prof. John Barry, Queens University Belfast; Prof. Navjot Bhullar, University of Canberra, Australia; and Tom Arnold, Ireland Africa Rural Development Committee.
Dr. Caitríona Carlin from the 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.'
Events
The conference will feature 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. Sinéad Sheehan, of the School of Psychology and Ryan Institute, University of Galway and conference co-chair, said that there is an extensive programme of events planned.
These events include 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.
Young artists aged 6 to 24 years are being asked to imagine and design their own urban farm as part of a competition being run alongside the conference.
'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 Sheehan said.
Dr. Alma Clavin, lecturer in Sustainability at University of Galway and conference co-chair, said the conference 'creates a necessary courageous space for those activated in climate and nature work to connect with each other and new ideas'.
Dr. Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, keynote speaker at the conference. said she was 'truly honoured and excited to be invited to speak' at the Mary Robinson Climate and Nature conference in her 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,' she said.
Another keynote speaker, Prof. Hannah Daly said: 'For decades, Mary Robinson has foregrounded the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis, bringing a moral urgency to global audiences like no other leader. It is a great privilege and honour to give a keynote address at this conference.'
