The Scholars at Risk Ireland section presents a special event featuring an opening address by President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. The President's address will be followed by dialogues with scholars from Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey and Sri Lanka, moderated by Senator Ivana Bacik, Dr. Roja Fazaeli and Dr. Jude Lal Fernando of Trinity College Dublin. The dialogues will focus on current conditions for academics and higher education communities in the scholars' home regions, and the role of the global higher education community in protecting the human rights of scholars and promoting academic freedom worldwide. Dr. Patrick Prendergast, Provost and President of Trinity College Dublin and Professor Patrick O'Donovan, Head College of Arts, University College Cork will provide welcoming remarks. Speakers will also include representatives from Universities Ireland and the Scholars at Risk network.