Beyond the Headlines

Quantum Computing: Queries to Navigate the Future

In a day and age where technological innovation and informationprocessing systems are driving economic development in society, there exists a frontier that promises to redefine the very fabric of computation. Welcome to Quantum Computing. In today’s Beyond the Headlines Podcast join us as we unravel and explore the future of how theprinciples of Quantum computing can revolutionize the way we process information. From groundbreaking research to real-world applications, we'll navigate through the complexities of quantum mechanics and discuss the incredible potential and challenges of this cutting-edgetechnology. As policymakers grapple with the implications of quantum computing for global security, specifically in the context of privacy issues, and for the global economy, this BTH podcast seeks to ask the crucial queries about how this transformative technology may shapefuture policies and regulations.

Crossroads of Crisis: COVID, Care, and Gender-Based Violence in Canada

In today’s episode, we delve deep into the critical issues surrounding gender equality in Canada, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We explore the major challenges and developments in gender equality, paying special attention to the disturbing rise in gender-based violence during this period and how it varies across different regions in the country. Our conversation then extends to examining areas where Canada shows promising signs of gender equality, along with an in-depth look at the care economy. We discuss Canada's response to the care economy during and after the pandemic, comparing it with global best practices.
 
Content warning: Please be aware that in this episode, we will be discussing topics related to gender-based violence, which might be sensitive or triggering for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

Truth First: The Legacy of Canada’s Residential Schools

*Trigger Warning: This episode includes content dealing with upsetting, sensitive, and potentially triggering themes including institutionalized modes of oppression, sexual violence, and violence against children.
 
Today’s episode delves into the history and enduring consequences of Canada's residential school system. With a focus on understanding the systemic abuses inflicted upon Indigenous children and communities, we examine the roots of the residential school system and its devastating effects on Indigenous cultures and identities.
In the first segment, Kaila Johnston provides an overview of the history of residential schools in Canada, discussing their role within the broader context of colonialism and the suppression of Indigenous cultures. She also explains the methods used within the system to suppress Indigenous languages and cultures and clarifies the term "cultural genocide." Kaila addresses common misunderstandings about residential schools, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging their impact on Indigenous communities.
Tyler Pennock then discusses the long-term impact of residential schools on Indigenous communities, focusing on intergenerational trauma and cultural loss. They emphasize the crucial need for Canadians to acknowledge and confront the truth of residential schools for reconciliation. Tyler also discusses Indigenous storytelling and knowledge, providing guidance for non-Indigenous Canadians seeking to educate themselves further. 
 
Further resources:
Residential School history.
Learn whose land you are on.
Justice, D., Carleton, S., Truth before reconciliation: 8 ways to identify and confront Residential School denialism (mentioned by Kaila).
Tyler Pennock’s website.
Indian Horse’s movie trailer (mentioned by Kaila).
Books for adults on the topic of residential schools.

China’s Evolution: From Reform to Retract

This episode examines China’s dramatic transformation over recent decades, transitioning from rapid economic growth and liberalization, particularly post its 2001 WTO accession, to a phase of increased tensions with Western nations. This shift, amidst rising geopolitical tensions and internal policy shifts, demands a deeper, more nuanced understanding that goes beyond traditional top-down analyses. The focus is on a bottom-up approach that prioritizes gaining insights directly from individuals who have been actively involved in and have firsthand experience of these changes. This narrative offers a concise yet comprehensive view of China's changing role in the global landscape and its complex implications both at home and abroad.

Two years of War in Ukraine

It has now been two years since Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. Last year, in February 2023, there was a prevailing sense of optimism and hope as the Ukrainian armed forces were able to hold back the Russian advance and even reclaim large swaths of territory. Now, 12 months later, that sense of optimism has been diminished to a great extent. Disappointing results from the Ukrainian fall counteroffensive along with stiff Russian defenses has left the battlelines in Ukraine largely unchanged. Furthermore, faltering Western support, most notably from the, United States and some European countries risks depriving Ukraine of crucially needed funds, equipment, and ammunition. 
Through a conversation with Janice Stein from the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, the first segment will discuss the most important developments of the war in the last year as well as the Ukrainian, Russian, and North American perspectives of the war. 
In the second segment, we have a discussion with Andres Kasekamp, also from Munk School. This segment puts emphasis on the European point of view of the war and goes into more detail on the broader political trends that Europe faces right now.

