This conference will bring together senior leaders and decision-makers from the public and private sector, civil society and the civil service to examine two defining challenges facing Irish society: persistent inequality and poverty, and the rise of hate, discrimination and polarisation.
Programme
9.00 Registration, IHREC Marketplace
10.00 Opening act
- Mohammad Syfkhan accompanied by Cathal Roche and Eimear Reidy
10.05 Commencement of Proceedings
- Conference Chair Shada Islam, Managing Director, New Horizons Project
10.15 Welcome and opening remarks
- Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick, IHREC
10.25 Community Leadership in Action
- Debbie Mulhall, Dolphin House
- Sarah Clancy, Clare PPN
- Mary O’Hara, author and journalist (pre-recorded video)
10.35 Keynote
- Professor Aoife Nolan, President, Council of Europe European Committee of Social Rights
10.55 Q&A
11.10 Networking Break, IHREC Marketplace
11.30 Poem
- Dr Rosaleen McDonagh read by Anne Burke
11.35 Voices for Change: Tackling Inequality and Hate (Panel & Q&A)
- Chair Shada Islam
- Dr James Casey, Director EAPN
- Bulelani Mfaco, Activist
- Senator Eileen Flynn, Oireachtas Member
- Danny McCoy, CEO Ibec
- David Joyce, Equality Officer ICTU
12.15 Roundtable Response
12.45 Lunch, IHREC Marketplace
14.00-15.45 Workshops
AI and Digitalisation – What Does Transformational Change Mean for Structurally Vulnerable Groups?
Chair Noeline Blackwell, IHREC Commissioner Member
Louise Hooper, Enforce AI Expert, Irish Council for Civil Liberties,
Reuban Murray, Policy and Advocacy Officer, National Youth Council of Ireland
Sarah Jameson, Senior Policy Advisor, Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD
Professor Barry O’Sullivan, University College Cork
Bridging the gap between the Constitution and Equality legislation to break the cycle of poverty: Can equality law realise socio-economic rights?
Chair Cathryn Costello, IHREC Commissioner
Suzy Byrne, Regional Manager, National Advocacy Service
Judy Walsh, Lecturer in Equality Studies and Social Justice, UCD
Cathy Smith SC
Susheela Math, Head of Legal at Systemic Justice
Advocating for Advocacy
Chair Rose Wall, IHREC Commission Member
Claire McEvoy, Senior Civic space Expert, OECD
Sarah Clancy, Coordinator, Clare PPN
Tinu Achioya , CEO, Cultúr Migrant Centre
Damien Walshe, CEO, Independent Living Movement Ireland
Anastasia Crickley, Board member and former chairperson of Community Work Ireland
Investing in Human Rights and Equality
Chair Colin Harvey, IHREC Commission Member
Professor Jo Edson Ferrie, Professor of Sociology, University of Glasgow
Dr Aidan Flegg, Policy Manager, Modern Slavery & Human Rights Policy & Evidence Centre, University of Oxford
15.45 Workshop transition/comfort break
16.00 Closing Session
- Deirdre Malone, Director, IHREC
16.20 Conference Close
