Podcasts about policy coordinator

My guest this week is Mr. Paul Bootsma, Policy Coordinator for the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO). We discuss his policy work at the CFFO and how the organization advocates for farmers with both the federal and provincial governments. We also discuss the current issue of waste at some small abbatoirs (slaughter facilities) in Ontario where there seems to be a pattern of excessive condemnation of animal carcasses by provincial inspectors, raising cost for both farmers and abbatoir owners.Learn more about the CFFO at: https://www.christianfarmers.org 

The thought of a celebrity falling in love with you seems pretty implausible to most of us. But why do so many people keep falling for celeb romance scams? Plus, six months after two Melbourne teenagers died from methanol poisoning in Laos, their mothers are still fighting for justice. And in headlines today singer Dawn Richard says she feared for her life after allegedly witnessing Sean Combs assault Cassie Ventura; Alleged mushroom killer Erin Patterson's phone pinged towers near known death cap mushroom sites; Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says they will control all of Gaza while retrieving hostages and eliminating Hamas; Joe Exotic has called on help from Donald Trump after his husband was deported to Mexico THE END BITSSupport independent women's mediaCheck out The Quicky Instagram here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guest: Carly Dober, Psychologist & Policy Coordinator for Australian Association of Psychologists Audio Producer: Thom LionBecome a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you can believe it, it's been five years since Australia's first COVID lockdown... So, with hindsight being the beautiful thing it is we're examining how those unprecedented times permanently transformed our society. And in today's headlines Labor is ahead of the Coalition in the latest news poll with the election less than 5 weeks away; Tsunami warning lifted after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake near Tonga; Myanmar's military continues airstrikes despite the death toll climbing from a 7.7 magnitude earthquake; Workplace advocates call for inquiry into NDAs being used a standard in workplace sexual harassment cases; Greenland says there is no chance they will partner with the US; Chelsea handler says she loves micro-dosing so much she handed out drugs at the Vanity Fair Oscars after party THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here Tell us what's important to you this election: Take the Mamamia Votes survey here GET IN TOUCH Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guests: Fabrizio Carmignani, Head of School of Business at University of Southern Queensland Carly Dober, Psychologist & Policy Coordinator for Australian Association of Psychologists Executive Producer: Taylah Strano Audio Producer: Lu Hill Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A clip from The Imperfects podcast has sparked widespread conversation after host Hugh Van Cuylenberg shared his family's journey with autism, resonating with thousands of Australians. Plus, with police investigations and serious allegations of misconduct including revenge porn claims, we're asking if Australia's biggest reality TV experiment Married At First Sight has finally crossed a line that can't be uncrossed. LISTEN Stop Saying My Child Doesn't Look Autistic: What Parents Of Neurodivergent Kids Want Us To Know LISTEN to The Imperfects here READ Hugh Van Cuylenberg's open letter here THE END BITS Support independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here Buy tickets to The Mamamia Out Loud LIVE ALL OR NOTHING TOUR HERE: http://outloudlive.com.au/ GET IN TOUCH Share your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guests: Carly Dober, Psychologist & Policy Coordinator for Australian Association of Psychologists Tara Watson, Mamamia's Senior Entertainment Writer Executive Producer: Taylah Strano Audio Producer: Lu Hill Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The laws took effect before this school year, resulting in students across the state being arrested for statements that wouldn't even get them expelled. Today, we discuss the conflicting nature of school threat assessment laws and the unintended consequences they've created. And it's your turn to talk. We want to hear from you: Are threat assessment laws in Tennessee working? Call 615-760-2000 with your question or comment.Guests Aliyya Swaby, ProPublica, Reporter covering children, families and social inequality Paige Pfleger, WPLN, Criminal Justice Reporter Kevin Boyer, Father of 11-year-old arrested in Chattanooga Zoë Jamail, Policy Coordinator for Disability Rights Tennessee Matt Moore, Assistant Public Defender for the 26th Judicial District of Tennessee

Fireside chat: European health projects in focus  Speakers: Massimo Gaudina, Policy coordinator, Policy Coordinator, The New European Innovation Agenda, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission, Interviewed by Vincenzo Salvatore, Partner, Simmons & Simmons

‌The Federal government has ordered rail workers back to work, avoiding strike action from Canada's two major railways. What comes next in this saga and could this situation have been avoided? We explore the topic with Bruce Curran, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Manitoba. Next, the kids are getting set to return to class this week, and for many it will be the first year where cell phones will no longer be welcomed in the classroom. We discuss the change and what parents and students need to know moving ahead with Mark Bylsma, Policy Coordinator with the Calgary Board of Education. Finally, could playing ‘video games' for a couple of hours a day have a ‘positive impact' on your mental health? Well that just may be the case, according to a new study on the topic. We get details on the research from Dr. Ted Jablonski, our ‘on-call' family physician.

In this episode, we meet with Madeleine MacGillivray - Madeleine is a lifelong climate justice advocate and microplastics-focused science communicator. She is the Climate Communications and Policy Coordinator at Seeding Sovereignty, where she hosts the climate justice podcast Supersede. Madeleine is the founder of Superheroes Needed, a project that empowers individuals to realize our climate superpowers. She holds an MS in Sustainability Management at Columbia University's School of Professional Studies and a BA in Environmental Policy from Barnard. Madeleine has delivered keynote talks in Sydney, led workshops at Cornell and FIT, spoken at San Francisco Earth Day, and hosted conversations for UN Fashion x Oceans. Madeleine passionately communicates complex environmental issues with creativity, compassion, and empathy. We learn about dating horror stories We delve into the loneliness pandemic We learn about attractive qualities in the climate space Follow and connect with Madeleine on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeleinemacgillivray?igsh=MXFsc254eWtqb2ZveA== LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-macgillivray-2a0533202 Check out the Supersede podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/68GNZd3goGOdRcLKfnQTuS Check out Madeleines website for all the amazing work she does: https://www.madeleinemacgillivray.com/

Eddie is a proud son of Mexican immigrants. He is passionate about dismantling the capitalist institutions that perpetuate the marginalization of our most vulnerable communities. Eddie earned a Bachelor's degree from University of California, Riverside majoring in International Affairs. He has years of experience working for several municipalities and the California State Assembly. With his free time Eddie enjoys spending time with his wife, hiking with his dogs, working out, and reading. His favorite quote and words to live by are, ” Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfill it, or betray it.”– Frantz Fanon.

