Mary Robinson Visits Abu Dhabi
Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, was guest of honor at a breakfast reception on
Monday, March 13 hosted by the Abu Dhabi Irish Society at the Crowne Plaza.
The reception, which was open to the Irish community and friends, was well attended by an appreciative audience including Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) officials, teachers, medical staff, engineers, visitors from both sides of the border, and to Mary's delight, children attending schools in Abu Dhabi. A little formal initially, the event quickly became much more relaxed following the former president's easy manner, and everyone got a chance to meet to the distinguished visitor.
In a short speech, Mary Robinson, visiting Abu Dhabi to address a conference
at Sheikh Zayed University, discussed her current work with
www.realizingrights.org, a
partnership of academics, politicians and businesspeople working for ethical
responsibility in business, development, HIV programs and human migration
issues. She noted the contrast between the affluence of the UAE and the
widespread malnutrition amongst children she witnessed in a recent visit to
Ghana.
In his introduction, Joe Somers, President of the Abu Dhabi Irish society, praised the immense contribution Mary Robinson had made to the Presidency of Ireland and the particular warmth she had for the Irish diaspora. The simple gesture of a candle in the window of Áras an Uachtaráin at Christmas was a very poignant link for the millions of Irish overseas with home and family.
The Irish Society presented Mary Robinson with some traditional Omani wedding jewelry.
For more pictures of the event, click here
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