Real-life stories of courage and purpose, taking listeners into the heart of the most complex social and political issues facing our world.
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.
Key themes: Overcoming poverty, gender equality, girls education, youth in peacebuilding, social justice, Sierra Leone, African development
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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.
Key themes: Afghanistan, Taliban and Womens' Rights under The Taliban, Religious Extremism, Robotics & STEM Education, Women's Empowerment, Entrepreneurship
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Once settled in Europe, Sarah's efforts to provide emergency response and humanitarian aid for refugees resulted in charges against her. She spent 107 days inside a high-security Greek prison for alleged crimes including people-smuggling, spying, violation of state secrecy laws and money laundering. Large-scale social media campaigns and demands from European Government officials and leading human rights organizations advocated for Sarah's innocence, under the slogan "humanitarian action is not a crime." In this episode, we learn about the Syrian refugee crisis, the harrowing journey that many refugees take to find safety, misconceptions about migrants, and the complexity of humanitarian action.
Key themes: Refugees, humanitarian action, Europe migration, crimes against humanity, humanitarian activism and advocacy.
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In this episode, we learn about the colonial history of Yemen and the civil war that broke in 2015. We also talk about what Arab Spring meant for Yemen, the massive food insecurity caused by the country's ongoing conflict, and through Mokhtar's lens, how coffee and responsible farming practices can be used as a tool to unite and heal a population.
Key themes: Entrepreneurship and social innovation, Agriculture, Yemen War, Famine & Food insecurity, Coffee Culture.
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In this episode, two former world leaders discuss multilateralism and why effective global partnerships are the best defense against existential threats, including the pandemic that we are facing today. We unpack the reasons for the diminishing levels of trust in public leadership and the paralysis that some believe is affecting the UN's ability to respond effectively to COVID-19 and other global threats. Why is an effective multilateral system and principled leadership the world's best defence against existential threats from pandemics to climate change; from cyberattacks to war? Is the United Nations Security Council effective? What does collective responsibility look like?
Key themes: International affairs, multilateralism, the United Nations, UN Security Council, COVID-19 global response, and how to curb existential threats including climate change and the threat of nuclear war.
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In spite of the cards she was dealt, Nujeen was defiant and fought for a better future — eventually going on a 3,500 mile journey to escape the war in Syria on a wheelchair. In this episode, we'll hear about how Nujeen resettled as a student and activist in Germany, gaining global visibility as one BBC's 100 most influential and inspiring women for her refugee rights and disabilities advocacy. Through her story, we explore the migration of communities impacted by war and turmoil, as well as the grit needed to start a life in a new culture and community.
Key themes: War in Syria, Disabilities, Humanitarian Action, Refugees, Migration.
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How has the urgency of action needed for the Covid-19 response impacted our ability to focus on the climate agenda and development in the African context? How do female leaders deal with the demands of pressing global issues? Does women's leadership differ from leadership of male leaders?
Key themes: Women's leadership, women in policy making, feminism, COVID-19 response, and the progress of development in Africa and on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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In this episode, we talk about key concepts and the impact of climate change on natural disasters, the responsibility of fossil fuel companies and what each of us can do to save our planet.
Key themes: Climate Change, Youth Activism, Climate Action.
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In this episode, two former presidents discuss conflict, climate, and the search for justice in the time of coronavirus. We will unpack ethics in times of war, the role of women in peace building, and what can be done to ensure vulnerable populations are not disproportionately impacted by disasters.
Key themes: Ethics and war, the role of women in peace building, how to ensure vulnerable populations are not disproportionately impacted by disasters and covid-19.
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In this episode we discuss LGBTQ+ advocacy, human rights abuses and violations based on sexual orientation, and the importance of asking questions and creating spaces to discuss diversity and inclusion.
Key themes: The episode dives into topics including LGBTQI rights, human rights, gender quality, hate crimes
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In this episode, we'll discuss justice, intersectionality and the COVID-19 response with two leaders at the forefront of defending human rights. We explore our responsibility toward the world's most vulnerable populations and how to ensure the COVID-19 response does not set back human rights trends globally.
Key themes: The episode dives into topics including Human Rights, Ethical Leadership & COVID 19.