In this episode we are talking with Olivia Know, MSW who is the Policy Coordinator for NASW-NYS and was the lead person for the "NASW-NYS 2022 Social Work Salary Analysis Report". We are talking about some of the key findings, what was surprising in the research and we answer "where do we go from here?". Links from the episode: Findings From Three Years of Surveys of New Social Workers: https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=1_j2EXVNspY%3D&portalid=0 Crisis in Care: High stress, low pay impact on New York State Employed Social Workers: https://www.socialworkers.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=1_j2EXVNspY%3D&portalid=0 NASW-NYS 2022 Social Work Salary Analysis Report: https://www.dropbox.com/s/nxs0tq6g2odtw4o/NASW-NYS%202022%20Social%20Work%20Salary%20Analysis%20Report.pdf?dl=0 In 2022, Olivia earned a Masters in social work with a specialization in community, policy, and political social action. While Olivia was completing her MSW, she served as the NASW-NYS Chapter's policy assistant. In this position, Olivia coordinated the Chapter's first in-person advocacy day, assists with developing the Chapter's policy priorities and provides information to members on New York state policy relevant to the social work profession. Olivia became the Policy Coordinator at NASW-NYS in March 2023. ____________________________________ ⁠Tap Here to Subscribe⁠ to the Social Workers, Rise! Email Resource List ⁠Tap Here⁠ to shop career courses for Social Workers. ____________________________________ Thank you to our SPONSORS ⁠RISE Directory⁠ - A national directory of Clinical Supervisors who are looking to help the next generation of Clinical Social Workers GROW. ⁠Therapist Development Center (TDC) Homepage⁠ ⁠TDC Continuing Education Courses⁠ ⁠On The Edge of Life: An Introduction to Treating Suicidality ⁠ Use the code SWRISE10 at checkout to receive 10% off --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/socialwork/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/socialwork/support

As we record this on the morning of July 11, Israel has once against broken out in massive protests after an overnight vote in their Parliament that pushed forward the far-right governing coalition's plan to limit their judiciary. Protestors see the plan as nothing less that a more stealthy version of the overt power grab that Prime Minister Netanyahu announced in January and that led to a shutdown of the country in March. One of co-founders of the pro-democracy protest movement is Gilead Sher. He is a former Chief of Staff and Policy Coordinator to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and a senior peace negotiator. He joins us with an update on what is happening and why. Further Reading: subscribe to former AP lead Mideast reporter Dan Perry's substack. See Gilead Sher's Times of Israel article.

When you head to the beach, you expect to find some leftover sandcastles and nasty sunburns - not a tide of used syringes. But that's what was found on the coast of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in 1987-88. It destroyed tourism and caused drastic changes in local waste disposal. It's a horrifying thing to think about, but what we didn't realise is how often this still happens. Medical waste disposal is a huge issue for anti-pollution campaigners, so to learn more about it all, we're talking to Ruth Stringer, International Society and Policy Coordinator of Health Care Without Harm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello! This week we're getting our wellies on as we dig deeper into the future of farming. Agriculture accounts for around 10% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions and has a role in biodiversity loss and pollution. So how can we change the way we farm and use our land in a way that helps ensure food security, restores nature and provides a livelihood for farmers, all while tackling the climate crisis? It's quite a task but we chew it all over with Lydia Collas from Green Alliance and Minette Batters from the National Farmers' Union. We're then heading to Dorset to talk to Jyoti Fernandes about the role of ‘agro-ecology' to feed ourselves, restore nature, and cool the planet.Plus: Which unexpected (and highly relevant) radio show was Ed obsessed with as a child?GuestsLydia Collas, Policy Analyst, Green Alliance (@LydiaCollas / @GreenAllianceUK)Minette Batters, President, National Farmers' Union (@Minette_Batters / @NFUtweets)Jyoti Fernandes, Campaigns and Policy Coordinator, Landworkers' Alliance & Agroecology Smallholder (@fernandes_jyoti / @LandworkersUK)More informationVisit the websites of Green Alliance, the NFU and LWARead Jyoti's open letter to George MonbiotElms: England greener farming payments detail unveiled (Article, BBC News, January 2023)What is agroecology? (Explainer, The Soil Association)Contact Reasons to be Cheerful via our website, follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Let us know your episode ideas, your comments and feedback! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Connect with Mandy Crawford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-crawford-dir/Connect with Cassie Jordan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandramjordan/Connect with Shandra McGlohon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shandra-mcglohon-pmp-8b9512b/ Timestamps0:00 Intro 1:06 Exploring the Power of Positivity Through Mentorship 4:58 The 3 Types of Mentors 6:04 Mandy's Mentors That Had An Impact 8:40 Cassie's Mentors That Had An Impact 12:25 Shandra's Mentors That Had An Impact 23:57 The importance of commitment to team and mission 28:36 How do you build relationships with your team? 34:06 Tools for peeling back the onion 40:16 Working with a lot of different personalities 44:25 The importance of getting to know your colleagues 50:01 Being the light of positivity 55:00 Keynotes that changed perspective on leadership 1:01:45 Mandy's Inspiration 1:11:38 Honesty is the foundation for trust 1:13:09 Outro Whenever you're ready, here is the one way I can help you:→ Join the TechTables+ Community Today https://www.techtables.com/membership. Listen on:

