Amnesty Ireland Annual Conference 2009

Saturday 9th May
Registration started at approximately 9am and we were warmly welcomed to the annual conference. This year’s conference took place in the School of Midwifery, D’Olier Street and it was the perfect venue. The opening address was shared between Colm O’Gorman and Noeleen Hartigan, with Paul Cunningham chairing proceedings. This lasted for roughly an hour and the various campaigns that Amnesty gets involved in were outlined for the delegates, members and the executive.

Once the opening addresses were out of the way those present were divided into workshops. I, with my Zimbabwe Group colleagues, held one such workshop. Two native Zimbabweans told us their individual stories and what led them to come to Ireland. They described the torture and harassment they were subjected to and one could not fail to be touched by the pain and heartbreak that they had to endure.

Following these testimonials the two speakers had various questions put to them. There are no easy answers to a problem that never seems to go away but these two brave people were, despite the great problems back in their homeland, optimistic about the future.

About 45 people attended our workshop and those present divided into four separate groups of 10 to go into further discussions on Zimbabwe. Myself and Barbara (one of my colleagues) co-chaired a discussion and we were delighted by the interest shown and the questions asked. One thing is certain; Zimbabwe has many friends in Ireland which is a source of great comfort and a boost to the work we in Amnesty are trying to do. Various reforms need to be introduced in Zimbabwe before life gets better there. A new constitution and the ending of impunity in the security forces were discussed as being just some of the changes needed to restore Zimbabwe’s good name.

The workshop ended after around half an hour and everyone spilled out onto the foyer of the building, apparently one of the few art-deco constructions in the city. Everyone appreciated the new venue and its proximity to the Amnesty headquarters in Ballast House was a great advantage. I understand that financial concerns were also a big factor in the choice of venue. This was my second Annual conference since I became a fully paid up member of the Irish section. It is a good way of sharing ideas with colleagues around the country and trying to make people’s lives, both at home and abroad, free from suffering.

One of the highlights, for me on the first day of this annual conference, was meeting Charles Laffiteau (an American who writes a column in Metro Eireann). Charles is a Republican, but says he likes Obama, and he was a genuine pleasure to talk to. Not how I would characterise most US Republicans. We had a brief chat, before going to another of the many workshops members were required to attend.

To be honest a lot of the literature and talking that went on at the conference was information overload and that’s not why I joined as a member. Self-motivation is the best way of getting involved. Doing something because you care and NOT for any other reason. I didn’t join so I could back-slap, clap or wallow in papers. Far from it, Human Rights were, and are, my reason for getting involved with AI. Not to self-congratulate. However that is the nature of conferences and I still believe in people power. Despite my reservations Amnesty is the best organisation we have to express that.

So I’m sitting in a pleasant Cafeteria near Wicklow Street. I’ve just finished my latte and my head’s spinning. That’s what a day spent listening about Human Rights does to you. Can’t imagine how the AI staff cope. But it’s a hell of a lot better than torture. Hopefully tomorrow’s events will be more interactive……


Sunday 10th May
I arrived for a workshop, this morning, on the Middle East. David White is the co-ordinator of the Amnesty group that is involved in that, ongoing, running sore. I’ve met David before and he’s a great guy. He has a moderate demeanour – just what’s needed in an increasingly bitter struggle between Israel and various Arabic nations. Well, although I was late, I got the flavour of how the various members felt about the thorny issue of Gaza etc. Personally I feel the whole issue has become intensely political and it makes Amnesty’s work very difficult. Even though I wouldn’t join such a working group I am delighted to be associated with the likes of David. I was only in the workshop for a short period because of my tardiness and the next plenary session was to do with various motions that had to be voted on by members. There were some lively exchanges on one or two of the motions but nothing too divisive.

After a short break members attended another workshop of choice. I chose to go to one concerning Amnesty’s campaign on Mental Health. Seems to me that there has been a lot of talk on this issue but with little tangible progress. Why not engage with the public at large and try to educate and inform people on Mental Health rather than hang around for government assistance on this issue? Of course we need the aid of government in planning and funding and it is crucial to get their co-operation. But everyone has a role to play with regard to Mental Health.

Society needs to be educated about mental health because not enough is known about this problem. I have my objections on the campaign however; Amnesty should be praised for its activity in this area. Raising awareness of the issues surrounding Mental Health is pivotal in establishing the best way to help those who suffer. Of course I know that Amnesty is not involved with the medical treatment of patients, but the human rights organisation is still trying to help those on the thin edge of the wedge on this matter.

As someone with direct experience of mental ill health, I know that lives aren’t just affected – they are LOST because of late treatment or poor diagnosis. This is due to mass ignorance at how the public identify the mentally ill. These people are not all violent and there are still some taboos to be broken. Maybe Amnesty could do more to end the stigma still attached to mental health. Mental Health should be talked about in as clear a way as Cancer or any other illness. No one should need to be silent about the fact they have a mental illness.

The general theme of this year’s conference seemed to be a lack of adequate funding for what AI wants to achieve. After the workshops were all over, delegates returned to the foyer and the talk was about how to grow the organisation. I feel that activism is strongest when issues are more keenly felt by members – when our backs are against the wall everyone becomes more motivated.

The final speech of the day was delivered by the widely respected, Niall Crowley. Introducing Mr Crowley to conference, Amnesty Ireland’s chief executive, Colm O’Gorman praised him for his work in the field of equality in Ireland. Mr Crowley told his audience of his dismay at the difficulties that the government was placing in the way of achieving equality. His friendly demeanour was warmly welcomed by conference. After Mr Crowley had spoken, the delegates all left to enjoy the sunshine and warmth of a Sunday evening in early May.

The annual conference was the culmination of months of work by the staff at Ballast House. I, as a member of Amnesty, would like to praise the good work done to ensure the smooth running of this year’s event. Thanks, in no particular order, to: Pina, Gail, Justin, Gerry, Sian, Siobhan and Kieran and to anyone I have missed here. You should be proud of the work you do. We all appreciate your input, especially in these difficult economic times. Thank you.

For further information on the work Amnesty does log on to: www.amnesty.ie

© Ian Callagy 2009