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Mary Robinson

Fmr. President of Ireland

Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland (1990-1997) and more former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), has spent most of her life as a human rights advocate. Born Mary Bourke in Ballina, County Mayo (1944), the daughter of two physicians, she was educated at the University of Dublin (Trinity College), King's Inns Dublin and Harvard Law School to which she won a fellowship in 1967.

A committed European, she also served on the International Commission of Jurists, the Advisory Committee of Interights, and on expert European Community and Irish parliamentary committees. The recipient of numerous honours and awards throughout the world, Mary Robinson is a member of the Royal Irish Academy and the American Philosophical Society and, since 2002, has been Honorary President of Oxfam International. A founding member and Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders, she serves on many boards including the Vaccine Fund, and chairs the Irish Chamber Orchestra.

Currently based in New York, Mary Robinson is now leading Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative. Its mission is to put human rights standards at the heart of global governance and policy-making and to ensure that the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable are addressed on the global stage.

How Religion Can Impede Women’s Rights

Though it is a sensitive issue, the former President of Ireland says leaders of churches, mosques, and temples have a responsibility to counter religious practices that subjugate women.

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How Women Lead Differently than Men Do

Women are more inclined towards a modern style of leadership that encourages collaboration, though there are some women who feel they need to mimic traditional male leadership styles.

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4 min

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The U.N. Security Council Needs Reform

The United States is still a very dominant global player, but the Security Council should better reflect the power and economic balance of the new world.

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Life After the Celtic Tiger

The former President of Ireland cautions that it will take time to recover from Ireland’s dramatic boom and bust, but there are many signs of hope, including a greater sense […]

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Convincing Countries to Give in a Recession

Fostering a middle class in developing countries is in everyone’s interest. Failed states like Somalia promote terrorism and instability, affecting every part of our interconnected world.

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Big Think Interview With Mary Robinson

A conversation with the former President of Ireland.

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9 min

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There’s No Sustainable Development Without Human Rights

How can there be real progress in a nation like Niger, where 1 in 7 women die from childbirth, unless the country’s human rights crisis is addressed?

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3 min

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Leveraging Business Partnerships for Sustainability

Creating a sustainable global economy in the 21st century will require partnerships between governments, businesses, and NGOs. The good news is that there’s increasing willingness to cooperate.

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Why Climate Change Is a Human Rights Issue

Environmentalists prognosticate devastating changes in the future, but climate change is already impacting the lives of millions of poor people. There needs to be a developmental approach to climate change, […]

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Re: Do you have a personal philosophy?

They’re already on the road.

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Re: What is ethical globalization?

Linking human rights values to the current global economic system is crucial to Robinson.

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Mary Robinson on African Affairs

African countries are finding their own solutions.

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Re: Where do human rights come from?

Where do human rights come from?

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Aid and Development

Does the developed world have a responsibility to the developing world?

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Once hungry, today’s Ireland thrives.

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Mary Robinson on Her History in Politics

Mary Robinson on progress and modernity.

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Re: What does it mean to be Irish?

Robinson, on the opening and flowering of Irishness.

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Re: Who are we?

We got our values for the world at a time when the world was extraordinarily anxious.

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8 min

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Re: What do you believe?

What can you do to make the glass more full?

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Re: What inspires you?

Robinson’s father knew how to listen to his patients.

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Re: What do you do?

Ireland as a beacon of hope for developing countries.

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8 min

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Re: How do you contribute?

Always talking about human rights.

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Re: Who are you?

A gatherer of the Irish diaspora.

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