Grecia Rodríguez is a human rights defender who founded the Zacatecas Mining Conflict Observatory in 2016, an organization that has become an ally in the struggle against mines and dams that threaten the lives of people in Zacatecas, Mexico. The Observatory is an organization that, as far as possible, responds to the human rights crisis currently affecting Mexico, becoming a benchmark in documenting and accompanying rural communities in the defense of their territory. Grecia is part of the Mexican Network of People Affected by Mining (REMA) and is a member of the National Network of Women Human Rights Defenders in Mexico. She has a solid background in social research and a recognized international track record in the defense of human rights in relation to socio-environmental conflicts.

She has collaborated with national and international organizations dedicated to the defense of the environment and human rights, which has allowed her to effectively combine research with direct action in the field, linking the production of knowledge with concrete actions that address strategic national issues such as the water crisis and the defense of territories.

She holds a PhD in Rural Development from the Autonomous Metropolitan University, Xochimilco Unit (2024). She holds a Master’s degree in Social Sciences and Clinical Psychology from the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, and has complemented her training with research stays at high-level institutions such as CIDES-UMSA in Bolivia, ICTA at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and the University of the Balearic Islands in Mallorca. In addition, she has shared her experience in key international forums, such as the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) in Berlin, the University of Victoria in Canada, and the Dublin Platform in Ireland, consolidating her presence in academic and advocacy spaces with a global reach. His academic output includes publications on socio-environmental conflicts in north-central Mexico and women’s participation in the defense of territory, as well as opinion articles aimed at critical dissemination.

https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/grecia-eugenia-rodriguez-navarro

Dr O’Dochartaigh joined DCU Business School in 2020 as Assistant Professor in Accounting. She is an expert in sustainability accounting and responsible business.

Aideen’s research is interdisciplinary in nature and incorporates environmental social and governance (ESG) reporting practice and regulation, carbon accounting and budgeting, the circular economy and the bioeconomy. She has published in leading international academic and professional journals including MIT Sloan Management Review, Journal of Product Innovation Management, Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal and Environmental Research Letters. Her work has transdisciplinary impact on industry, society and policy; she has published high-impact research reports and regularly provides opinion pieces and invited comment on sustainability to national and international media.

Aideen previously qualified as a chartered accountant (FCA), training in practice with Deloitte Ireland, and completed her PhD on sustainability accounting at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She serves on a pro bono basis on the An Taisce Climate Committee and works on a voluntary basis with several climate and social justice community groups and NGOs in Ireland.

I am a proud Guatemalan mestizo gay man, born after the civil war and “Peace Accords”, (also known as the Mayan Genocide; 1960-1996), with a background in Journalism, Media, and Communication from the San Carlos University in Guatemala City. My life has been dedicated to fighting for justice, equality, and human rights. This commitment has come at a profound personal cost. My activism began early, when I was expelled from the University of San Carlos (USAC) for opposing fraudulent dean elections and systemic corruption within the faculty. This was followed by being fired from a subsequent job for my efforts to organize workers and unionize, clear retaliation for my stand on workers’ rights. Despite these targeted reprisals, I continued my work a militant, union leader, and student leader, tirelessly amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and pushing for systemic change. This trajectory of resistance ultimately led to death threats, forcing me to relocate to Ireland in exile.

This challenging transition did not extinguish my passion but refueled it in a new context. In Dublin, I have continued my commitment to community building and solidarity. As a Peer Support Leader with the Outhouse LGBTQI+ Centre, I provide a vital lifeline, through monthly meetings at “Safe Space”, for fellow community members, drawing on my own experiences to foster resilience and connection. My work extends to education as a cornerstone of empowerment, teaching English Lessons with Trinity College Dublin’s program for Migrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers, helping to break down barriers and build bridges for those starting new lives.

Further, I have dedicated myself to increasing the visibility of the Hispanic and Latin American community in Ireland. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Latin America Solidarity Centre (LASC), I have helped organize conferences, cultural festivals, and political actions that spotlight our stories, struggles, and contributions, fostering a deeper understanding and forging strong cross-cultural alliances.

The challenges I have faced, from political expulsion and professional retaliation to forced exile, have profoundly shaped my resilience, determination, and deep appreciation for education. These experiences motivate my pursuit of higher education, not only to build a better future for myself but to contribute meaningfully to society. Despite the physical distance, my identity and experiences continue to drive my work. I remain steadfastly committed to the Global South struggle, building solidarity across borders and working toward a future rooted in justice, dignity, and respect for all.