The Next Page

Dr. Filippa Lentzos on biological threats in the 21st century

Last year, 2020, marked the 45th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention that was negotiated at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. It was the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of weapons of mass destruction. It prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons. Last year also saw the outbreak of a major pandemic that humanity is grappling to bring under control.
In episode 45, we meet with Dr. Filippa Lentzos, who holds a joint appointment as Senior Research Fellow at the Department of War Studies and the Department of Global Health & Social Medicine at King’s College London, and who is also a regular participant as NGO Coordinator at meetings of the Biological Weapons Convention in Geneva. Dr. Lentzos explains more about her work and her book Biological Threats in the 21st Century, sharing her thoughts on multilateralism for security in this field, providing insights on how to prepare for and respond to outbreaks of disease, and giving us glimpses of emerging technologies. Underlying the conversation is the theme of the importance of moral frameworks. 
Resources 
Learn more about Dr. Lentzos and her work: http://www.filippalentzos.com/
Biological Threats in the 21st Century (Book): https://bit.ly/3uhhiw2
United Nations Biological Weapons Convention: https://www.un.org/disarmament/biological-weapons 
Access the episode transcript here: https://bit.ly/3qtdsxn
Content 
Speakers: Dr. Filippa Lentzos and Amy Smith
Host: Amy Smith & Karen Lee 
Editor/Producer: Karen Lee 
Images: Dr. Filippa Lentzos
Graphics, social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced by the UN Library & Archives Geneva 

Kris Monteith on activating youth voice #KnowledgeRising

Today, we continue with our series Knowledge Rising dedicated to listening to young changemakers. In episode 44, we are joined by Kristeena Monteith.
Kris is the creative producer at Talk Up Yout, a suite of multi-media platforms, and executive producer of Talk Up Radio that gives Jamaican Youth a voice and focuses on tackling issues affecting young people. It’s also led, produced and driven by young people and after almost a decade of existence the platform is firmly identified with youth upliftment and empowerment. Not surprisingly, with her dynamism and as a leading activist, Kris was also chosen to be a class of 2018 UN Young Leader for the Sustainable Development Goals. 
As a young person herself, Kris speaks on the importance and necessity of activating youth voice and shares the many ways she is using the Talk Up Yout platform to not only encourage young people to speak, but others to listen.
Resources 
Access the episode transcript here: https://bit.ly/3qb7XCR
Learn more about Kris and her work: https://www.kristeenamonteith.com/ 
Learn more about Talk Up Yout and Talk Up Radio: https://www.talkupyout.com/  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TalkUpYout 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkupyout/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/talkupyout 
A special mention to Talk Up Radio’s other superstar co-producer, Andrica Rigg! 
Youth and Organizations Mentioned 
Kevaughn Ellis - Inner-city Development Youth Association (IDYA): https://www.instagram.com/innercitydya/ 
Chelsea Wright - Girls Who Know: https://www.instagram.com/girlswhoknowja/ 
Dainalyn Swaby - Global Yaadie: https://www.instagram.com/globalyaadie/ 
Najeeb "Jeeby Lyricist" Spence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2TarEMxFfk 
Not mentioned: 
Isheba Cornwall - Empower Youth Tees: https://www.instagram.com/empower_youth_tees/ 
Content 
Speakers: Kris Monteith and Natalie Alexander 
Host: Amy Smith 
Editor/Producer: Karen Lee 
Images: Kris Monteith 
Graphics, social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced by the UN Library & Archives Geneva 
 

Dr. Hope Elizabeth May on Bertha von Suttner and the power of positive history

This episode introduces a key figure in the 19th century peace movement: the Austrian writer, activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Bertha von Suttner. Who was she, what did she work towards, and how does her contribution connect to our present day? Dr. Hope Elizabeth May, Professor of Philosophy and the Director of the Center for International Ethics at Central Michigan University, joins The Next Page to share more about Bertha and her current research as part of the Bertha von Suttner project. 
This episode is a companion to the event held on 26 January 2021 at the UN Library and Archives Geneva, Bertha von Suttner: A Woman Ahead of Her Time, where Dr. May and Colin Wells (Project Manager of the Total Digital Access to the League of Nations Archives), explore her role as an activist and political thinker, her influence on the establishment of the  first multilateral institutions, and her action in favor of international peace.  
In spite of her achievements, unthinkable for a woman of her time, many do not know about her work and life. This episode, as well as the online event, are designed as an introduction to her work and ideas. We hope you enjoy!
Resources:
Episode Transcript: https://bit.ly/39hdKkZ 
To watch the replay of the online event, visit: https://bit.ly/2JZ1prQ 
Explore resources about Bertha and the peace movement at the Library & Archives in this Research Guide on Bertha von Suttner: https://libraryresources.unog.ch/vonsuttner 
Learn more about the Bertha von Suttner Project: https://www.berthavonsuttner.com/ 
Content
Speaker: Dr. Hope Elizabeth May
Host/Editor: Natalie Alexander
Producer: Natalie Alexander
Images: Dr. Hope Elizabeth May
Social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee & Natalie Alexander
Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva
 