FMEP Fellow Peter Beinart speaks with FMEP Fellow Jehad Abusalim about antisemitism, ranging from the views of 19th century Palestinian intellectuals to responses to the Holocaust and Zionism, from the first Hamas charter to today's rising accusations of antisemitism to delegitimize Palestinian rights. Peter Beinart is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Foundation for Middle East Peace. He is also a Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York, a Contributing opinion writer at the New York Times, an Editor-at-Large at Jewish Currents, and an MSNBC Political Commentator. Follow Peter: @PeterBeinart, peterbeinart.substack.com. Jehad Abusalim is a 2022 Palestinian non-resident Fellow at FMEP, the Education and Policy Coordinator of the Palestine Activism Program at the American Friends Service Committee, and is completing his PhD in the History and Hebrew and Judaic Studies joint program at New York University. He tweets @JehadAbusalim. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

Anthony is the Research and Policy Coordinator at Air Alliance Houston. In this podcast we talked about what the mission and purpose of Air Alliance Houston is. Anthony also gave us some insight into some of Houston's highest environmental polluters. Anthony also talked about where Texas ranked amongst other states in regards to air pollution. Follow Air Alliance Houston below: https://airalliancehouston.org/ Insta: @airalliancehou

Sid Kapoor talks PoliSci internships and Period Equality with Sophia Dinman, Strategic Communications Director for the Buccino Leadership Institute and Policy Coordinator for PeriodSHU.

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP's Sarah Anne Minkin speaks with FMEP Fellow Jehad Abusalim about the aftermath of the most recent escalation, the relationship between the Nakba and the ongoing violent realities of Gaza, and questions of how to talk about and envision Gaza within broader frameworks of Palestinian liberation and freedom.  Jehad Abusalim is the Education and Policy Coordinator of the Palestine Activism Program at the American Friends Service Committee. He is completing his PhD in the History and Hebrew and Judaic Studies joint program at New York University. His research focuses on Arab and Palestinian intellectual discourse on Zionism, antisemitism, and the plight of the Jewish people in Europe between 1870 and 1948. Jehad also studies the social and political history of the Gaza Strip, focusing on the continuing impact of the Nakba on life in Gaza before and after 1948. Mr. Abusalim has been published in the Washington Post, al-Jazeera, the New Arab, and Vox.  Sarah Anne Minkin, PhD is FMEP's Director of Programs & Partnerships. She leads FMEP's programming, works to deepen FMEP's relationships with existing and potential grantees, and builds relationships with new partners in the philanthropic community. She is an affiliated faculty member at University of California, Berkeley's Center for Right-Wing Studies.  Resources from Jehad Abusalim:  Twitter profile: @JehadAbusalim, and his threads about the recent Gaza assault.  Most recent publication, the co-edited anthology Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire, published by Haymarket books.  May 2021 Washington Post article, The Gaza cease-fire is no excuse for the world to look away May 2020 Journal of Palestine Studies article, The Great March of Return: An Organizer's Perspective An AFSC resource for learning more about Gaza: https://gazaunlocked.org/ Original Music by Jalal. Yaquoub.

The "Champions for Total Health: Black Maternal Health & Vaccines" topic was originally presented during National Minority Quality Forum's weekly webinar series. Listen now for a closer look at addressing existing disparities. Panelists: Carla S. Rogers-Henry, MD, MA, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Chief of Ambulatory Women's Health Services, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Elmhurst Hospital Center Lois Privor-Dumm, IMBA Director, Adult Vaccines International Vaccine Access Center, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health Samantha Griffin, Owner, Doula, DC Metro Maternity Jewel Jacobs, Birthing Person Brittani Nelson, MPH Program and Policy Coordinator, Louisiana Cancer Prevention & Control Programs (LCP), LSU Health New Orleans (Moderator)

In a 20-year time frame, methane is 80 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide. Nationally, 37% of methane emissions come from cows. 17% of all US methane emissions come from food waste rotting in landfills. More than 100 countries, including the US, signed The Global Methane Pledge, promising to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.  In California, a new law went into effect directly addressing the state's methane emissions from organic waste and dairy farms. The law targets a 40% reduction in the same time frame. That's ambitious. What effect will this law have on industrial agriculture, and the general population?   Guests: Neil Edgar, Executive Director, California Compost Coalition J Jordan, Policy Coordinator, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability Michael Boccadoro, Executive Director, Dairy Cares Monique Figueiredo, Chief Executive Officer / Founder / Co-Owner, Compostable LA Allen Williams, Understanding Ag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a 20-year time frame, methane is 80 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide. Nationally, 37% of methane emissions come from cows. 17% of all US methane emissions come from food waste rotting in landfills. More than 100 countries, including the US, signed The Global Methane Pledge, promising to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.  In California, a new law went into effect directly addressing the state's methane emissions from organic waste and dairy farms. The law targets a 40% reduction in the same time frame. That's ambitious. What effect will this law have on industrial agriculture, and the general population?   Guests: Neil Edgar, Executive Director, California Compost Coalition J Jordan, Policy Coordinator, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability Michael Boccadoro, Executive Director, Dairy Cares Monique Figueiredo, Chief Executive Officer / Founder / Co-Owner, Compostable LA Allen Williams, Understanding Ag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a 20-year time frame, methane is 80 times more damaging to the climate than carbon dioxide. Nationally, 37% of methane emissions come from cows. 17% of all US methane emissions come from food waste rotting in landfills. More than 100 countries, including the US, signed The Global Methane Pledge, promising to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.  In California, a new law went into effect directly addressing the state's methane emissions from organic waste and dairy farms. The law targets a 40% reduction in the same time frame. That's ambitious. What effect will this law have on industrial agriculture, and the general population?   Guests: Neil Edgar, Executive Director, California Compost Coalition J Jordan, Policy Coordinator, Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability Michael Boccadoro, Executive Director, Dairy Cares Monique Figueiredo, Chief Executive Officer / Founder / Co-Owner, Compostable LA Allen Williams, Understanding Ag Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of “Occupied Thoughts,” FMEP's Sarah Anne Minkin interviews Jehad Abusalim about his background, his research, his analysis of this moment in time and Palestinian history, and his plans for 2022 as an FMEP Fellow. The Foundation for Middle East Peace is delighted to announce our new Palestinian Non-Resident Fellowship. FMEP's 2022 Palestinian Non-Resident Fellows are Dr. Maha Nassar and Jehad Abusalim. Jehad Abusalim is the Education and Policy Coordinator of the Palestine Activism Program at the American Friends Service Committee. He is completing his PhD in the History and Hebrew and Judaic Studies joint program at New York University. His research focuses on Arab and Palestinian intellectual discourse on Zionism, antisemitism, and the plight of the Jewish people in Europe between 1870 and 1948. Jehad also studies the social and political history of the Gaza Strip, focusing on the continuing impact of the Nakba on life in Gaza before and after 1948. Mr. Abusalim has been published in the Washington Post, al-Jazeera, the New Arab, and Vox. Follow Mr. Abusalim on Twitter here: @JehadAbusalim

