Ideas

Brutalist architecture sparks strong emotions and interactions with its concrete structures. The podcast delves into the legacy of iconic buildings, revealing the struggles tied to their demolition and the impact on communities. It uncovers the role of architecture in supporting local families and highlights the ongoing debate over the ethical implications of such designs. The resurgence of brutalism as a trendy aesthetic contrasts sharply with its original mission to serve working-class neighborhoods, prompting reflections on community identity and urban development.

If the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were rewritten today, what rights would we add to strive for a more just world? In the final episode of our five-part series, IDEAS looks beyond our fractured present and tries to imagine what new rights we need for our own millennium.

Delve into the significance of Articles 18 and 19 from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for free expression worldwide. Explore contrasting narratives from apartheid-era South Africa and Canada, revealing the complexities of group rights and individual representation. Personal stories highlight the importance of historical context in shaping today's freedoms. Discussions stress the need for critical reflection on our responsibilities to uphold these rights amidst modern challenges, urging individuals to consider their legacies.

Nahlah Ayed, an insightful journalist known for her work in human rights and displacement issues, dives into the critical topic of the right to leave, return, and seek asylum. The discussion unveils the tragic realities faced by migrants today, including crises at the US-Mexico border and in Libya. Ayed highlights the gap between human rights ideals and their implementation, while uncovering the dehumanization in migration policies. The episode urges a reevaluation of resource allocation towards humanitarian approaches, advocating for civic engagement and support for refugees.

The panel dives into the historical context and implications of Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stressing the importance of privacy in the modern world. A shocking revelation about a Canadian traveler surveillance program sparks a discussion on government overreach and tech companies. The conversation highlights how marginalized communities experience increased surveillance, underlining the need for robust privacy protections. They also explore privacy's evolution amid technological challenges and compare Canada's legal landscape with the EU's strides towards better data regulation.

Dive into a spirited discussion on the right to life, liberty, and security. Panelists share personal stories and historical insights, revealing how these concepts have evolved over 75 years. Explore the harsh contrasts between urban prosperity and homelessness in Toronto. Unpack complex interpretations of human rights and the tension between state security and individual freedoms. Plus, confront the climate crisis's impact on our understanding of security and highlight the role of love and youth activism in driving societal change.

For millennia, human beings along with their domesticated animals have travelled to bring sheep, goats, cattle, and other animals to better grazing areas. The ancient practice, known as transhumance, has been dismissed as an outdated mode of animal husbandry. Yet the practice holds promise for a sustainable future. *This episode originally aired on Nov. 25, 2022.

Robert Macfarlane says his writing is about the relationship between landscape and the human heart. His books share his encounters with treacherous mountain passages, mammoth glaciers flowing perceptibly into the sea, and harrowing descents into fissures inside the Earth. *This episode originally aired on Oct. 25, 2023.

The Arctic and the Amazon may be far apart geographically, but art connects them intimately. As part of a public art project bringing Indigenous artists from both regions together, Inuk artist Niap and the Shipibo artist Olinda Silvano worked on a mural that now graces the campus of Toronto Metropolitan University. They share their inspirations and their collaboration. *This episode originally aired on Oct. 23, 2023.

Hilary Peach, a welder turned boiler inspector, poet, and memoir author, discusses the challenges and joys of being an outsider inside the trades. Topics include historical labor exploitation, women breaking barriers in male-dominated trades, and the need for cultural shifts towards equity and inclusion in the workforce.