The President of the Foundation, Mary Robinson, gave the opening address at the Connecting Local to Global: Women, Climate Change and Conservation meeting in New York on September 19, 2011.
President of the Foundation, Mary Robinson, gave the opening address at the Connecting Local to Global: Women, Climate Change and Conservation meeting in New York on September 19, 2011.
The meeting, organised by the Center for Environment and Population (CEP), discussed innovative women-centred approaches to conservation, climate change and development through on-the-ground grassroots networks. The event, which highlighted the personal narratives of leading global south grassroots activists, was timed to help frame the discussions at the UN General Assembly and the Clinton Global Initiative.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Robinson said: “Women with access to leadership can listen to grassroots women and move the gender agenda forward. The stories of the grassroots women are an extraordinary persuasive perspective. Their authentic voices are a very compelling, strong argument against the climate deniers. Climate change is causing the displacement of people, a threat to food security and water and has the potential for conflict. It is timely that we sit down to discuss these issues during the UN General Assembly.”