Dr. Gabriele Balbi on Techno-diplomacy and Global Communications

Technology has always been an integral part of our lives and our work, but the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted its role in many new ways. In episode 42, we are joined by Gabriele Balbi, Associate Professor in Media Studies at USI Università della Svizzera italiana. As an expert in media history, his work and research are also greatly connected with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the UN system.
In this conversation, Professor Balbi speaks on the rich evolution and growth of global communications, looking at its history from the telegram to the Internet. He also defines the concept of techno-diplomacy, and further explains its role in multilateral collaboration and conversation.
As we face rapid digitization and a "new normal", Professor Balbi also touches upon the new challenge of Zoom fatigue, and the need to balance our digital and physical worlds.
We hope this episode brings you new insights and perspectives, not only to our present but equally to our past!
About Professor Gabriele Balbi
Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2XNe3xc
Prof. Gabriele Balbi is Associate Professor in Media Studies at the Institute of Media and Journalism (IMeG), Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, USI Università della Svizzera italiana (Switzerland).
At this institution, he is also program director of the Bachelor in Communication, director of the China Media Observatory, vice director of the Institute of Media and Journalism. Furthermore, he is Chair of ECREA Communication History Section and International Liaisons Representative of the ICA Communication History Division.
Prof. Balbi's research is focused on media studies with a historical and long-term perspective. His research is at the crossroads of media studies, the history of technology, media archaeology, Science and Technology Studies, the political economy of communication, and cultural studies.
About the ITU
ITU History Portal: https://bit.ly/3irH1Mv
ITU's First 150 Years: https://bit.ly/3ioQep7
ITU Connect 2030 Agenda: https://bit.ly/39QOiSu
Resources
Episode transcript: https://bit.ly/3nSrPct
History of the International Telecommunications Union: Transnational Techno-Diplomacy from the Telegraph to the Internet (Book): https://bit.ly/39XCXA7
Content
Speakers: Professor Gabriele Balbi & Karen Lee
Host/Editor: Karen Lee & Natalie Alexander
Producer: Karen Lee
Images: Gabriele Balbi
Social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva
 
 

Dr. David Day on Learning to be a Leader

Happy New Year to all of our listeners. 
In Episode 41, our Director Francesco Pisano speaks with Dr. David Day, Professor of Psychology at Claremont McKenna College and Academic Director of the Kravis Leadership Institute.
Are leaders born or made? What defines a leader, and how is the concept of leadership evolving as we question the type of leaders we need to meet our global challenges? As we make our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, what can we learn about being a leader? Dr. David Day, a leadership specialist, speaks on the need for three-dimensional leaders, the difference between leader development and leadership development, and looks to the future and what the next generation of leaders might look like. 
In a time where creative, collaborative, and courageous leadership is essential, Dr. David Day encourages us all to be leaders – in any capacity in which we serve. 
About Dr. David Day
David Day, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at Claremont McKenna College and Academic Director of the Kravis Leadership Institute, Steven L. Eggert ‘82 P'15 Professor of Leadership and George R. Roberts Fellow. Previously he was Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Woodside Chair in Leadership and Management at The University of Western Australia Business School.
Resources
Kravis Leadership Institute: https://www.kravisleadershipinstitute.org/
Episode Transcript: https://bit.ly/2KKytnh
Content
Speakers: Dr. David Day & Francesco Pisano
Host/Editor: Natalie Alexander & Karen Lee
Producer: Karen Lee
Images: The Kravis Leadership Institute
Social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library & Archives Geneva
 

Prof. Bertrand Badie on inter-sociality and the multilateralism of the future

In this brief English addition to Episode 40 – originally recorded in French – Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert, Chief of the Institutional Memory Section at the United Nations Library&Archives Geneva speaks with Professor Bertrand Badie, a French political scientist and emeritus professor at Sciences Po Paris.
In this short summary of the conversation, Professor Badie captures the essence of his new book, Inter-socialités: le monde n’est plus géopolitique. In his book, he argues that international relations have become inter-social rather than geo-political.
 
