One September 29, Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and UN High Commissioner, attracted over 500 people from the Madison community to the Mildred Fish-Harnack Human Rights and Democracy Lecture. Robinson discussed the importance of academic research on human rights. Her speech coincided with the public launch of the UW-Madison Human Rights Initiative, the first public initiative that redefines human rights to include cultural and social elements. The Division of International Studies and the Human Rights Initiative proudly welcomed Robinson to UW-Madison and appreciated her enthusiasm toward their new project.