Jasmine Owens, Lead Organizer and Policy Coordinator at the Physicians for Social Responsibility, joins Jeffrey to discuss social justice and nuclear weapons. Jasmine and Jeffrey attack the tough issues facing culture within the nuclear security field, embedded bias, and the disproportionate impact these weapons have on minority and oppressed communities.  Support us over at Patreon.com/acwpodcast!

With a background in government and politics, Greg Hansch, had no intentions of becoming a social worker. But as he was considering getting an advanced degree, it was his long standing curiosity about empowering people to realize their goals that propelled him toward the profession of macro social work. Greg Hansch joins us for episode 5 of the Social Work Amplified Podcast to discuss his educational background in politics, his passion for public policy and advocacy, and how his advanced degree in macro social work prepared him for the leadership role that he has today.Greg Hansch serves as the Executive Director of NAMI Texas. According to NAMI Texas' website, he joined NAMI Texas in 2012 and he has served in the roles of Public Policy Director and Policy Coordinator. In his current role, he is responsible for providing direction and leadership toward the achievement of NAMI Texas' mission. He is a Licensed Masters-Level Social Worker and received a Master's degree in Social Work with a concentration in Nonprofit and Public Management from Rutgers University. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland. Greg is a NAMI SMARTS for Advocacy State Trainer. He is an alumni of the Policy Academy of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at UT Austin. He is an experienced nonprofit executive with a demonstrated history of working in mental health policies, programs, and organizations. He is also skilled in Nonprofits, Public Policy, Government, Grants, Fundraising and Donor Management, Conference Planning, and Volunteer Management. In his spare time, he enjoys helping people register to vote, being active outdoors, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. To learn more about NAMI Texas, visit their website at https://namitexas.org/

Sometimes licence conditions for project approvals can cause damage. On this radioactive show, we look at the damage Vimy Resources is causing in their attempt to get approval to mine uranium at Mulga Rock, and how conditions set by the Malaysian Government have got Lynas in a rush to process Rare Earths in WA. We hear from Nuclear Free Campaigner at the Conservation Council of WA, Mia Pepper, about the Vimy Resources plan to establish WA's first ever uranium mine at Mulga Rock, and how the community is determined to stop it. Vimy are destroying the habitat of the endangered Sandill Dunnart. You can read the CCWA media release about it here. The Vimy Resources AGM will be held on Friday 26th Nov 1.30 AEST. Go to Nuclear Free WA on FB for the event link for the livestream of the AGM.We also hear from Lee Tan, Policy Coordinator at Aid/Watch, about the current status of the proposal from Australian rare earth miner Lynas to establish a processing facility and waste dump near Kalgoorlie and the impacts these operators have overseas.photo credit: www.bushheritage.org.au 

Feminist Question Time with speakers from Australia, UK and USA discussing Janice Raymond's latest book: Doublethink: A Feminist Challenge to Transgenderism Women's Human Rights Campaign (WHRC) Feminist Question Time is our weekly online webinars. It is attended by a global feminist and activist audience of between 200-300. The main focus is how gender ideology is harming the rights of women and girls. You can see recordings of previous panels on our YouTube Channel. This week's speakers: Anna Zobnina - Born in St Petersburg Russia. Currently lives in Scotland. Policy Coordinator of the European Network of Migrant Women Sheila Jeffreys - radical lesbian feminist author and activist, UK Renate Klien - academic, writer, publisher & feminist health activist, Australia Susan Hawthorne - writer, poet, political commentator & publisher, Australia Janice Raymond - an American lesbian radical feminist and professor emerita of women's studies and medical ethics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst For more information: www.womensdeclaration.com

In this episode of Welcome To Fatherhood Interviews, Sir Royce Briales and Dr. Raheem Young talk to Jamal McPherson -Husband, Father, Son, Policy Coordinator, Public Speaker|Social Engineer| Investor about how meditation has changed his life and how he is teaching his kids how to meditate. We also talk about how he is not close with his Dad and how going thru that makes him want to be a big part of his kids' lives, no matter what. ****Hall of Fame**** What does Fatherhood mean to you? Fatherhood means a lifelong commitment to growth, evolution, development, and being in a constant state of self-reflection. Being a father takes humility, patience, and grounding yourself to properly teach your children how to surf the tides of life. A big question and not enough time in the day to thoroughly define the term. Jamal McPherson's advice to any father: Don't stop growing...Grow with your children Get in contact with Jamal McPherson Youtube, Facebook: Amadis reflection Instagram: amadis_reflection Get connected with Welcome to Fatherhood: WTF Linktr.ee Be Well. You already are. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/wtf-interviews/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wtf-interviews/support

