Panel Discussion on United Nations Reform at Trinity College Dublin
2026/2/24
Taken at the Edmund Burke Theatre, Trinity College Dublin
On 24 February, marking the fourth year since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a panel discussion entitled “The Veto,” organised by the Trinity Women in Law and Society for International Affairs (SOFIA) at Trinity College Dublin, was held at the Edmund Burke Theatre. President Catherine Connolly and her husband were in attendance. Following opening remarks by the Provost, Dr Linda Doyle, and an Irish premiere screening of the documentary film “The Veto,” which focuses on United Nations reform, a panel discussion took place featuring former President of Ireland and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Mrs Mary Robinson, former Ambassador of Ireland to the United Nations Mr David Donoghue, former United Nations Assistant-Secretary-General Mr Olav Kjørven, and member of the University’s Society for International Affairs Ms Ella Hammerich.
The panellists offered insightful perspectives from their respective standpoints on the current state of, and challenges facing, United Nations reform, including the importance of expanding youth participation. Students posed lively, forward-looking questions, and the discussion, which lasted nearly 1 hour , provided a valuable opportunity for the audience, including the diplomatic corps, to reflect on what each individual can do to help build a rules-based international community.
From the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu, and Mr ISHIMOTO Akihiro, First Secretary attended the event. The Embassy of Japan in Ireland will continue to work closely with the Government of Ireland, educational institutions, and the business community to support efforts to ensure that the United Nations functions ever more effectively in promoting the rule of law through the international community.
The panellists offered insightful perspectives from their respective standpoints on the current state of, and challenges facing, United Nations reform, including the importance of expanding youth participation. Students posed lively, forward-looking questions, and the discussion, which lasted nearly 1 hour , provided a valuable opportunity for the audience, including the diplomatic corps, to reflect on what each individual can do to help build a rules-based international community.
From the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Ambassador MIYAGAWA Manabu, and Mr ISHIMOTO Akihiro, First Secretary attended the event. The Embassy of Japan in Ireland will continue to work closely with the Government of Ireland, educational institutions, and the business community to support efforts to ensure that the United Nations functions ever more effectively in promoting the rule of law through the international community.