Covid-19: Social Justice, and Rebuilding Ireland

The global experience of Covid-19 has turned the world into a laboratory for the study of the complex and intertwined relationships of people and society. In Ireland, as elsewhere, we endured an enforced isolation from friends, family, and workplace colleagues. We witnessed, and experienced, the Covid -19 health and economic effects on family members, groups and individuals. We watched as science-informed decisions were taken in the name of the public good.

Throughout these anxious times, we have rediscovered our community, and forged a new solidarity from our shared experience. This pandemic era also exposes the fault lines in Irish society. Care has become re-privatised, with those who continue in employment navigating the demands of work, home-schooling and care-giving. Unemployment has been forced on many people, and economic security is an emerging challenge.

The pandemic of racism in Irish society was brought into sharp relief and it challenges our dominant white-centric norms and attitudes. This online conversation will explore what values we want to foreground as we rebuild Ireland and asks how we plan for a socially just and inclusive transition into the digital and green revolutions.

Panellists:

• Colette Bennett – Research and Policy Analyst at Social Justice Ireland
• Sinéad Burke – Academic, Writer and Advocate
• Yvonne Galligan (chair) – Director Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion TU Dublin
• Salome Mbugua Henry – Commissioner of Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
• Gerry MacRuairc – Professor of Education, NUI Galway
• Chair: Yvonne Galligan (chair) – Director Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion TU Dublin

Booking is free but essential. Registrants will receive further information and a zoom link for attendance in advance of the session. Queries should be directed to policy@ria.ie.