In this episode, we will be learning about an occupational therapy practitioner working in Policy & Advocacy. You will hear from the personal and professional experiences of Clarice Grote, MS, OTR/L. Clarice is the founder of Amplify OT and an occupational therapist with experience in acute care, outpatient, lymphedema, and home health. Clarice has served as the Missouri Occupational Therapy Association's Director of Practice (‘19-'21), AOTA's Home and Community Health Special Interest Section Advocacy and Policy Coordinator (‘18-'21), and currently serves as an American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) Ambassador. Clarice is an accomplished speaker and author on Medicare policy, value-based care, and advocacy.Show Key Points:· Clarice gives us a glimpse of her background and interests· Clarice describes The Uncommon OT work that she does, the setting and population serves· Clarice describes what drew her to this type of work and how she got there· Clarice describes a typical day on the job· Clarice discusses salary, compensation, and career advice for interested listeners· Clarice dispels some myths about the profession· Clarice provides her contact information on how she can best be reached RESOURCE LIST:Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act: https://www.aota.org/Advocacy-Policy/Congressional-Affairs/Legislative-Issues-Update/2018/Amy-Vicky-Andy-Act-Passed.aspx My Pain Management article as a student: https://www.aota.org/Advocacy-Policy/Congressional-Affairs/Legislative-Issues-Update/2017/Pain-Management-Survey-CMS-Reimbursement.aspx Amplifyot.com - they can sign up for my newsletter on my home page As always, I welcome any feedback from all of you or if you are interested in being a guest on future episodes, please do not hesitate to contact Patricia Motus at transitionsot@gmail.com or DM via Instagram @transitionsotWe hope you will continue to LISTEN, FOLLOW, DOWNLOAD, REVIEW & SHARE The Uncommon OT Series Podcast with all your friends and colleagues! Q & A only available at: https://www.wholistic-transitions.com/the-uncommon-ot-seriesHappy Listening Everyone!Big OT Love!All views are mine and guests own.Be a Patron to support The Uncommon OT Series Podcast project via Patreon.

The Bill Kelly Show Podcast: Doug Ford's government has not yet signed a deal with Ottawa on child care in part because of a "money" disagreement, says a senior Ontario Progressive Conservative official. According to the source, who was not allowed to speak publicly on the matter, the Trudeau government is ready to offer around $10 billion over five years to Canada's most populous province, so that it can create $10-a-day child-care spaces by 2026. The federal Liberals have already concluded agreements with seven provinces and one territory: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and the Yukon.   GUEST: Carolyn Ferns, Policy Coordinator for the Ontario Coalition for Better Childcare - The United States is set to reopen its land borders with Canada and Mexico in early November to travellers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to U.S. officials — a move nearly 20 months in the making. Senior White House officials said details of the new rules will be announced on Wednesday, including what kind of vaccines will be accepted. GUEST: Jim Diodati, Mayor of Niagara Falls - Canada is facing a “dilemma” when it comes to providing humanitarian aid in Taliban-run Afghanistan, experts say. On one hand, aid is needed to help Afghans who are facing an economic collapse, food shortages and a crumbling health-care system.  On the other hand, Canada wouldn't want to provide aid that would help strengthen the Taliban, said Aurel Braun, professor of international relations and political science at the University of Toronto. GUEST: Dr. Chris Kilford, President of the Canadian International Council Victoria Branch and a Fellow at the Queen's Centre for International and Defence Policy - Environmental activists in the United States are seizing on Canada's decision to invoke a 44-year-old treaty with the United States as an "audacious," misguided and misleading gambit aimed at short-circuiting Michigan's effort to shut down the Line 5 cross-border pipeline. Oil & Water Don't Mix, a coalition of Michigan environmental and Indigenous groups that includes the Sierra Club and the Michigan Climate Action Network, said Tuesday it has a 33,000-signature petition that it plans to circulate among U.S. lawmakers this week. The petition urges U.S. President Joe Biden to support the state of Michigan and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in their legal effort to shut down Line 5, a 68-year-old pipeline that crosses beneath the Great Lakes to deliver crude oil and natural gas liquids from Canada to the U.S. Midwest. GUEST: Ian Lee, Associate Professor with the Sprott School of Business at Carleton University See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode features guests from our Policy Team: Policy Director, Pastor Scott Onqué, and Policy Coordinator, Christina Krost. Your Hosts are Katie Maxwell and Lauren Paris. This week's episode was produced by Katie Maxwell. Our theme song is “Sweet Talk” by Tyra Chatney. Take action for Climate Justice! Please sign our Climate Justice Petition to tell your legislators that you support environmental justice and comprehensive clean energy legislation: https://www.faithinplace.org/advocate-for-climate-justice To register for the upcoming Clergy Climate Action at 5pm on Thursday, Aug 26, go to our sister organization—Faith in Place Action Fund—to register. https://www.faithinplaceaction.org/upcoming-events To read the article we discussed for yourself, please visit: https://wsiltv.com/2021/07/27/we-all-have-families-hundreds-could-lose-jobs-as-illinois-lawmakers-look-to-close-coal-plants-by-2035/ Please rate, review, or share this podcast with someone who might enjoy it. We can be found on all the major platforms including: Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. If you enjoy this podcast, please support the work of Faith in Place by donating! Please go to https://www.faithinplace.org/donate. Thanks so much!

