Former Irish President Mary Robinson has addressed students from some of Taiwan's preeminent schools to share her experiences as a leader and advocate for equality and justice. Robinson was in Taipei to accept this year's Tang Prize for her decades of work in law and human rights.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00A warm smile and a handshake from former Irish President Mary Robinson as she meets students
00:07from some of the most prestigious schools in Taipei.
00:10First and foremost, I must say that it is an honor to be sitting here with the one and
00:14only Mary Robinson.
00:19Robinson, now 80 years old, became Ireland's first female president in 1990, seen as a
00:25key moment in the country's journey from a conservative and religious nation toward
00:30a more liberal society.
00:33After stepping down in 1997, she continued her work as the UN High Commissioner for Human
00:38Rights, and later UN Special Envoy on Climate Change, fighting for equality and justice
00:44around the globe, experiences she's shared with the students.
00:49Believe in what you're doing.
00:50Have faith that you're doing the right thing.
00:53And so that carried me forward.
00:54And then just briefly, when I was elected president, my whole attitude was, I'm going
01:01to do a better job precisely because I am a woman.
01:04I know that.
01:05Mary Robinson.
01:09Robinson was honored with a Tang Prize in Taipei a few days earlier.
01:13The Taiwan-based awards are given out every two years and recognize researchers around
01:18the world who, its organizers say, address issues critical to humanity in four categories.
01:26Sustainable development, biopharmaceutical science, signology, and rule of law.
01:34Professor Robinson has constantly shown to the world her powerful advocacy on behalf
01:42of the most disadvantaged.
01:45And her passion and endeavor demonstrated a smart combination of legal argument and
01:52practical solution to enhance rights and justice.
01:56Professor Ye, please present the Tang Prize Medal to Professor Mary Robinson.
02:01Robinson was the only woman to be awarded a Tang Prize this year in recognition of her
02:06decades of work in law and human rights.
02:09Previous prize winners include primatologist Jane Goodall and the scientists who developed
02:14the mRNA-based COVID vaccine.
02:18In her acceptance speech, Robinson addressed world leaders and their shared responsibilities
02:23to the planet.
02:24And last but not least, what can leaders do individually and collectively to move the
02:31world in a new and more hopeful direction in which rule of law is once again viewed
02:37as a core element of accountable governance systems dedicated to achieving a peaceful,
02:45just and sustainable planet for all.
02:49She had a similar message to the students of Taipei, as she continues to work as a global
02:54leader, trying to focus the world's attention on human rights issues, urging youth participation,
03:00especially from the female students, through humor and collective responsibility, and setting
03:06an example for the future of Taiwan.