The conference 'Why we respond and why we turn away: human rights abuses in a changing world' will explore the factors underlying human responses to the plight of others.

The suffering and abuse of others has always confronted people in one way or another, but as the world becomes smaller through globalisation, we are called on in different ways to start making a difference.

In an Irish context we have seen great change in the make up of our own society and have experienced much greater access to the events, politics and cultures of other nations. So, in a changing international landscape, this conference will explore human rights in a shifting society. The speakers will be experts in a variety of fields including Psychoanalysis, English Literature, Law, Psychiatry and will also include speakers with a personal experience of denial of human rights. This conference marks a starting point of a greater exploration of this broad and challenging topic.

Speakers will include:

• Brian Collins (Irish Refugee Council)
• Joanne Conway (Psychoanalysis)
• Darius Whelan (Law)
• Brendan Kelly (Psychiatry)

Full agenda and list of speakers to follow.