Wheelock College: Mary Robinson's Commencement Speech

bit.ly Wheelock College's 2011 Commencement speaker, former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, praised the graduates at the May 13, 2011 ceremony for the commitment to service they have shown, and encouraged them to get involved in promoting "climate justice." While visiting Wheelock, many students recalled their service learning experiences to the former president. She came to the conclusion that service learning is deeply rooted in human rights. "Human rights isn't just about rights. It's also about duties and responsibilities," she said. She recalled one of her own journeys where she learned that the lives of African communities were the people's livelihood was being undermined by dramatic climate change. Seasons had vanished - the weather alternates between floods and droughts. Former President Robinson proposed changing the discussion and approach climate change not from whether it is real or not, but how we can help those affected by it, especially children. She suggests that every child in every classroom across the world should be learning about climate change: what it is and their responsibilities regarding what to do about it. She sees Wheelock students as prime agents of change who can make this vision become a reality.