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Today on Sojourner Truth: Misinformation and jockeying for power. The latest on the situation in Haiti and the U.S. response following the assassination of Haiti's President, Jovenel Moise. It has been almost a week since Moise was assassinated in his home, yet many questions remain up in the air. What were Colombian ex-military members doing in Haiti? How did the assailants get through a fortified compound, defended by Haitian security forces, with no other deaths? Our guest is journalist and Haiti expert Kevin Pina. Kevin also serves as a Country Expert on Haiti for the Varieties of Democracy project sponsored by the University of Notre Dame Center for Research Computing, the University of Gothenburg Department of Political Science, and the Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies. In an effort to stem the tide of the criminalization of crimes of poverty, the US PROStitutes Collective has come together with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners and other organizations to launch a Know Your Rights campaign. This includes an update on the demand for reparations for those who were illegally and forcibly sterilized in California prisons. Our guests are Aminah Elster and Alex Makulit. Aminah Elster is a Campaign and Policy Coordinator with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners where she leads its campaign to end coercive sterilization practices in women's prisons. Alex Makulit is an organizer with US PROS based in the Bay Area.

Jyoti Fernandes, farmer of Five Penny Farms and Policy Coordinator with the UK based Landworkers' Alliance, discusses what agroecology means to her and the efforts to shape food policy in the United Kingdom. We also discuss the risk of agroecology being co-opted and the current boycott of the UN Food Systems Summit. Episode Links Five Penny Farms, Dorset Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa Scientists Boycott the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit Jyoti testifying at the EU Parliament in 2015 Raj Patel on Normal Borlaug | Interview in PBS American Experience Is Agroecology Being Co-opted by Big Ag? | Civil Eats Article Farm Protests in India Are Writing the Green Revolution's Obituary | Scientific American Article The Land Workers' Alliance The Dimbleby Report | Part One of the National Food Strategy European Coordination Via Campesina Reframing the land-sparing/land-sharing debate for biodiversity conservation | Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences Nature Friendly Farming Network Pasture Fed Livestock Association SUSTAIN Alliance for better food and farming Agriculture Act 2020

In this episode Will is joined by Jon Cruddas, the Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham since 2001 and Policy Coordinator for the Labour Party from 2012 - 2015 to discuss his new book, The Dignity of Labour. They discuss the changing perceptions of work, the arguments made about seeking a post work world, how you can inject ethics into large corporations, Thatcherism and its continuing influence on British industry and work and where the Labour Party can seek inspiration from. You can purchase the book on The Guardian's Bookshop website here: https://guardianbookshop.com/the-dignity-of-labour-9781509540792.html This episode also includes a trailer for the Politics of Sound's May episode with Youtuber and 2021 London Mayoral Candidate Max Fosh which you can listen to here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/pos-27-max-fosh-youtuber-and-london-mayoral-candidate/id1463362456?i=1000519640285 

Beep beep coming through, we have an episode that you can absolutely not miss. Okay, we don’t recommend missing any of them, but like seriously this one is a 10/10 must-listen. We are beyond excited to share that this episode features a guest that had us starstruck from the moment we hopped onto record (no one fainted by some miracle). This guest of honor is none other than Kari Fulton, Frontline Policy Coordinator at Climate Justice Alliance. An award-winning environmental and climate justice advocate, organizer, and so much more, Kari is an OG in this realm and absolute authority in all-things climate justice. Through our conversation she helped us get a true grasp of what climate justice is, what being on the frontlines of climate change means in its many facets, and the unique impact climate change has had and is having on communities of color. Pop in your headphones to get the scoop. P.S. Ask us all your questions and give us all your feedback on IG @girlandthegovthepodcast or via email at info@girlandthegov.com!Links:https://climatejusticealliance.org/https://www.ienearth.org/ Brand Ambassador Sign Up Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelH0p5KWISaHaBI5-9nKSUItlY_eXiEmvsudpJIcRjKhfgyA/viewform

It was a pleasure to speak again with Caroline Othim who is the Campaigns and Policy Coordinator, Africa, based in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Nobel Peace prize nominated Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ). Caroline fills us in on happenings within the movement for Global Tax Justice, the pressure on the UN to step in and the ways countries like Ireland are facilitating mass tax abuse. We also discuss vaccine apartheid and the reality of this in the global south. More info HERE. Join us at: patreon.com/tortoiseshack

Orlando "Chilly" Mayorga is the new Policy Coordinator for the Office of the Illinois Lt. Governor's Justice, Equity, & Opportunity Initiative, former Director of Re-Entry Programs at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, and conversation partner with ANGELA DAVIS!!!!Tune in to hear our conversation reflecting on recent police killings, his story of finding Restorative Justice while incarcerated, his journey through re-entry, and all the exciting things he's bringing to his community!If you’re system impacted (especially in Illinois) contact Chilly at: Orlando.Mayorga@illinois.govSupport Chicago Community Restorative Justice Hubs: https://rjhubs.org/Check out Chilly’s Conversation w/ Angela Davis: https://vimeo.com/536452757 Watch clips of the podcast: http://youtube.com/c/amplifyrj See all our upcoming workshops: http://tiny.cc/ARJevents Rep Amplify RJ Gear at http://amplifyrj.threadless.com You can connect with Amplify RJ:Email list: http://tiny.cc/ARJemail Instagram: http://instagram.com/amplify.rjFacebook: http://facebook.com/amplifyrjTwitter: http://twitter.com/amplifyrjWebsite: http://amplifyrj.comReading list: http://amplifyrj.com/reading-list

In this episode, Matthew speaks to Rosemary Hennigan, Policy Coordinator at Focus Ireland. They discuss her journey from Law in Trinity College to her current role, covering her training as a solicitor in corporate law and pursuing an LLM in the University of Pennsylvania as a Fulbright Scholar. Really insightful for anyone who's in two minds about the corporate route!

