Mary Robinson to chair ‘The Elders’

FORMER President Mary Robinson has been appointed chair of ‘The Elders’, an international group of public figures noted as human rights advocates and elder statespeople.

Ms Robinson will become the third leader of the non-governmental group which was founded in 2007 by former South African president Nelson Mandela.

She succeeds the late Kofi Annan in the post.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney congratulated Ms Robinson on the honour, saying: “Her appointment... is recognition of her long and courageous engagement in the causes of international peace, justice and human rights. She takes up this position at a time when the world needs to hear strong voices advocating for multilateralism and international cooperation.”