Ideas

Join Mir Hussain Mahdavi, a poet and cultural researcher, alongside Wolayat Tabassum Niroo, a Fulbright scholar focused on Afghan women's music, and talented musicians Wares Fazelyar and Sara Soroor. They discuss how music serves as a vital link to homeland for the Afghan diaspora, exploring themes of loss, resistance, and identity. From the power of traditional songs to the resilience of female musicians, the conversation touches on music's role in healing and community during times of conflict, creating a rich tapestry of memory and hope.

Ammar Azzouz, an architectural critic with firsthand experience of Syria's destruction, shares poignant memories of his hometown, Homs. Nasser Rabbat, an MIT professor, delves into the historical roots of urbicide and its impact on social diversity. Hiba Bou Akar and Nada Moumtaz explore Beirut's reconstruction after civil war, emphasizing how urban planning exacerbates territorial divides. Together, they discuss the long-term implications of urban destruction and the complex relationship between cities and their residents, highlighting both trauma and resilience.

Guests Rachel Kowalski, a pediatric emergency physician and fiction writer, and Joshna Maharaj, a food activist, explore the disconnection between hospitality and modern hospitals. They discuss how lack of comfort impacts patient dignity, while Carol Rawcliffe and Kevin Siena reveal medieval hospitals’ roots in care and community. Maureen Lux highlights the troubling history of segregated healthcare for Indigenous peoples. The conversation culminates in envisioning culturally safe spaces and healing food practices for all patients.

Elena Asayev, an archaeologist rethinking migration through ancient insights, David Goldstein, a literature professor delving into biblical hospitality, and Sandy Hilal, an architect championing community projects, come together to explore hospitality's impact on migration. They discuss ancient Greek conventions of guest-host relationships and their contemporary significance. The conversation also touches on the vulnerability of hospitality, the blurring of host-guest roles, and the potential for grassroots actions to redefine who gets to welcome whom.

At age 11, writer Andrew Lam fled Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon. Nearly 45 years later, he returned to a radically different city. He believes "you will be cursed with longing" if you continue to search for the feeling of home you had in the past.At a time when more people have been forcibly displaced from their homes than at any other time in history, IDEAS explores what it means to return home years — or decades — later. *This is the first episode in our five-part series, The Idea of Home, which originally aired on June 13, 2022.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Alex Neve, a seasoned human rights lawyer and advocate, challenges Canada's self-image as a human rights leader. He explores the urgent human costs of conflicts like Gaza and the systemic failures that undermine universal rights. Neve emphasizes the necessity to confront colonial legacies and Indigenous injustices, while advocating for a renewed agenda focused on universality and justice. He highlights the impact of global policy shifts on Canada and calls for proactive measures to champion rights and protect defenders for a more equitable future.

Alex Neve, a seasoned human rights lawyer and former leader at Amnesty International Canada, captivates audiences with compelling stories of resilience and activism. He reflects on the heartbreaking beauty of communities like Jorlo, where names symbolize rights and memory. Neve highlights the power of belief in driving grassroots movements, from Anti-Apartheid to contemporary Indigenous resistance. With poignant anecdotes of art transforming personal pain into advocacy, he showcases how local actions ripple globally, igniting collective hope and solidarity.

In this engaging talk, human rights lawyer Alex Neve explores the idea that our inherent rights are yours from birth, not a privilege to be earned. He shares eye-opening stories from his visits to camps in Syria and highlights the struggles of Canadians caught in geopolitical crossfires. Neve critiques how power creates a 'club' of rights based on race and wealth, while discussing the importance of grassroots activism. His passionate discourse challenges listeners to reflect on the universality of human rights and the collective action needed to uphold them.

Alex Neve, a human rights lawyer and former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, explores the pivotal years following WWII that reshaped human rights. He discusses the origins of these rights and highlights the importance of historical context. Neve examines how concepts like dignity and reciprocity connect diverse cultures and impact current crises. He reflects on the breakthrough of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its contradictions with colonial legacies. The conversation urges a renewed commitment to uphold these universal ideals in today’s world.

Alex Neve, a seasoned human rights lawyer and former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, dives deep into the challenges facing universal human rights. He discusses the disturbing realities of refugees losing rights at borders and highlights the Rohingya crisis as a stark example of these failures. Neve passionately addresses the rising threats of disinformation and hate that erode equality. He ultimately emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements and civil society in reclaiming accountability to revive faith in human rights.