Elise and Chris discuss films from the DC Labor Filmfest Spring Screening Series with Andrea Arenas, Communications & Policy Coordinator for the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, and co-host of the El Desvio podcast (She’ll be doing the Q&A for IDENTIFYING FEATURES [SIN SEÑAS PARTICULARES] on Wednesday, March 31). We’re also joined by labor journalist Sarah Jaffe, author of Work Won't Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted and Alone. Sarah also cohosts the terrific Belabored podcast (she’s doing the Q&A for LAPSIS Wed, April 7; 7:00 p.m. ET). We talk about our first movies, about the things we’re missing from being stuck watching movies at home during the pandemic, and we even have some tips on how to watch scary movies. Grab your popcorn, sit back and relax, and enjoy the show! Includes clips from Chaplin’s Modern Times, King Kong (1933), and trailers for Identifying Features and Lapsis. The DC Labor Filmfest Spring Screening Series is co-presented by the AFI Silver Theatre and the DC Labor FilmFest. Produced by Chris Garlock --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/labor-goes-to-the-movies/message

The Green Market's Host, Luke Warren, talks with Connor Tomlinson, Policy Director at the British Conservation Alliance, Richard Bonugli, CEO of Cedargold, and Jack Richardson, Policy Coordinator at the Conservative Environment Network, on whether nuclear energy is the solution to our net-zero problem, the opposition to the Sizewell C project, as well as which directions of nuclear power we should be aiming to head down in Britain. Hosted by Luke Warren Produced by Henry Lloyd Created by the British Conservation Alliance, in association with the Austrian Economics Center and Cedargold

We kick off Women's History Month with two special guests who are blazing their own trail. Wendy Doyle is the CEO at United WE and Jordan Fields is the Policy Coordinator in the office of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Ambassador Derek Mitchell joins us to discuss the implications of the 2021 Myanmar coup for China-Myanmar relations. Ambassador Mitchell analyzes the current state of China-Myanmar relations, describes its historical development, and outlines China’s interests within the region after the coup. Ambassador Mitchell also examines which areas the United States and China can cooperate in Myanmar and which areas they likely cannot. He argues that while China faces widespread public antagonism amongst the population in Myanmar, it still commands significant influence due to the investments that it has made in Myanmar as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as its continued association with communist groups in northeastern Myanmar. Nonetheless, Ambassador Mitchell contends that Myanmar is not without leverage when it comes to interacting with China, as it can make use of its relations with Japan, Europe, the United States, and even Russia to prevent China from developing a monopolizing influence. Ambassador Derek Mitchell is currently the president of the National Democratic Institute. He has previously served as the United States Ambassador to Myanmar, the first U.S. Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma, and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs. Ambassador Mitchell was previously a senior fellow, director for Asia, and director of the Southeast Asia Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

In this audio extract from AbilityNet's monthly Accessibility Insights webinar series, we welcome Alejandro Moledo, Policy Coordinator at the European Disability Forum (EDF) as the latest guest.Robin Christopherson MBE Head of Digital Inclusion at AbilityNet hosts a monthly online chat with individuals who are each working to improve digital accessibility and digital inclusion.On this webinar, Alejandro discussed the recent EU legislation on accessibility (the European Accessibility Act), and accessibility issues across media, telecoms and emerging technologies (AI, robotics, smart environments) and more.You can download a transcript of this session from the AbilityNet website and view the video recording of the webinar on the AbilityNet website, where you can also find additional Q&As and shownotes.Get in touch via enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk with feedback, questions and comments.

