The Global Citizen: a podcast by Katoikos.world

Reimagining our Relationship with the Earth: the Eco Principle | Arthur Dahl

What do the words economy and ecology have in common? What can coral reefs teach us about world governance? What can we do to push for a better future on a healthy planet?
 
🎙️ In today’s episode of the Global Citizen podcast, we’re joined by Arthur Dahl, president of the International Environment Forum and retired Deputy Assistant Executive Director of UNEP. Arthur’s path has spanned many fields, from studying coral reefs as a biologist, to working extensively with the UN as a consultant on environmental assessment and sustainability.
 
🌍 Arthur is the author of the 1996 book “The Eco Principle”, a treatise on reevaluating our direction and reorganizing our societies to create a truly sustainable global civilization. The concept of the eco - a self-organizing system of sorts - is used extensively throughout the book in order to explore the shaky relationship between the living planet and our ongoing extractive economic activity.
 
In this chat, Arthur was kind enough to share his fascinating theory and its frameworks with us. We examined the intersection of economy and ecology, discussed current models of production and trade and their failures, and explored ways of enabling small - but real - change by simplifying our lives, changing our consumption habits, and activating our political instincts.
 
Thank you for tuning in!
 
Sponsored and published by:
📰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰
🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏛️ 
The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

#31 - ROMALAND - art as a vehicle of change | Avraam Goutzeloudis & Eleni Tsetsekou

The Roma people have been living in the European continent for centuries. Yet, they still face rampant discrimination, racism, significantly fewer opportunities for integration, and more often than not, a background of poverty and exclusion. Still, their contribution to the European cultural tapestry is as enormous as it is neglected and unacknowledged. In this episode, we had the pleasure of talking with Avraam Goutzeloudis, actor in the “Romáland” performance, a theatrical journey across Greece's contemporary history through the perspective of Roma people, and Eleni Tsetsekou, head of the Roma and Travellers division of the Council of Europe.In our chat we explored subjects such as what it’s like to grow up Roma in contemporary Greece, the relationship of the Roma culture with modern European society, the systemic obstacles faced by Roma people in their rocky and tumultuous life paths, as well as the transformative power of art - especially theatre - to change hearts and minds, raise awareness, and connect people through the power of empathy and the transmission of lived, personal experience. Sponsored and published by:📰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠⁠🏛️ The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

CHANGE MAKERS #6 - « El ajedrez me salvó la vida » – la lucha de una periodista colombiana contra la impunidad | Claudia Julieta Duque

🎤 En este episodio, entrevistamos a Claudia Julieta Duque, una connotada y valiente periodista y defensora de derechos humanos de Colombia.🕵️‍♀️ Claudia Julieta lleva una larga y distinguida trayectoria de investigar y escribir sobre varios casos sensibles. En esta entrevista, nos enfocamos en uno de los más emblemáticos y de mayor impacto -- su investigación del asesinato del periodista, humorista y activista por la paz, Jaime Garzón, en 1999. La investigación impulsada por Claudia Julieta en un contexto de amenazas de muerte contra ella y su hija, llevó directa e indirectamente a cambios institucionales muy significativos en Colombia.Sponsored and published by:📰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠⁠🏛️ The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

#29 - Giving a voice to the people of Myanmar | Joah McGee

In this episode, we spoke with Joah, host of the Insight Myanmar podcast and founder of Better Burma, a humanitarian organization supporting the people of Myanmar under military rule.Joah shared how his first visit to Myanmar in 2003 as a Vipassana meditator sparked his passion for the country’s spiritual traditions, inspiring him to create Insight Myanmar, a platform for Burmese monks, meditators, and activists. Originally focused on Buddhism, Insight Myanmar expanded after the 2021 coup to amplify stories of resistance and hope.We also listened to excerpts from his podcast, offering intimate glimpses into life under dictatorship—marked by fear but also resilience and hope. Joah highlighted how storytelling fosters connection, turning his podcast into a vital space for unheard voices and global solidarity.We invite you to tune in to hear Joah’s story for yourselves and to discover more about the wonderful work he does in support of our Burmese brothers and sisters. Sponsored and published by:📰 ⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠ 📰🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠🏛️ The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

CHANGE MAKERS #5 - Cuando se transformó el sistema electoral mexicano | José Woldenberg

This is a special episode in Spanish. Please stay tuned for the English version, coming soon!En este episodio, conversamos con José Woldenberg, connotado politólogo mexicano que desempeñó un papel clave en la transición democrática de su país como uno de los primeros consejeros ciudadanos del Instituto Federal Electoral – el IFE – y luego como Consejero Presidente del IFE durante los años 1996 a 2003.José nos cuenta sobre su experiencia de construir y hacer funcionar una institución electoral autónoma e independiente, y de ahí, organizar elecciones transparentes, legítimas e imparciales por primera vez en la historia de México.Lo que escuchamos de esa experiencia nos pareció de gran relevancia actual, ya que el día de hoy, estamos viendo cómo el cuestionamiento del papel de los órganos de administración de elecciones está alimentando una erosión de confianza en la democracia en varias partes del mundo. En el mismo México, ha venido causando mucha polémica unas propuestas de reformas significativas al Instituto Nacional Electoral impulsadas por el actual gobierno.Justo en tiempos como estos, nos parece bueno conocer y aprender de un esfuerzo colectivo monumental y a la vez gradual y minucioso que llevó a México a la democracia contra todo pronóstico.Sponsored and published by:📰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏛️ The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

