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Professor Michael O'Flaherty, director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights welcomed President Joachim Gauck of Germany and President Michael D Higgins of Ireland. President Gauck was visiting Galway to receive an honorary Doctorate of Laws from NUIG.

The Honorary Conferring and visit to the University included a Roundtable Discussion with key speakers on Development and Human Rights at the Irish Centre of Human Rights at NUI Galway. Among the Participants were representatives of the development sector in Ireland (Concern, Trócaire), members of the German delegation, academics and human rights experts, Irish and German diplomats and policy makers, moderated by Professor Michael O’Flaherty, Director of The Irish Centre of Human Rights at NUI Galway.

Speaking on the Round Table Discussion, Professor Michael O'Flaherty, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at NUI Galway, said: "It is a very important initiative of President Michael D. Higgins and President Joachim Gauck to convene a conversation on Human Rights and Development. Enormously significant decisions will be taken by the international community in September when it adopts the Sustainable Development Goals.  It is imperative that Human Rights are strongly presented in these goals and our discussion will contribute to strengthening the policy of European states on this critical issue."

Introductory Speech for President Gauck delivered by Professor O'Flaherty

Link to NUIG's press statement on President Gauck's conferring