In this special live episode, Kumi discusses the connection between arts and activism with the renowned artist Olafur Eliasson and Molly Fannon, CEO at Museum for the United Nations - UN Live. In the face of collective action problems such as the climate crisis, one of the biggest weaknesses in activism is the inability to communicate its narratives, messages, and vision beyond certain groups of people. How can the work of artists help create change? What can art and activism learn from each other?This episode was recorded at an event hosted by the Robert Bosch Stiftung on the 20th April 2022.Our guests:Ólafur Elíasson is an Icelandic–Danish artist known for his large-scale installation art employing elemental materials such as light, water, and air temperature to enhance the viewer's experience. Regarded as a leading artist in bringing awareness of climate and environmental issues to the public, Ólafur’s work often focuses on the interaction  between spectator and environment, and the common ground between art and science. He currently lives and works in Berlin, where he was a professor at the Berlin University of the Arts. His studio now employs more than 40 people including  artists, architects, scientists, and technicians. Follow Ólafur’s work:Website: https://olafureliasson.net/Instagram: @studioolafureliasson Molly Fannon is the CEO of Museum of the United Nations - UN Live, a global institution based in Copenhagen with a mission to “unleash the power of culture to inspire local action and drive global change”. Before joining UN Live, Molly was Director of the Smithsonian’s Office of International Relations and Global Program, leading partnerships with major global organizations such as the World Economic Forum and governments worldwide. Molly’s early career centred around designing and managing largescale international development programs, funded by institutions such as USAID and the World Bank. Her professional experience spans more than 40 countries on 6 continents. Follow Molly’s work:UN Live website: https://www.museumfortheunitednations.com/LinkedIn-----------------------Click here to watch a full video version of this episode.Learn more about Power, People & Planet on the website:https://powerpeopleplanet.orgTo watch full episodes of the podcast follow Kumi's YouTube channelFollow Kumi on social media:LinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebook-----------------------Power, People and Planet is produced in association with the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy:https://greeneconomycoalition.orgAdditional support for the podcast was provided by the Robert Bosch Stiftung:https://www.bosch-stiftung.de/en

Power, People and Planet returns for its second season to tackle the toughest and most urgent questions of our time. In this new series of in-depth discussions, host and veteran activist Kumi Naidoo talks with guests from across the globe about the current state of activism, its failure, its successes and its future.In the most consequential decade in humanity's history, we must focus and improve our efforts not simply for change but for a just transition to a more equitable, more inclusive and more sustainable world.  ***Learn more about Power, People & Planet: https://powerpeopleplanet.orgFollow Kumi Naidoo:TwitterInstagramLinkedInFacebook***Power, People and Planet is produced in association with the Green Economy Coalitionhttps://greeneconomycoalition.orgAdditional support for this season was provided by Robert Bosch Stiftunghttps://www.bosch-stiftung.de/en

"We utilise the power of culture to our own benefit"Islam Elbeiti is a Sudanese bass player, radio presenter, and social change activist. She serves as Community Engagement Lead at The Innovation for Policy Foundation, Cultural Wave Support Lead at The Global Assembly and is co-founder of the Sudanese Innovation and Entrepreneurship Network.In this episode, Kumi speaks with Islam about her journey as a bass player, the enduring and transformative power of culture, the role that music played in the Sudanese revolution and changing attitudes towards female artists in Africa. ----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgIslam on Twitter: @islamelbeitiIslam on Instagram: @islamelbeiti-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet by visiting: https://powerpeopleplanet.org

"There is no alternative to alliances and there is no alternative to solidarity"Born in Mumbai, Lysa John started out building grassroots campaigns around urban poverty, governance and housing rights. Since then she has worked with Save the Children International and as Head of Outreach for the UN High Level Panel on the Sustainable Development Goals, and today describes herself as “a relentless enabler of activism.” She currently serves as the Secretary General of CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists. In this episode Lysa and Kumi discuss the future and vulnerability of citizen action and civil society, the limitations of international organisations, and the growing dangers of the widening inequality gap. They also speak about her early work as a grassroots organiser in Mumbai, outdated geo-political thinking and her idea that "the present system is not merely broken but deliberately malevolent".----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgLysa on Twitter: @lysajohnCIVICUS on Twitter: @CIVICUSallianceCIVICUS website: https://www.civicus.org/-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet by visiting: https://powerpeopleplanet.org

