Tom White Memorial Lecture

You can read about Dr O’Rourke’s newest publication here. The book is available through open access it here.

In this lecture Dr Maeve O'Rourke will discuss key aspects of her recently published book, Human Rights and the Care of Older People: Dignity, Vulnerability, and the Anti-Torture Norm (Oxford University Press 2024). We will consider key forms of care-related mistreatment experienced by older people across the world. We will explore ways of understanding human dignity, which can pierce through the ageism currently masking and justifying so many people's suffering and deprivation of agency. We will further examine states' (including the Irish State's) obligations under human rights law to prevent and protect from violations of the rights to liberty and to freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment.

A reflection from a Humanist perspective will be offered, before an open discussion among attendees and speakers. Refreshments and further informal discussion to follow.

Tom While was a humanist, writer, deep thinker and friend to many. This event is hosted by members of Humanists West (Galway), Westport Humanists, North-West Humanists (Sligo) in Tom’s memory.

Host or Publisher Humanists West, Westport Humanists, North-West Humanists