Canon Collins Trust’s Post

Here are some highlights from my new podcast, Reality Check - talking democracy, leadership and the society we wish to build. More than 60 countries are going to the polls this year. From the US to South Africa, Russia and the EU, democracy is on the ballot! Here's are some powerful commentators, reflecting on South Africa's future.

Coups and the Threat of “Feel Good” Militarism in Africa The latest episode of the People, Power, Politics podcast is out now! I really enjoyed this conversation, which provides a fresh and important perspective on recent events in West Africa and beyond. Brilliant insights from Rita Abrahamsen that helps to explain some of the most important issues of our time. Check it out 👇 https://lnkd.in/embHFrpw

As another week in parliament starts, a reminder that we shouldn't forget what last week's shenanigans with the Speaker and the subversion of democratic processes. Take a listen to the latest Podcast of Ideas, the Academy of Ideas team and guest Mark Birbeck to discuss chaos in the Commons, the rise of #Antisemitism and what might happen next in the #Gaza war. https://lnkd.in/ePNDH9sM

Here is the latest "A View from Afar" podcast with Selwyn Manning. We discuss the subject of "Post-Colonial blowback and Global Conflict" using Palestine, New Caledonia, South Africa, India and New Zealand as examples of some of the differences and complexities of the post-colonial experience, then turn to the impact these have on the rise of the Global South. https://lnkd.in/g5ed3_6n

Free Speech Matters Episode.1: 'The Landscape is Darkening' – A Review of Freedom of Expression in South Africa Welcome to the FSU SA's podcast series on free speech and everything pertinent to it good, bad or perplexing. The series will deal with local and international issues that either have a bearing on South Africa or could provide valuable lessons or insights for South Africans. Episode 1 is an interview with the Prof. Anton Harber and researcher Alan Finlay on the report compiled by the Campaign for Free Expression. The report reveals the issues that have increasingly posed a threat to freedom of expression between 2018 and 2023.  https://shorturl.at/aFN58

It's been a year since the war in Sudan erupted. Today, violence persists, fighting continues and so does foreign meddling. In the middle, civilians are paying the cost of a war they never chose. However, the appointment of Tom Perriello as US Special Envoy offers a glimmer of hope. Will the diplomat manage to meet expectations? This is what we discover in MENA Stories' latest episode.

Dictatorships harness the technology tools and algorithms incubated in democracies to suppress democracy and silence opposition voices. In episode 3 of the #PoliticsPossible podcast, David Smolansky and Mu Sochua tell me and my co-host Alena Popova how authoritarian regimes do this in Venezuela and Cambodia - and how this challenges the major tech platforms. Listen to our wide-ranging discussion with David and Sochua, prominent Venezuelan and Cambodian oppositionists, both now exiled, who managed to get elected to office in authoritarian systems despite the odds - and tune in for other exciting episodes on all of the major podcast platforms and at politicspossible.com.

It was great speaking with the Politics365 podcast about what it means to be a Persian-American participating in public life this past week. A democracy cannot function without the participation of its citizens, regardless of background. So many critical issues cross cultural lines and unite us, it’s good to be reminded from time to time. I look forward to many more discussions like this. If you’re interested in listening to the entire episode, make sure you follow Shahriar Afshar and click this link: https://lnkd.in/ewMB3KpY

📣 Check out our latest Policy Chats Podcast Episode! In this episode, we got the opportunity to speak with UN Senior Policy Advisor Manav Sachdeva, about about his insights from his decorated career in international policy and how he works to help countries navigate from conflict to stability. 🌎 🎙️ Listen to the episode here: https://lnkd.in/gvD2CyTy #ucriverside #ucrspp #Policy #policychange #policydiscussions #policymakers #publicpolicy #unitednations #internationalpolicy #globalpeace #development #internationalconflict #Afghanistan #Liberia #economicdevelopment

Do Palestinians live under apartheid? On the latest Messiah Podcast, Pastor Dumisani Washington compares the struggles for civil rights in America and South Africa with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If you enjoyed this sample of Messiah Podcast episode 55, check out the full episode at messiahpodcast.org.