Finding Humanity

Lakhdar Brahimi, veteran conflict mediator and former UN diplomat, joins fellow Elder Mary Robinson to discuss peace, conflict, and leadership. In 2019 alone, 54 state-based conflicts and 67 non-state conflicts were recorded around the world – the highest number since 1946. While poor governance and corruption are leading causes of conflict, there are now new drivers of conflict such as climate change, growing inequalities, and forced migration. According to the United Nations Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA), almost a quarter of the world’s population live in countries and territories affected by crises and conflicts. The effects of conflict primarily affect poor and marginalized groups and people and one in every 70 people worldwide live in a conflict crisis setting and are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, according to the UN. In this episode, hosts Hazami Barmada and Mary Robinson discuss global trends in conflict with veteran UN diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi. What are the causes and consequences of conflict? What emphasis should the international community place on peacebuilding versus peacemaking and peacekeeping? What kind of leadership does the world need to shift current trends in war? How effective are current international systems, including the United Nations, at maintaining peace and curbing the consequences of conflict? -- This special series of Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media, in collaboration with The Elders. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @findinghumanitypod.

Issa Amro never wanted to be an activist. But when his university was occupied by the Israeli army and his dream of becoming an engineer came to a halt, Issa’s journey as a human rights defender and leader of nonviolent activist groups began. Issa is among a growing number of Palestinians who have embraced non-violent means of protesting Israel’s military occupation and expanding settlements, and who are increasingly finding those avenues of dissent blocked. The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which sets out in broad terms the human rights of all people. Exercising these rights - without fear or unlawful interference - is central to living in an open and fair society; one in which people can access justice and enjoy their human rights. Yet governments around the world routinely punish and imprison people for speaking out, even though almost every country’s constitution refers to the value of ‘free speech’. In this episode, we lay down the backdrop of Issa’s story: the history of the Palestine-Israeli conflict and how the establishment and expansion of the State of Israel resulted in the expulsion of 325,000 Palestinian residents. We dive into trends in silencing non-violent resistance and unpack how ‘active citizenship’ is fundamental to building a just, peaceful and prosperous society for all. Featuring policy and advocacy insights from experts: Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine Director at Human Rights Watch, and Avner Gvaryahu, Executive Director at Breaking the Silence. The Elders Special Segment Guest: Hina Jilani, Member of The Elders, Pioneering Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate. -- Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @findinghumanitypod.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a harmful practice that transcends religion, geography and class, and is carried out as a way to control women’s sexuality. While studying at the University of Texas, Maryum Saifee heard about FGM for the first time — which soon unearthed a dark memory from her childhood. According to the UN, gender-based violence is the most pervasive yet least visible human rights violation in the world. It is a global pandemic that affects 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. More than 200 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to the harmful practice of FGM.  This episode examines why FGM and other forms of gender-based violence are prevalent in societies. As a survivor, Maryum shares how cultural and religious norms allow perpetrators to go unpunished. We explore solutions to protect survivors and put an end to gender-based violence. Featuring policy and advocacy insights from experts: Prof. Yakın Ertürk, former UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Natasha Latiff, Human Rights Lawyer at SAHR and Women for Justice Afghanistan. The Elders Special Segment Guest:  Graça Machel, Freedom Fighter, International Advocate for Women’s and Children’s Rights, and Founding Member of The Elders. -- This episode is made possible with the support of Vodafone Americas Foundation. To learn more about their programs and how you can support their network of partners, visit vodafone-us.com -- Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @findinghumanitypod.

Diagnosed with a rare form of dwarfism called metatropic dysplasia, Brandon Farbstein was on the verge of ending his life at age 11. His suicide attempt was partly influenced by the bullying he experienced. But in spite of the emotional and physical turmoil he suffered since childhood, Brandon boldly used his voice and helped two pieces of legislation get signed into state law in Virginia. According to a 2019 UN study, each month almost one in three students globally is bullied. And in the US, youth suicide rates increased 56% between 2000 to 2017. In this episode, we look into causes and insights on bullying, cyberbullying, and their relation to youth suicide. We dive into the lack of legal and policy frameworks to prevent bullying in the United States and in other countries, as well as the role we can play in ending this epidemic. Featuring policy insights and advocacy insights from experts: Elly Stout, Director at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center at EDC, and Ilann Maazel, Partner at Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP. -- This episode is made possible with the support of Vodafone Americas Foundation. To learn more about their programs and how you can support their network of partners, visit vodafone-us.com -- Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @findinghumanitypod.

