One of the most popular strands of the annual Galway International Arts Festival is the First Thought Talks, a series that explores the issues and challenges facing the world.

Topics this July will include Trump’s presidency; the wars in Gaza and Ukraine; the importance of kindness in the health system; the growth of conspiracy theories, an imbalance in the GAA, political trauma and injustice; autism and talent; the challenge of climate transition, and human creativity.

Resistance to Trump will feature Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in conversation with journalist and author Fintan O’Toole, on Saturday, July 26, at 6pm in the University of Galway’s Bailey Allen Hall.  Pramila, who came to the United States on her own aged 16, is the only South Asian-American woman ever elected to the US House of Representatives. She serves on the US House Budget, Foreign Affairs, Judiciary, and Steering and Policy Committees. A leading advocate for women’s and immigrant rights, and economic justice, she is the author of the Medicare for All Act. And she’s a leading opponent of Donald Trump.

Scottish artist David Mach continues his almost-20-year connection with the Festival this July, with his new installation Burning Down the House. He’ll be in conversation with GIAF director, Paul Fahy on Tuesday, July 15, at 11am in the Festival Gallery, William Street.

Annela Anger-Kraavi, who leads the Climate Change Policy Group at the University of Cambridge, will ask So Where Are We Now? on July 15, at 1pm in UG’s Bailey Allen Hall. She’ll share insights on what’s happening and what needs to be done to drive meaningful climate transition.

Award-winning Palestinian photo-journalist Eman Mohammad will be in conversation with Irish Times journalist Roisin Ingle on July 19 at 5pm at the Bailey Allen, discussing A Witness with a Choice.

Her work documents Israel’s killing and destruction in Gaza over the years, but also reflects on the resilience and ingenuity of a persecuted population. The first female photojournalist in Gaza, Eman initially faced prejudice from male colleagues but held firm and her work is more important now than ever.

Earlier, at 10.30am that Saturday, at that venue, in Autism and Talent, Professor Francesca Happé, artist Lorraine Tuck, and writer, actor and autism advocate Jody O’Neill will be in conversation with Jane Conway.

At 3.30pm, Second Captain Ciaran Murphy and sports historian Paul Rouse will join journalist Sinead O’Carroll for Double-edged Sword, exploring the decline in rural GAA clubs as  urban clubs see an upsurge.

That evening at 7pm, Fintan O’Toole will join historian and curator of the First Talk series, Catríona Crowe to discuss Malignant Narcissism in the White House.

At noon on July 19, journalists Máiría Cahill and Kathy Sheridan will be Speaking Truth to Power, in the Bailey Allen. Máiría, born into a prominent Belfast republican family, was raped when she was 16 by a republican, and subsequently suffered a traumatising ‘investigation’ by the IRA. Later, she was let down by Northern Ireland’s justice system. She waived her anonymity to tell her story.

At 2pm in the Bailey Allen, historian Phillips P. O’Brien and journalist and author Lara Marlowe will ask What is Happening in Ukraine? as that country’s bleak situation continues.

Teacher Eoghan Cleary, DCU Professor Debbie Ging and journalist Patrick Freyne will be in conversation with journalist Dearbhail McDonald on July 20 at 11am in the Bailey Allen, exploring Adolescece and Toxic Masculinity.

Meawhile Roisin Ingle will discuss Kindness in our Health Service with TCD’s Professor of Psychiatry Brendan Kelly at 1pm that day.  In an Irish Times column some months ago, Roisin wrote about her cancer and the kindness of the staff in the chemotherapy day ward at the Mater Hospital. Professor Kelly is a practising psychiatrist and mental-health historian who has written many books on the subject.

On Saturday, July 26, at 10.30am, Ciaran O’Connor and Cian O’Mahony will discuss Conspiracy Theories with Elaine Burke in the Bailey Allen

Ciaran has written reports for the Institute for Strategic Dialogue on Irish right-wing conspiracies and misinformation, while Cian is studying new approaches to critical thinking, to help people distinguish between fact and lies.

Food is on the menu when Gerry Godley of Breadman Walking will team up with TCD Professor Norah Campbell and UCC lecturer Ruth Hegarty to discuss Irish Food, its Joys and Malcontents at noon that day.

At 2pm, Eoghan Daltun will be in conversation with environmentalist and former Green Party politician Saoirse McHugh. Eoin documented how he saved a dying rain forest in the Beara Peninsula in his book An Atlantic Rainforest. His experiences have implications for rewilding and the management of Ireland’s national parks.

Also that Saturday, at 4pm, the  Irish border is the topic of Where Did They Draw the Line? when historians Diarmaid Ferriter and Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh will talk about the momentous report of the Boundary Commission, 100 years ago.

COPE, Galway’s service for homeless people, older people and people experiencing domestic abuse, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and the Festival will mark that milestone with a talk on July 27 at 11am in the Bailey Allen.

It will focus on domestic abuse, as Gillian McNamee, Head of COPE Domestic Abuse Services, and CEO Michael Smyth, discuss with author Elaine Feeney how society’s response to gender-based violence has evolved since COPE opened its refuge.

The final talk this year will focus on sea swimming.  Dee Newell, who has swum the English Channel, will join Rebecca Braun of the University of Galway, an avid sea swimmer, at 1pm on July 27 in the Bailey Allen.

More information on these events and booking at giaf.ie.

Pictured left: Palestinian photo-journalist Eman Mohammed will discuss her work in Gaza, in conversation with journalist Roisin Ingle. PHOTO: BRET HARTMAN and right: US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal will talk about Resistance to Trump, in conversation with journalist Fintan O’Toole.