Dear John,

I emailed you recently about an exciting conference to examine what a Just Recovery from COVID-19 could look like.

As Ireland looks towards recovery from the pandemic, this conference will explore the opportunity we now have to develop more open, fair, just and healthy societies, flourishing within the ecological limits of our planet. It will also focus on how the Sustainable Development Goals can be used to guide Ireland’s recovery.

The programme for this event is now live - with some exciting keynote speakers just confirmed!

They include Dr Mike Ryan from the World Health Organisation, Asad Rehman from War on Want and Paola Simonetti from the International Trade Union Confederation. 

The conference will take place from 4pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday 14 July (not from 1pm as previously indicated). It is being organised by Stop Climate Chaos member, Friends of the Earth, on behalf of Coalition 2030. 

Read on to learn more about the keynote speakers....

Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the World Health Organisation’s Health Emergencies Programme. 

Dr Ryan has led the global response to Covid-19 through his work at WHO and has been at the forefront of managing acute risks to global health for nearly 25 years. He served as Assistant Director-General for Emergency Preparedness and Response in WHO's Health Emergencies Programme from 2017 to 2019. He has also worked in conflict affected countries and led many responses to high impact epidemics.

Asad Rehman, Executive Director, War on Want

As Executive Director, Asad leads War on Want's campaigning to combat the causes of poverty and defend human rights as part of a global movement. This includes a focus on a Global Green New Deal for people and planet based on the principles of a just transition and a just recovery.

He is a key organiser of the COP 26 Coalition and was previously the head of international climate at Friends of the Earth in London. He has over 25 years of experience in the non-government and charity sector. He has served on boards of Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth International, Global Justice Now, and Newham Monitoring Project.

Paola Simonetti, Deputy Director, Economic & Social Policy Dept, International Trade Union Confederation 

Paola Simonetti leads trade union engagement on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting trade unions action at national, regional and global levels, including SDGs related policy processes with multilateral institutions such as the UN, ILO, G20, OECD and the EU. Prior to this, Paola was policy advisor at the International Trade Union Confederation on development policy, and previously served as Head of the European Office of CISL, an Italian trade union confederation, in charge of advocacy and regional programs coordination.

Minister Eamon Ryan will provide an opening address to the conference via a pre-recorded video statement.  

Several more leading civil society voices have been lined up to contribute  - there will also be opportunities for discussion and reflection - check out the programme for full details. 

Hoping to see you on the 14th July for this special event.

In solidarity,

Áine

Mobilisation Coordinator

Stop Climate Chaos

Stop Climate Chaos is a coalition of civil society organizations campaigning to ensure Ireland does its fair share to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change.