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Mary Robinson receives inaugural Seán MacBride Award from UCC Philosophical Society
- Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson honoured by UCC Philosophical Society for her contribution to human rights, public life and climate justice
Former President of Ireland and founding member of The Elders Mary Robinson has been awarded inaugural Seán MacBride Award for Independent Thought, a new award established by the UCC Philosophical Society. The award recognises individuals who have demonstrated the courage to challenge convention, confront injustice and make a lasting contribution to public life and public discourse.
The new award honours the legacy of Seán MacBride, the Irish lawyer, politician and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. UCC Philosophical Society established the award to celebrate its long-standing commitment to independent thinking and public debate.
Founded in 1850, UCC Philosophical Society is the oldest student society at University College Cork (UCC) and has a long tradition of promoting debate, discussion and independent thought.
Mary Robinson, the first woman to serve as President of Ireland and a former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has been selected as the inaugural recipient in recognition of her extraordinary contribution to Irish public life and her decades of advocacy for human rights, gender equality and climate justice.
Throughout her career, President Robinson has championed women’s rights and participation in public life and peace-building, human dignity and international human rights. She has also become one of the world’s leading voices on climate justice, highlighting the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable communities and advocating for a fair and equitable global response.
Her international advocacy has included her work with The Elders, the independent group of global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela to work for peace, human rights and a sustainable planet, which she formerly chaired.
Ciara Graham, External convenor of UCC Philosophical Society, said: "To be standing here in the Aula Maxima, with President Mary Robinson here as the first recipient of an award our society has created, is something I am incredibly proud of and something I know I will remember long after I leave UCC."
Paul Scanlan, Chairperson of UCC Philosophical Society, said: “Mary Robinson epitomises the principles of independent thought and an unflinching pursuit of progress that the Seán MacBride Award for Independent Thought seeks to promote. She has been an inspiration to generations of men and women worldwide, and it was an honour to have her serve as the award’s inaugural recipient.”
The event included remarks from UCC President Professor O’Halloran MRIA, followed by a discussion and audience Q&A with Mary Robinson, moderated by Dr Fiona Buckley, senior lecturer in UCC Department of Government and Politics.