“What we need are good politicians… who understand how basic access to water and sanitation is, if you want to deliver on any other development priority ”Lawyer and human rights activist Catarina de Albuquerque made history as the first person to serve as United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to safe drinking water and sanitation (2008 - 2014). She currently serves as CEO of Sanitation and Water for All, a global multi-stakeholder partnership with the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation worldwide.In this frank and powerful conversation, Catarina and Kumi discuss the vital but often overlooked topics of water and sanitation. While access to these have been human rights since 2010 (thanks in part to Catarina’s work) she explains the ongoing crises and impacts that continue to affect billions in both the Global North and South. Water and sanitation, as you will hear,  are not just matters of health and well-being but impact every aspect of human development from security, to education, to national prosperity. ----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgCatarina on Twitter: @CatarinadeAlbuqSanitation and Water for All website: https://www.sanitationandwaterforall.org/-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet by visiting: https://powerpeopleplanet.org

“There are no prisons big enough for ideas. They can’t put our ideas behind bars. Your movement and what you work for will always be bigger than you.”Disha Ravi is an Indian climate and environmental activist. She is a founder and active member of Fridays For Future India with a focus on “MAPA” (most affected people and areas). Her arrest and detention by the Indian government in February of 2021 was met with widespread international condemnation. In conversation with Kumi, Disha shares her perspective as a youth climate leader from the Global South. She explains what it means to be part of a movement that is bigger than oneself, how the climate struggle differs between rich and poor countries, and speaks passionately about what brings her inspiration and keeps her fighting.----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgDisha on Twitter: @disharaviiDisha on Instagram: @disharaviiFridays For Future website: https://fridaysforfuture.org-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet by visiting: https://powerpeopleplanet.org

“The social contracts can always be negotiated. I think our responsibility actually is to be constantly negotiating what that social contract looks like. How we relate to each other. How we live with one another.”Dr Amara Enyia is a community organizer, lawyer and political strategist. A former candidate for Mayor of Chicago, she is currently the managing director of Diaspora Rising, an advocacy hub dedicated to strengthening the bonds amongst members of the global Black family.In this conversation, Kumi and Amara take an in-depth look at the relationship between cities and their residents, the intersection between environmental & urban justice issues, and what it means to be an organiser and activist on both local and international levels.----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgDr Amara Enyia on Twitter: @AmaraEnyiaAmara's website: https://amaraenyia.comDiaspora Rising website: www.diasporarising.org-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet by visiting: https://powerpeopleplanet.org

“Understanding that actually power lies inherent in us. It’s the responsibility and the rights and the beauties and the power to actually change society from within and outside.”Ashish Kothari is an Indian green activist, scholar and co-founder of the Kalpavriksh Environmental Action Group. He has served as chair of Greenpeace India, on the board of Greenpeace International and has been active with a number of people’s movements. He has also been part of the Indian government’s Environmental Appraisal Committee and other government initiatives. In this episode, Kumi and Ashish discuss alternatives to how societies can govern themselves, the need for radical ecological democracy and how activists can fight back against increasingly hostile governments.----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgAshish Kothari on Twitter: @chikikothariKalpavriksh website: https://kalpavriksh.org-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet by visiting: https://powerpeopleplanet.org

"Health is a public good. So if we have a market system that's not working for the public good, then that needs to change."Dr Tolullah Oni is a public health physician and urban epidemiologist. She grew up in Lagos and today is a Clinical Senior Research associate with the University of Cambridge as well as an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Cape Town. She is also Founder of UrbanBetter, an Africa-led, youth-privileged, science-based and equity-centred learning collaborative designing health and sustainability in cities.In this episode, Tolullah explains the deeper structural issues that surround public health, how cities can play an important role in health, and the failures the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed in our systems. ----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgTolullah on Twitter: @DrTolullahUrbanBetter website: https://urbanbetter.science/-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet by visiting: https://powerpeopleplanet.org

"There's nothing like watching the home that you live in being demolished by bulldozers to make you politically conscious."Growing up in Cape Town's District 6 in the 1970s, Tasneem experienced racial segregation, forced eviction and discrimination first hand. Her anti-apartheid activism eventually took her into politics, serving as a provincial environment minister in South Africa’s post-apartheid ANC government. As a radical minister within a conservative bureaucracy, Tasneem fought to connect environmental issues to poverty and development.Since then, Tasneem has served as WWF's head of global climate policy, going behind the scenes as head of delegation at the Paris Climate Talks, and now leads the Climate Action Network – the planet’s largest coalition for climate justice.----------------------Produced by the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy: https://greeneconomycoalition.orgClimate Action Network website: https://climatenetwork.orgSocial media: @TasneemEssop, @CANIntl-----------------------Learn more about the Power, People & Planet podcast, subscribe and find more episodes:https://powerpeopleplanet.org