Spur Radio

How is financial risk quantified by those within the system, and what are the human factors – gut feelings, hormones and/or emotions – that impact that? From risky lending practices, to packaged financial instruments like mortgage-backed securities no-one really understood, the post-mortem on the financial crisis revealed the degree to which human irrationality, bias and cognitive errors drove the financial decisions of those at the top. Rotman School of Business Professor Dilip Soman sits down with journalist Sheelah Kolhatkar and researcher Dr. John Coates to explore the confluence of economics, psychology and neuroscience that influence human decision-making in a sector whose actions dictate the well-being of the world.

There was a time when political affiliation was passed down through generations, when families stood by political parties through thick and thin. Today, young people are turning their backs on partisanship labels that would have them waving Liberal, Conservative or NDP flags. Youth regularly refuse to devote themselves to a single camp (only 1% of Canadians are members of political parties) and make their decision on election day, perhaps casting a strategic or single-issue vote, if they vote at all. How are political parties responding to this new reality and working to garner the long-term support of Canadians? Is keeping options open good for democracy? Does partisanship increase with age? Can parties still win the allegiance of this youthful cohort, which will eventually make up the majority of voters? Spur brings together award winning journalists Susan Delacourt and Martin Patriquin, along with pollster Eric Grenier and moderator Jane Hilderman to hash out the details.

Sally Armstrong says, “The economy is the ticket that women can ride,” and that, “We can no longer afford to oppress half our population”. She details an international realization of the vast economic and financial benefits that come with bringing women to the table. According to Armstrong, this financial recognition is being coupled by a gradual change in mindset. Today, change is being led by individuals with immense personal will, whether it is Pakistan’s Malala or Kenya’s Milly. Where is this change happening and who is leading it? How are they different from women’s movements from the past? Who continues to stand in the way of progress? Armstrong gives us her take. This event is available free to LRC subscribers or to all those who sign up for our special event subscription offer of $49 for one year of the LRC. Otherwise tickets are $10 for the general public or $5 for students with a valid ID. Tickets can be purchased or reserved by clicking here. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the event begins at 7:00 pm. Sally Armstrong is a journalist and human rights activist. She is a three-time Amnesty International award winner, and was a member of the International Women’s Commission at the U.N. She is a Member of the Order of Canada and the recipient of seven honorary doctorate degrees. Armstrong has covered stories in zones of conflict across the globe; from Bosnia and Somalia to Rwanda and Afghanistan. In doing so, she has been awarded the Gold Award from the National Magazine Awards Foundation. Her most recent book is Ascent of Women: A New Age Is Dawning for Every Mother’s Daughter. The Maclean's article Ms Armstrong refers to in her talk can be found here: http://www.macleans.ca/news/world/the-new-faces-of-afghan-women/