The President delivered the Distinguished Presidential Lecture of the ‘Ireland at Fordham Humanitarian Lecture Series’ on the theme of ‘Humanitarianism and the Public Intellectual in Times of Crisis’.
The series is a collaboration established in early 2019 between the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN and the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) at Fordham University.
Over a period of 18 months, through a series of distinguished lectures and workshops, the collaboration is exploring the challenges facing policy makers and humanitarians as they seek to ensure that aid reaches those in need, humanitarian principles are upheld, and civilians are protected. The series draws upon the significant technical and academic expertise of the Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs as well as the institute’s extensive network of contacts in key humanitarian organisations.
The outcome of the discussions will help inform Ireland’s preparations for membership of the UN Security Council, where humanitarian issues arise with ever greater frequency and urgency.
In his address the President spoke about the importance to Ireland of the United Nations and of the need for greater international cooperation to address global challenges.
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