Demographic Shifts: Exploring the Global Decline in Fertility Rates

The global decline in fertility rates poses significant challenges for socio-economic structures, with Canada experiencing a notable decrease that mirrors this worldwide trend. This reduction in birth rates leads to an aging population, straining healthcare, pension systems, and altering workforce dynamics. In Canada, the fall in fertility rates necessitates a reevaluation of immigration policies to counterbalance demographic shifts and maintain economic growth. The decline also prompts concerns about the sustainability of social support systems, as a smaller working-age population may struggle to support an increasing number of retirees. Addressing these implications requires comprehensive policy planning and international cooperation to adapt to the changing demographic landscape.

Unraveling the ‘Comfort Women’ Issue

*Trigger Warning: this episode includes content dealing with upsetting, sensitive and potentially triggering themes including sexual violence, torture, and death.*
The Japanese Military Sexual Slavery, known as the “Comfort women” history refers to the system of sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese government during World War II. From 1931 and 1945, between 50,000 and 200,000 girls and women across the Asia Pacific, were forced into sexual servitude where they were raped and abused by the Japanese military. Despite the history having gained international attention as survivors came forward to share their stories, it remains largely unknown and silenced. Regardless, survivors and human rights activists have fought to raise awareness and have demanded appropriate redress, aiming not only for future generations to be accurately educated about this dark history, but also so that this crime against humanity is not repeated.
In the first segment, Woohee Kim will provide the audience with a comprehensive understanding of the “comfort women” issue, exploring its historical background during World War II and addressing the current challenges faced by the survivors. 
We then delve into what it means to appropriately address this issue and promote reconciliation. In the second segment, Phyllis Kim also explores the significance of the Peace monuments in raising awareness around the 'comfort women' issue and provides insights into the activist journey of Grandmother Lee Yong-Soo.
We finish with Miki Dezaki, who helps us in debunking the 'comfort women' issue being dismissed as solely a political and emotional topic. He explores the significance of the silencing and denialism of such history and how we can overcome these challenges and achieve resolution and reconciliation through informed and respectful discourse.
Further Resources:
A compiled list of resources on the Japanese Military Sexual Slavery issue: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mFfRsEkUBMXXL9SjVxxJDamgU3XbcRGHcCmZkrKBKA4/edit?usp=sharing
CARE (Comfort Women Action) and their work: https://comfortwomenaction.org/
Women’s Active Museum on War and Peace: https://wam-peace.org/en/
Miki’s film, Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of the Comfort Women Issue:  https://www.amazon.com/Shusenjo-Comfort-Women-Japans-History/dp/B08SHLLN9T
Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of Comfort Women IssueApple TVhttps://tv.apple.com › movie › shusenjo-the-main-battl…
For insights into the movement: Embodied Reckonings: “Comfort Women," Performance, and Transpacific Redress by Elizabeth Son 
For insights into the history: Comfort Women: Sexual Slavery in the Japanese Military during World War II by Yoshimi Yoshiaki
For survivors’ testimonies: Stories That Make History: The Experience and Memories of the Japanese Military Comfort Girls-Women

Demystifying Climate Science: Achieving Climate Justice in the Era of Misinformation

Climate justice is once again making headlines. On today's episode, we sit down with Assistant Professor Hanna Morris and Professor Kariuki Karagia from the University of Toronto to discuss climate change as an intersectional barrier to social justice. This episode is a collaboration with the Munk School Environmental Working Group. The EWG is a student-led organization that aims to raise the profile of environment, sustainability, and climate-related issues at the Munk School, while providing a platform for students to explore the intersections of sustainability, environmental policy, and climate change as they relate to other pillars of public policy and global affairs.

Reimagining our Cities: Considerations in Urban Planning

The majority of Canadians, about 3 out of 4, live in one of Canada's large urban centres and Canadian Downtowns are growing more rapidly than ever before.  In the rise of pressing urban policy issues like housing affordability, transportation, climate change and resilience, and social equity and inclusion, how do we imagine the future of our urban centers? 
Today, we will turn to two experts to dissect their experiences working at two of the country’s largest cities: Vancouver, BC and Toronto, Ontario.

Will Canada meet its Sustainable Development Goals?

In 2015, 193 member countries of the United Nations agreed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), to be achieved by 2030. The SDGs are meant to be a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity by improving health and education, reducing inequality, and spurring economic growth – all while tackling climate change and preserving our environment. Now that it’s 2023, the clock is ticking, and the road to 2030 is at its halfway point.
That raises the question: are these goals still within reach?Or is this an impossible dream?
A Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) delegation comprising of four Canadian youth made it their mission to answer this question whenthey attended the annual High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, which is the central UN platform for the follow-up and review of the SDGs. In just a moment, you will hear from these YDC delegates as they chat about where Canada’s progress is with the 2030 SDGs, what it’s like to participate in a UN conference of this magnitude, and some of the key trends to look out for as the clock to 2030 counts down.