Every year, journalists around the world experience censorship, surveillance, and, in extreme cases of press suppression, imprisonment and murder. On July 22, 2014, Jason Rezaian, who served as Tehran bureau chief for The Washington Post, was arrested by Iranian authorities from his apartment, along with his wife. Globally, between 2015 and 2019, a total of 454 journalists were killed and 594 were imprisoned — and this number is increasing. This episode tells the ordeal Jason suffered while detained in Iran’s Evin Prison for more than 500 days. We discuss the troubled relationship between the United States and Iran and explore global trends related to media intimidation and the crackdown on journalists. Finally, we share some ideas on how listeners can advocate for freedom of expression and support journalists whose rights have been assaulted. Learn from expert voices: David Kaye, Professor of Law at UC Irvine School of Law, and Farnaz Fassihi, Reporter for the New York Times. The Elders Special Segment Guest: Hina Jilani, Member of The Elders and Pakistani Human Rights Advocate. -- Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @findinghumanitypod.

For some, fighting for change means risking it all, including one's own life. In Season 2 of the Finding Humanity podcast, we unpack the stories of people on the frontlines of change — those who put their bodies on the line to create an equitable and just world. What does it feel like inside a prison cell where your fate is unknown? What does it actually mean to stand up against racist structures that have the power to kill you? How do you manage fear when you infiltrate circles of power to expose corruption and wrongdoing? In telling stories of those seeking justice on the frontlines, Season 2 explores issues that lurk in the darkness of our societies. We share the horrors of human trafficking, the targeting and silencing of journalists, ethnic cleansing, racism, and gender-based violence — and the urgent action needed to reverse their impacts. -- This special series of Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @findinghumanitypod.

The five hottest years on record have all come since 2015. Antarctic heatwaves, melting glaciers, wave after wave of drought and wildfire, and an unremitting string of mega-storms: the effects of climate change have become ever more visible. At the end of 2020, the election victory of the new Biden administration and the global flurry of enhanced national and regional climate commitments offered renewed hope for the political engagement that is needed in the crucial decade ahead. Yet, the yawning gap between climate rhetoric and climate action remains and there is much to do if we are to safeguard a liveable planet for future generations. In discussion with Juan Manuel Santos, hosts Hazami Barmada and Mary Robinson will answer the questions: What are the implications of inaction on people and the planet? What does good leadership look like if we are to curb the threat of inertia on the climate crisis? How can we build the capacity of communities to cope with climate shocks? How can climate change be political but not partisan? -- This special series of Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media, in collaboration with The Elders. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @findinghumanitypod.

What kind of leadership do we need to avoid climate catastrophe? How do we prevent backsliding and a backlash against women's rights when as a world we have come so far? In these times mired in conflict and crisis, how do we reconcile the mistakes of the past and build a better future? Join Hazami Barmada and Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, former President of Ireland and former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, as they host a new special series of the Finding Humanity podcast with The Elders. To unpack some of the biggest threats humanity is grappling with today, each episode will draw on the expertise and life experiences of members of The Elders: former Presidents and Prime Ministers, UN officials, Nobel Peace Laureates, freedom fighters, and human rights champions, brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007. From leading nations out of conflict to defending the human rights of the most vulnerable, this series will explore how we, through our shared humanity, bold advocacy, and collective action, can challenge injustice and promote ethical leadership.  -- This special series of Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media, in collaboration with The Elders. Subscribe, rate, and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and on Facebook @@findinghumanitypod.

As Chernor Bah likes to say “out of misery there is opportunity” and this has definitely been true in his life. Through poverty, war, refugee camps and an epidemic, he has been able to advance his vision for a better world. As a girls’ rights advocate, Chernor has dedicated his life to strengthening the voices of youth in emergency settings in his home country Sierra Leone, as well as in Liberia, Lebanon, Haiti and Uganda. As a teenager, Chernor traveled the country listening to children’s stories, including those from former child soldiers. His drive was simple: to include children’s voices in Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding process. In this episode, we talk about the civil war in Sierra Leone, issues surrounding girls' education, the Ebola outbreak and how Chernor is fighting to rebuild his country and advance girl’s rights. Learn from expert voices: Dr. Zoe Marks, Public Policy Lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School Justine Sass, the Chief of Section Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality at UNESCO -- Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Our inaugural season is made possible in part by our collaborating partner, The Elders. Subscribe, rate and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and Facebook.

Roya Mahboob was born into a society where, under the tyrannical rule of the Taliban, women were increasingly invisible in public life. As a young girl, she lost her baby sister because her mother couldn't take her to a doctor without a male escort. Roya grew up in an environment where women were made to believe that they could never reach their full potential. Roya's life dramatically changed when she discovered computer technology, or what she called "the magic box that connected you to the world." She is now a tech entrepreneur and women's education advocate, becoming one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People at the age of 25. In this episode, we learn how Afghan women and girls are defying the odds of a patriarchal society, and the transformative power of STEM education to gain a foothold in one of the most conservative regimes in history. Learn from expert voices: Heather Barr, Acting Co-Director of Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch and former researcher on Afghanistan Farangies Shah, Policy Advisor at Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission Mina Sharif, a Civil Society Activist, TV and Radio Producer -- Finding Humanity is a production of Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Our inaugural season is made possible in part by our collaborating partner, The Elders. Subscribe, rate and leave us a review. For more information, visit findinghumanitypodcast.com. Follow us on Twitter @find_humanity and Facebook.