Contributers: Geraldine Byrne Nason (Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations) Ambassador Nason is a career diplomat who has represented Ireland across Europe and in various international cooperation settings. Brendan Cahill (Executive Director, Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs, Fordham University) For nearly twenty years Mr. Cahill has created, directed and taught humanitarian programs throughout the world. Mary Robinson (Co-founder and Chair of The Elders) H.E. Mary Robinson was the first woman elected president of Ireland (1990 to 1997). She served as the former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997-2002), and currently serves as President of the Mary Robinson Foundation for Climate Justice. Michael D. Higgins (President of Ireland) President Michael D. Higgins is currently serving his second term as the ninth president of Ireland. Previously, he held positions as Ireland’s first Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. Jemilah Mahmood, M.D. (Under Secretary General for Partnerships, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) Prior to joining IFRC, Dr. Mahmood served as the Chief of the World Humanitarian Summit secretariat at the UN. She is also well known as the founder of MERCY Malaysia. Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, PhD (Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces) Admiral Mellett has served in the Irish Defence Forces for over 40 years, and was the second Naval Officer in the history of the Irish State to be awarded “The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM). Jamie McGoldrick (United Nations Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory) Mr. McGoldrick is a career-long humanitarian, who has held positions in Yemen, Nepal, and Georgia, among others. Caitriona Dowd, PhD (Assistant Professor in Security Studies at Dublin City University) Dr. Dowd’s research concerns the dynamics of political violence in sub-Saharan Africa, with particular attention to the targeting of civilians in humanitarian crises, and the use of new and emerging methodologies for violence monitoring. Matthew Hollingworth (United Nations World Food Program Country Director and Representative in South Sudan) Mr. Hollingworth is a career-long humanitarian who has worked for the WFP for 19 years. The regions of focus for his work are the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe. Anne-Laure Duval (Global Head of Protection at the World Food Programme) Ms. Duval is a career-long humanitarian who has held various international positions in Jordan, Syria, and New Zealand, among others. Simon Coveney, TD (Tánaiste of Ireland and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade) Tánaiste Simon Coveney currently serves as Deputy Leader of Fine Gael and has over 20 years of experience working in politics and international affairs.