CHANGE MAKERS #4 - The first woman at the helm of UNICEF | Carol Bellamy

In this episode, we spoke to Carol Bellamy, former Executive Director of UNICEF. Carol spoke to us with admirable candor about her experience of leading UNICEF at a pivotal time in the organization.
In particular, what was it like to try to broaden the focus of the organization toward fully embracing the all-encompassing vision of the Convention on the Rights of the Child? How did she deal with the management challenges of running an organization with over 10,000 people working all over the world? What do you do when you are faced with serious wrongdoing by your own staff? And what did these experiences tell her about her own strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
Thanks for tuning in, and we hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did!
Sponsored and published by:
📰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰
🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏛️ 
The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

CHANGE MAKERS #3 - The diplomatic challenge of recognizing the state of Palestine | Fernando Carrera

In the 2nd part of our interview, Fernando Carrera shared with us how he navigated the treacherous geopolitics of recognising the State of Palestine as minister of foreign affairs of Guatemala.
Fernando recounted a tricky encounter with the Jewish American Committee during Guatemala's push for the recognition of Palestine, a tense diplomatic showdown with Netanyahu himself, how Israel publicly reacted to the move in the wake of the announcement, and much more.
You can listen to part 1 of this discussion by following this link.
Sponsored and published by:
📰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰
🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🏛️ 
The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

CHANGE MAKERS #2 - Guatemala vs the War on Drugs | Fernando Carrera

What makes you agree to work for a right wing, ex-military President when you have spent much of your life working to defend and promote human rights? What is it like to work with that President to change the longstanding international strategy of waging a War on Drugs? How do you face down the Primer Minister of Israel who is unhappy about your country recognizing the State of Palestine? And what drives you to call on your own President to step down?
These were some of the questions Jason and Yoriko asked Fernando Carrera, former Foreign Minister of Guatemala, in this second episode of CHANGE MAKERS. The answers were always fascinating and often surprising, with some valuable lessons about how politics – particularly geopolitics – works in real life. In fact, the conversation was so engrossing that we decided to extend it over two episodes!
Thanks for tuning in!
Sponsored and published by:
📰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠⁠ 📰
🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠⁠🏛️ 
The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

CHANGE MAKERS #1 - Incorporating sex education in Costa Rica’s schools | Leonardo Garnier

Welcome to the first episode of Global Citizen: Change Makers. In this special subseries, we interview leaders from diverse walks of life who have worked to achieve big changes. Changes in different spheres, including individual communities, institutions, entire nations or at the global level. We talk to politicians, activists, leaders of international organizations and others about the most challenging decisions they have taken part in as they sought to transform the world around them. 
Our guests share firsthand accounts of how they navigated the stormy waters of local, national and international politics in order to bring about change, often in the face of daunting challenges, including, in some cases, threats to their lives.
For our first episode, we interviewed Leonardo Garnier, former Minister of Education of Costa Rica. Leonardo told us about how he sought to turn Costa Rican schools into places of learning, not only of the skills needed to get a good job, but about how to live well, including how to love and to take pleasure in sex, responsibly. This was a radical change in a Catholic country where conservative and authoritarian views of education still prevailed. Leonardo faced vehement opposition, including numerous lawsuits brought before the Constitutional Court. 
Our chat was a captivating exploration of how you take a transformative vision and turn it into tangible change through public policy, winning support from key actors and overcoming resistance both big and small. At the same time, it was also a reflection on the limits of policy and politics in sustaining such changes in the face of shifting political currents.
Thanks for tuning in!
Sponsored and published by:
📰 ⁠⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠⁠ 📰
🏛️ ⁠⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠⁠🏛️ 
The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.

#23 - Fostering community and social cohesion through music | Zoe Zeniodi

In this episode of the Global Citizen podcast, we're talking with Zoe Zeniodi, a conductor and artistic director of El Sistema Greece, a community music project that provides free music education to children and young people in Greece.
After a short chat on Zoe's personal experience as a woman in the world of conducting, we discussed about the impact of El Sistema on social inclusion, and the transformative power of music in building community and fostering emotional connections. Zoe shared personal anecdotes and insights into how music serves as a tool for empowerment and change, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, and how it can connect people's hearts on a profound level.
We hope you enjoy our conversation!
Sponsored and published by:
📰 ⁠⁠katoikos.world⁠⁠ 📰
🏛️ ⁠⁠FOGGS ⁠⁠🏛️ 
The opinions expressed in this podcast by the host(s) and/or guest(s) do not in any way represent the official positions of FOGGS, katoikos.world, or any other affiliated organization.