Resources 
Learn more about Professor Bertrand Badie's new book Inter-socialités - Le monde n'est plus géopolitique: https://bit.ly/2WoAhF7
Read the transcript here: https://libraryresources.unog.ch/c.php?g=673332&p=4880979&t=16152
Access the UN Library&Archives Geneva research guides and resources here: https://libraryresources.unog.ch/tools
Content
Speakers: Professor Bertrand Badie & Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert
Host/Editor: Pierre-Étienne Bourneuf
Producer: Karen Lee
Images: Citoyens du Monde / Éditions la Découverte 
Social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced at the United Nations Library&Archives Geneva

40: L’inter-socialité et le multilatéralisme du futur, selon Professeur Bertrand Badie

Dans cet épisode de The Next Page, Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert, Cheffe de la Section de la Mémoire institutionnelle à la Bibliothèque&Archives des Nations Unies à Genève, accueille le professeur Bertrand Badie pour parler de son dernier livre Inter-socialités - Le monde n'est plus géopolitique. 
Professeur à Science Po Paris, le professeur Badie est un des spécialistes français des relations internationales les plus connus et reconnus. Auteur de nombreuses publications, ses domaines de recherches portent sur la sociologie des relations internationales, les droits de l'homme et le multilatéralisme. 
Dans ce podcast, le professeur Badie explique comment le concept d’« inter-socialité » peut nous permettre de mieux comprendre le monde dans lequel nous vivons aujourd’hui. En effet, en examinant les dynamiques du système international d’un point de vue inédit, cet épisode de The Next Page nous amène à réfléchir sur la relation entre le politique et le social, le rôle de la notion de puissance dans les relations internationales, la place de l’Etat dans un monde westphalien de plus en plus contesté, et les transformations provoquées par la mondialisation. 
Cet épisode est également l’occasion pour entendre le professeur Badie sur sa vision du multilatéralisme. Pour lui, le multilatéralisme du futur doit évoluer en s’inspirant de l’histoire, notamment de la notion de solidarité sociale internationale conceptualisée par Léon Bourgeois, un des pères fondateurs de la Société des Nations et lauréat du prix Nobel de la paix en 1920. 
Ressources/Liens
Inter-socialités - Le monde n'est plus géopolitique: https://bit.ly/2WoAhF7
Bertrand Badie est aussi auteur de nombreux articles scientifiques, contributions et ouvrages comme New perspectives on the international order : no longer alone in this world et Nouvelles guerres : comprendre les conflits du XXIe siècle. N’hésitez pas à consulter notre base de données pour avoir accès aux publications disponibles à la Bibliothèque&Archives des Nations Unies à Genève: https://libraryresources.unog.ch/tools
Contenu:
Intervenant(e)s: Professeur Bertrand Badie & Blandine Blukacz-Louisfert
Animateur: Pierre-Étienne Bourneuf
Réalisation et montage: Karen Lee
Image: Citoyens du Monde / Éditions la Découverte 
Enregistré et produit à la Bibliothèque des Nations Unies à Genève

39: Professor Kathryn Lavelle on Multilateralism as "Contrasts in Motion"

In episode 39, we continue our exploration of multilateralism by looking at the challenges of multilateralism and discussing Professor Kathryn Lavelle’s new book on that topic.
Kathryn Lavelle is the Ellen and Dixon Long Professor in World Affairs at the Department of Political Affairs at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where she has worked for the past eighteen years. Professor Lavelle is a permanent member of the New York Council on Foreign Relations and is a global fellow of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars in its Global Europe programme. She also serves as a member of the editorial review board of the UNCTAD journal Transnational Corporations.
In this conversation with Francesco Pisano, Director of the Library & Archives, Kathryn Lavelle takes us on a journey through her book The Challenges of Multilateralism. Starting with the historical context in which multilateralism emerged and the creation of major problem-solving organizations, she points to how the perception of multilateralism has changed over time. She highlights some of the challenges and the dynamic progress from which these arise, before they move on to discuss International Organizations and what the multilateralism may look like in the future.
Professor Lavelle’s book is an accessible read for anyone interested in global development, public health, the environment, trade, international finance, humanitarian law and security studies.
 