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We follow the story of Loung Ung, a human rights activist and author of the best-selling book "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers," which decades later was turned into a film by actor and filmmaker Angelina Jolie.
In this episode, Loung recounts her harrowing escape from terror and political instability as a child soldier, and how ultimately turned her trauma into activism.
Key themes: The episode dives into topics including forced displacement, war in Vietnam, crimes against humanity, and activism.
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Our first episode takes us to Uganda, which has been plagued by civil unrest and rebellion since the 1980s. We dive into Victor's life, a young man, wise beyond his years, who refused to be enlisted as a child soldier. Growing up in between refugee camps, Victor was forced to confront his inner demons for survival, and won. Victor was hailed a hero for peace in his country, becoming the youngest ever African nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2015.
The episode dives into topics including genocide, mass atrocities, child soldiers, peace and reconciliation.
Key themes: The episode dives into topics including genocide, mass atrocities, child soldiers, peace and reconciliation.
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Through real-life stories of courage and purpose, Finding Humanity takes listeners into the heart of the most complex social and political issues facing our world. By bringing you voices from the front lines of war and injustice, host Hazami Barmada peels back the layers that surround today's massive challenges.
Each episode puts a human face on a global topic that is overwhelming and difficult to grasp— be it the refugee crisis, climate change, or LGBTQ discrimination. While set in unfamiliar places, Finding Humanity tackles recognizable themes: love of family, finding hope, and overcoming personal struggles. Our podcast weaves insights from human rights and development experts at the United Nations and leading institutions, while providing listeners with tangible steps to make a difference.
Finding Humanity is a joint production of the Humanity Lab Foundation and Hueman Group Media. Our inaugural season is made possible in part by our collaborating partner, The Elders.
Finding Humanity inspires the activist in each of us, to create a better tomorrow, today.
The Humanity Lab Foundation is an innovative non-profit movement-building organization that harnesses the power of empathy and people to drive social change. The Humanity Lab works to realize the untapped capacity and passion of every-day people to be partners in solving complex global issues. Through the 3 pillars of it's work (creative, education, engagement), the Humanity Lab aims to disrupt the status quo in global development to catalyze sustainable change.
By leveraging technology, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the Office of the President of the United Nations General Assembly, the Humanity Lab hosted the first ever virtual Summit during the United Nations General Assembly (Global People's Summit) with the mission of "democratizing access to convesations that shape the world".
Hueman Group Media ("HGM") is an award-winning podcast company for social change. HGM produces impactful and high-caliber podcasts for leading nonprofit organizations, purpose-driven companies and thought leaders, amplifying conversations around today's most important causes and issues — including gender inequality, climate change and mental health. HGM podcasts cater to diverse, socially conscious and deeply curious audiences. With the power of storytelling and riveting conversations, HGM activates listeners to take action and make a positive impact in their communities.
Founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007, The Elders are an independent group of global leaders working together for peace, justice and human rights. Currently chaired by Mary Robinson, a former President of Ireland and UN Human Rights Commissioner, their vision is of a world where people live in peace, conscious of their common humanity and their shared responsibilities for each other, for the planet and for future generations.
They work both publicly and through private diplomacy to engage with global leaders and civil society at all levels to resolve conflict and address its root causes, to challenge injustice, and to promote ethical leadership and good governance. Their key areas of work include Climate Change, Nuclear Non-Proliferation & Disarmament, Conflict, Universal Health Coverage, Access to Justice and Refugee & Migration.
Hazami Barmada is a thought-leader, seasoned global strategy consultant, social innovator, and international public speaker. Hazami advises governments, businesses and organizations on design and implement effective social impact strategy, public-private partnerships, public affairs strategy. Prior to founding the Humanity Lab Foundation, she held several positions at the United Nations, including the Coordinator for the United Nations Secretary General's World Humanitarian Summit, global engagement and communications head for the UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth, and innovation advisor to United Nations Human Settlements Programme. Hazami has a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University where she was also a Fellow in Public Policy and Management at The Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is a Presidential Leadership Scholar and was described in Forbes as an "inspirational change agent".
How This Woman Is Mobilizing Millions Of Global Change Makers
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