Newsletter
Euros du Village
Gli Euros
Die Euros
The Euros
Los Euros
Ajouter un commentaireA Qualified Candidate
Robinson was Ireland’s first female Irish president, and arguably the best president the country has ever seen. Previous to holding this post, she spent twenty years as a Senator, gaining the respect of her colleagues and the public. Her election as President made her the first to hold this position without the endorsement of the ruling political party, Fianna Fáil. This speaks to her favour, as she was able to gain the support of the people without the ruling government’s persuasion. As president, Robinson was active in a traditionally ceremonial post, which she resigned from in order to take up an appointment as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a position that she held for five years. She has been honorary president of Oxfam International since finishing her work with the UN, also serving as chair of the International Institute for Environment and Development, the Council of Women World Leaders, and the GAVI Alliance. Additionally, Robinson has experience in the academic world. She was founder and director of the Irish Centre for European Law at Trinity College Dublin, is (the first female) Chancellor of the University of Dublin, and Professor of Practice in International Affairs at Columbia University.
Gender Roles
To argue that Robinson should be appointed because she is a woman is to discredit her achievements, and to suggest her appointment would be an act of positive discrimination. Undoubtedly, appointing a women to this high post will be a positive example for young women who dream of holding positions that their grandmothers and even mothers could have never considered possible. It is no secret that leadership positions in public and private organizations across the Union are still primarily held by men. Look at meetings of the European Council - Germany’s Angela Merkel is the only female head of state. The gender wage gap in the EU averages around 17%, and there has yet to be a female president of the Commission. The European Parliament has seen two female presidents, but it is not secret that this post holds relatively little power.
Obviously, these facts are not ideal. But appointing women over more qualified men, merely because of their gender sends the wrong message as well. To do so would be to suggest that women cannot reach the level of qualification and experience achieved by some males, and that to compensate for this, we better appoint females to a few top positions anyway. As regards Mary Robinson, the question of qualification need not arise. Her national and international experience in legislating as a senator, leading as a president and championing HR with the UN, to name just a few positions she’s held make her most certainly qualified for the job.
The European experience
- Mary Robinson at the European Parliament in 1999
-
Source : European Parliament Photo Service
Some critics suggest she is not fit for the job given her lack of experience in EU institutions. In reality, this makes her candidacy even more ideal. It is a poorly kept secret in Brussels that there is rivalry and competing complexes of self-importance between staff in the Commission, Parliament, and Council. Having never worked for these institutions, Robinson brings with her an untainted perception of what each institution contributes and how they might work together in a more cohesive manner. It must not be forgotten that knowledge about the EU does not depend exclusively on institutional experience. As a senator in Ireland, Robinson worked on EC matters in the Joint Committee on EC Secondary Legislation. She founded the Irish Centre for European Law at Trinity College, and acted as its first director. Interviews with her indicate that she does indeed have a comprehensive understanding of the EU, and a vision for its potential.
A long time campaigner for human rights, her appointment would ensure that the EU is held together by someone whose interests lie with the people, not the profit. Some have suggested that in light of last year’s negative Irish referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, appointing an Irish person as European Council President would be inappropriate and even a poor show of unity. This argument is illegitimate. The Irish may have rejected the Lisbon Treaty the first time around, but readers should be reminded that the French and Dutch also rejected key EU treaties in their time. Furthermore, Eurobarometer polls repeatedly indicate that the Irish have the most positive views of the EU and their EU membership among all EU citizens.
International Recognition
Despite all of these credentials, some critics persist, saying that Mary Robinson is simply not well known enough to hold such an important post. While she may not be a household name in every member-state, Robinson is very well recognized in international organizations and amongst high-ranking officials worldwide. This is perhaps most evident, if one considers just a few of the many prizes she has been awarded, such the Sydney Peace Price in 2002, as Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience award in 2004, and most recently the US’s highest civilian honour, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to her by President Obama in July of this year. Robinson has a reputation as a highly respectable and committed individual in international circles, and for the post of European Council President, this recognition is much more important than the recognition of EU citizens across the continent. As Council President, her job will focus more on working with member-state leaders and ministers than the average citizen.
Nevertheless, those concerned that she will not connect to the people must remember that as president of Ireland, her approval ratings topped 90%. Moreover, her relatively low-profile speaks more to the nature of the media than the quality of her character. Villains are splashed across the front pages, while the good deeds done by others take a secondary place. Many argue that Tony Blair is a good candidate for the job because is recognized globally. It’s true, he does have global recognition… for illegally invading Iraq with former President George W Bush, who himself is not exactly a hero most leaders seek to be associated with.
The choice for European Council President could not be more obvious. As the first female president of Ireland, Mary Robinson showed that a woman can have the credentials and public support necessary to be hold to a top post. As UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, she gained international recognition and respect. Now, Mary Robinson can bring respect and unity to the EU. Not because she is female, not because she is not Tony Blair, but because she has the experience, grace, and passion to rise to this challenging task.
The other view on Mary Robinson : Why Mary Robinson is not the ideal candidate for the post of the European Council President
Photo : www.flickr.com/ achumen fund
Ajouter un commentaire
(1)