Resources 
Learn more about Professor Kathryn Lavelle's new book The Challenges of Multilateralism: https://bit.ly/37Mol5j
Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/3m1FTj0
The Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars: https://www.wilsoncenter.org/
Graduate Institute Geneva: https://www.graduateinstitute.ch/home.html
Arctic Circle Assembly: http://www.arcticcircle.org/
Content
Speakers: Professor Kathryn Lavelle & Francesco Pisano
Host/Editor: Amy Smith 
Producer: Karen Lee
Images: Courtesy of Kathryn Lavelle
Social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced at the Library & Archives UN Geneva

Carla McKirdy & Klas Moldéus on co-creation and Young UN: Agents for Change #KnowledgeRising

Today, we continue with our Knowledge Rising Series dedicated to conversations with young activists, knowledge-shapers and change-makers. In episode 38, we are joined by Carla McKirdy and Klas Moldéus, members of Young UN: Agents for Change.
Established in 2016, Young UN is a cross-UN, global and inclusive network with more than 2,000 members across UN entities in over 80 duty stations. A voluntary and decentralized global network, Young UN fosters a space to catalyze, amplify and accelerate change by crowdsourcing ideas, driving innovation and advocating for cultural change for UN values and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the bottom-up.
Carla and Klas speak on the values of the Young UN network and their ongoing mission to create a space where innovation and new ideas are encouraged and developed. The two also speak on bridging the gap between Young UN and the mechanisms of the larger international bureaucracy of the United Nations, and the continuous ways they are collaborating and conversing with many different parts of the organization.
Just as “Agents for Change” is the network’s motto, Carla and Klas also emphasize the importance of embodying these very words themselves, in their everyday. As young professionals, and young UN staff members, they continue to work towards a shared vision of a UN that fully embodies the principles it stands for.
About Carla McKirdy
Carla has years of experience in communications and advocacy, encompassing journalism, content marketing, knowledge management and multimedia production in both the private and public sectors. Carla has worked for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In addition, she has worked for the Department of Global Communications (DGC) in New York, United States, the United Nations Assistance to the Khmer Rouge Trials (UNAKRT) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands in different capacities. Currently, she is working at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), as the Associate Public Information Officer on the Young Professionals Programme (YPP).
About Klas Moldéus
Klas Moldéus is working with United Nations Water based in Geneva, Switzerland. Having grown up in Sweden, he has since led sustainable development and startup initiatives in countries including Myanmar, Kenya and Ethiopia. Klas Moldéus is a passionate advocate for sustainable development and innovation, and as part of the Young UN network he has contributed to several initiatives promoting environmental sustainability, bottom-up approaches and driving innovation at the UN.
Resources 
Learn more about Young UN: http://www.young-un.org/
Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/364KLit
Content
Speakers: Klas Moldéus & Carla McKirdy
Host/Editor: Natalie Alexander 
Producer: Karen Lee
Images: Photos by Klas Moldéus / Carla McKirdy
Social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced at the UN Geneva Library & Archives 
 
 

37: Philosopher and Professor Souleymane Diagne on achieving our humanity together

Episode 37 brings you a philosophical view on global cooperation, multilateralism and diversity. We speak with Professor Souleymane Bachir Diagne, a Senegalese philosopher who is currently the Director of the Institute of African Studies, as well as Professor of French and of Philosophy at Columbia University in the City of New York. 
In this conversation, Professor Diagne shares the need to replenish pluralism and diversity in the practice of philosophy today, and to understand the bridges that have connected the philosophies of the world throughout history. He also reflects on global languages, and how each language itself brings a perspective on the world that tests the universality of our own thinking.  
We also touch upon philosophy in our daily lives - how can the principles of philosophy help us to face our common global challenges, including the climate crisis and pandemics? He shares the philosophical concepts he believes are critical to restitute in order to move forward together. 
We hope this episode brings you food for thought and action. 
Resources 
Learn more about Professor Souleymane Diagne: https://french.columbia.edu/content/souleymane-bachir-diagne
Find out about Professor Diagne’s books and publications: https://french.columbia.edu/content/diagne
Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/2Hf94AK
Content
Speaker: Professor Souleymane Bachir Diagne
Host/Editor: Natalie Alexander 
Producer: Karen Lee
Images: Photo by Charlotte Force / Columbia University in the City of New York. 
Social media designs and transcript: Karen Lee 
Recorded & produced at the UN Geneva Library & Archives