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.
What does human rights and equality leadership look like?
Watch our video below, where human rights and equality leaders share their thoughts.
Watch the recording of the Conference: Together Rising: Challenging Inequality, Countering Hate
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: The Algorithm - Has Stolen Our Men
- 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
- Maria Joyce, Coordinator, National Traveller Womens Forum
- Dr Kara McGann, Head of Social Policy at 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, Commissioner Member, IHREC
- 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: Professor Cathryn Costello, Commission Member, IHREC
- 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, Commission Member, IHREC
- 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, Chair Policy and Practice Community, Work Ireland and Minority Rights Group International
Investing in Human Rights and Equality
Chair: Professor Colin Harvey, Commission Member, IHREC
- 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
Marketplace
Grant Project
Action Aid - Between Hope and a Home
Organisation: Action Aid
Between Hope and a Home
Between Hope and a Home is a peer-led research project exploring the housing barriers faced by lone parents who were attempting to exit Direct Provision.
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Grant Project
ATD Ireland - Building Bridges: Busting Poverty Myths and Highlighting Inclusive Practice in Education, Training and Employment
Organisation: ATD Ireland
Building Bridges: Busting Poverty Myths and Highlighting Inclusive Practice in Education, Training and Employment
Building Bridges: Busting Poverty Myths and Highlighting Inclusive Practice in Education, Training and Employment highlights inclusive practices that truly support people in poverty to access education and employment. The project has given those with an experience of poverty and socio- economic discrimination an outlet to express their experiences and better connect these to policy.
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Grant Project
Amal women Ireland - Muslim Women’s Access to the Irish Labour Market
Organisation: Amal Women Ireland
Muslim Women’s Access to the Irish Labour Market
With funding from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), Amal Women Ireland carried out research into the experiences of Muslim women accessing employment and progressing in their careers in Ireland.
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Grant Project
Cultúr - The PEER-TO-PEER Community Human Rights Platform Project
Organisation: Cultúr
The PEER-TO-PEER Community Human Rights Platform Project
The purpose of The PEER-TO-PEER Community Human Rights Platform Project was to create awareness among migrants of their status as rights holders and to build collective capacity, voice and solidarity. The Peer-to-Peer Community Human Rights Platform provided an engaging and safe space for peer sharing, learning, support and networking
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Grant Project
Clare PPN - 'Fact or Fiction, building a community led response to mis and disinformation in County Clare'
Organisation: Clare PPN
'Fact or Fiction, building a community led response to mis and disinformation in County Clare'
Clare PPN and our community allies have been working on a pilot project: 'Fact or Fiction, building a community led response to mis and disinformation in County Clare' that aims to develop a peer-led community response to mis and dis information.
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Grant Project
Doras - "The Reception Gap: Permanent International Protection Accommodation Versus Emergency Accommodation"
Organisation: Doras
"The Reception Gap: Permanent International Protection Accommodation Versus Emergency Accommodation"
This research examines and compares living conditions in IPAS permanent and emergency accommodation centres across Ireland.
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Grant Project
Dolphin House & Oliver Bond House
Organisation: Dolphin House & Oliver Bond House
Residents from Dolphin House and Oliver Bond tell the story of applying a human rights based approach to sub-standard housing in their local authority estates.
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Grant Project
Outhouse - LGBTQ+ Deprivation at Triple the National Rate
Organisation: Outhouse
LGBTQ+ Deprivation at Triple the National Rate
The Pride and Poverty report, one of the first national studies to examine the economic realities of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland, finds that many are experiencing sustained financial strain, housing instability, and discrimination in the workplace.
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Grant Project
National Platform of Self-Advocates
Organisation: National Platform of Self-Advocates
How Legislation Can Change Your Life - Understanding Your Rights (2024-25)
How Legislation Can Change Your Life - Understanding Your Rights (2024-25) project strengthened the voice, confidence and leadership of people with intellectual disabilities by putting self-advocates at the centre of rights education.
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