The aim of our Annual Conference is to convene senior decision makers and influencers in public, civil society and private sectors on the island of Ireland to inform and identify actions to protect, promote and advance human rights and equality.
2026 Conference: Together Rising: Challenging Inequality, Countering Hate
This conference will examine the impact that poverty, inequality and insecurity has on communities, and explore the risks that rising division, amplified by social, economic and technological factors poses to social cohesion.
The conference will bring together senior decision makers, rights holders and influencers in public, civil society and private sectors on the island of Ireland to explore the social and human cost of these distinct issues. It will focus on human rights and equality as a basis to build a cohesive and resilient Ireland.
This conference is a valuable opportunity for leaders from across sectors to engage with their peers, hear from excellent speakers and participate in a discussion to tackle the complex and challenging structural issues of inequality and rising hate in Ireland.
Format
The conference is a one day, in person event.
- In the morning, you will hear keynotes and panel discussions.
- In the afternoon, you will break out into parallel workshops to discuss key topics.
There will be opportunities to network throughout the day.
Workshops
There will be four parallel workshops in the afternoon. You will be asked to register for one (and indicate a second preference) when you register online.
The workshops are:
This workshop will focus on the rapid increase in the use of artificial intelligence, including in the delivery of public services, and the implications for the right of structurally vulnerable groups to fairly access a basic standard of living and meaningful work.
This workshop will focus on how we can use the equality legal framework to challenge the causes of poverty.
The purpose of the workshop is to identify what needs to change so that civil society, and in particular community development organisations, can advocate successfully for policy and practice that leads to a more equal society.
This workshop will focus on IHREC’s guide on human rights and equality budgeting, and the strategies for advancing and strengthening human rights and equality budgeting
Programme
IHREC Marketplace
Conference Chair Shada Islam, Managing Director, New Horizons Project
Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick
IHREC Marketplace
(Panel & Q&A)
IHREC Marketplace
- AI and Digitalisation – What Does Transformational Change Mean for Structurally Vulnerable Groups?
- Bridging the gap between the Constitution and Equality legislation to break the cycle of poverty: Can equality law realise socio-economic rights?
- Advocating for Advocacy
- Investing in Human Rights and Equality
Deirdre Malone, Director
A Time for Courage and Vision
2025 Conference
We held our first annual conference on Leadership on Human Rights and Equality in September 2025.
