Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland (1990-1997) and more
recently United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), She
spent most of her life as a human rights advocate, seeking to use law as an
instrument for social change. She has argued landmark cases before the European
Court of Human Rights as well as in the Irish courts and the European Court in
Luxemburg. A committed European, she also served on expert European Community
and Irish parliamentary committees.
In 1988 Mary Robinson and her husband founded the Irish Centre for European
Law at the Trinity College. Ten years later she was elected Chancellor of the
University.
The recipient of numerous honours and awards throughout the world, Mary
Robinson is a member of the Elders, Chair of the Council of Women World Leaders
and Vice President of the Club of Madrid. She is chair of the GAVI Fund
Executive Committee and Vice-chair of the GAVI Fund Board. Now based in New
York, Mary Robinson is currently the President of Realizing Rights: The Ethical
Globalization Initiative.