While the focus of the world has been on the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress has been busy preparing a war authorization for the incoming Joe Biden administration. In this episode, we examine the advice given to Congress in nine recent hearings to learn which countries are on the World Trade System naughty list, as Jen prepares to read the NDAA that's soon to become law. Please Support Congressional Dish – Quick Links Click here to contribute monthly or a lump sum via PayPal Click here to support Congressional Dish via Patreon (donations per episode) Send Zelle payments to: Donation@congressionaldish.com Send Venmo payments to: @Jennifer-Briney Send Cash App payments to: $CongressionalDish or Donation@congressionaldish.com Use your bank’s online bill pay function to mail contributions to: 5753 Hwy 85 North, Number 4576, Crestview, FL 32536 Please make checks payable to Congressional Dish Thank you for supporting truly independent media! Recommended Episodes CD208: The Brink of the Iran War CD195: Yemen CD191: The Democracies of Elliott Abrams CD190: A Coup for Capitalism CD186: National Endowment for Democracy CD167: Combating Russia NDAA CD131: Bombing Libya Bills H.R.526: Cambodia Democracy Act of 2019 Congress.gov H.Res.751: Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the African Union and recognizing the importance of diplomatic, security, and trade relations. Congress.gov H.Res.1120: Urging the Government of Tanzania and all parties to respect human rights and constitutional rights and ensure free and fair elections in October 2020, and recognizing the importance of multi-party democracy in Tanzania Congress.gov H.Res.1183: Supporting respect for human rights and encouraging continued democratic progress in Ethiopia, and for other purposes. Congress.gov Articles/Documents Article: Belarus Will Be an Early Challenge for Biden, By Gregory Feifer, Slate, December 18, 2020 Article: Expanded "America Crece" Initiative Launch Event, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, December 17, 2020 Article: Court Finds Evidence of Crimes Against Humanity in the Philippines, By Jason Gutierrez, The New York Times, December 15, 2020 Article: 2,596 Trades in One Term: Inside Senator Perdue’s Stock Portfolio, By Stephanie Saul, Kate Kelly and Michael LaForgia, The New York Times, December 2, 2020 Article: Africa: From caravan networks to investment projects, By Ahmet Kavas, Daily Sabah, November 25, 2020 Article: Ethiopia’s Problems Will Not End with a Military Victory, By Aly Verjee, United States Institute of Peace, November 24, 2020 Article: Tanzania: Repression Mars National Elections, Human Rights Watch, November 23, 2020 Article: DoD Policy Chief Quits As Leadership Vacuum Expands, By Paul McLeary, DefenseNews, November 10, 2020 Article: Biden landing team for Pentagon announced, By Aaron Mehta, DefenseNews, November 10, 2020 Article: Africa in the news: Unrest in Ethiopia, contentious elections results in Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire, and a new UK-Kenya trade deal By Payce Madden, Brookings, November 7, 2020 Article: US doing its best to lock China out of Latin America By Vijay Prashad, Asia Times, November 4, 2020 Article: Ethiopia Proposes Holding Postponed Vote in May or June 2021: FANA By Addis Ababa, Reuters, October 30, 2020 Press Release: Crisis in Mali, By Alexis Arieff, Congressional Research Service, October 21, 2020 Article: América Crece: Washington's new investment push in Latin America By Jeff Abbott, Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, October 8, 2020 Article: Ethiopian Region Holds Local Elections in Defiance of Prime Minister By Simon Marks and Abdi Latif Dahir, The New York Times, September 10, 2020 Article: IRI Expert Discusses COVID-19, Protecting Democracy in Europe and Protests in Belarus in Testimony to House Foreign Affairs Committee International Republican Institute, September 10, 2020 Article: Nile dam row: US cuts aid to Ethiopia, BBC News, September 3, 2020 Press Release: Belarus: An Overview, By Cory Welt, Congressional Research Service, August 24, 2020 Press Release: Rep. Omar Leads Letter to Condemn Trump Administration’s Plan to Invest in Controversial Projects in Honduras, Ilhan Omar, August 13, 2020 Article: China Dominates Bid for Africa’s Largest Dam in New Pact By Pauline Bax and Michael Kavanagh, Bloomberg Green, August 7, 2020 Article: Nile dam row: Egypt fumes as Ethiopia celebrates By Magdi Abdelhadi, BBC News, July 29, 2020 Article: Remarks by CEO Boehler at the América Crece Event With President Hernández of the Republic of Honduras U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, July 21, 2020 Article: Can Malian President Keita survive growing anti-gov’t protests? By Hamza Mohamed, Aljazeera, July 10, 2020 Article: Pundits with undisclosed funding from arms manufacturers urge ‘stronger force posture’ to counter China By Eli Clifton, Responsible Statecraft, May 14, 2020 Article: The Three Seas Initiative explained By David A. Wemer, Atlantic Council, February 11, 2020 Article: FORMER OBAMA OFFICIALS HELP SILICON VALLEY PITCH THE PENTAGON FOR LUCRATIVE DEFENSE CONTRACTS By Lee Fang, The Intercept, July 22, 2018 Article: Is John McCain's Pick to Lead the International Republican Institute a Strike Against Donald Trump? By Timothy J. Burger, Town & Country, August 10, 2017 Article: The River That Swallows All Dams By Charles Kenny and John Norris, Foreign Policy, May 8, 2015 Document: The Grand Inga Illusion By David Lunde, University of Denver, 2014 Article: Can DR Congo's Inga dam project power Africa? By Maud Jullien, BBC News, November 15, 2013 Article: A New Take on the 1961 Murder of Congo’s Leader By Slobodan Lekic, Los Angeles Times, September 3, 2006 Article: How Biden’s Foreign-Policy Team Got Rich By Jonathan Guyer, The American Prospect Article: Christopher Fomunyoh Grabs Man Of The Year Award By Bama Cham, Eden Newspaper Article: Reform in Ethiopia: Turning Promise into Progress, Yoseph Badwaza and Jon Temin, Freedom House Article: Beijing and Wall Street deepen ties despite geopolitical rivalry, Financial Times Article: THE HISTORY OF DR CONGO TIMELINE, Welcome to the Congo Reform Association Article: Business: The Big Dreamer, By LOUIS EDGAR DETWILER, TIME, August 01, 1960 Additional Resources About The Jamestown Foundation Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. African Union Alyssa Ayres Council on Foreign Relations DEREK MITCHELL National Democratic Institute Douglas Rutzen International Center for Not-For-Profit Law Daniel Serwer, LinkedIn Daniel Serwer, Middle East Institute Daniel Twining LinkedIn Dr. Daniel Twining International Republican Institute Elbridge Colby, LinkedIn Elbridge Colby, The Marathon Initiative Elbridge Colby, Senior Advisor, Westexec Advisors Employment Timeline: Albright, Madeleine K OpenSecrets.org Eric Farnsworth, LinkedIn Eric Farnsworth Americas Society Council of the Americas Flagship Projects of Agenda 2063 African Union History: IDEA TO REALITY: NED AT 30 National Endowment for Democracy Investing in Development U.S. International Development Finance Corporation Jamie Fly The German Marshall Fund of the United States Jamie Fly U.S. Agency For Global Media Janusz Bugajski, The Jamestown Foundation Jon Temin Freedom House Joshua Meservey, LinkedIn Lauren Blanchard, LinkedIn Michael Camilleri, The Dialogue Mission Statement, Growth in the Americas Monica de Bolle International Capital Strategies Our Experienced Team McLarty Associates Philip Reeker, LinkedIn Summary: Albright Stonebridge Group OpenSecrets.org Susan Stigant, United States Institute of Peace Team, The Beacon Project, October 2020 Team ALBRIGHT STONEBRIDGE GROUP Therese Pearce Laanela, Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Yoseph Badwaza, Freedom House Sound Clip Sources Hearing: THE BALKANS: POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION, Committee on Foreign Affairs, December 8, 2020 Watch on C-SPAN Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Madeleine Albright Chairman of the National Democratic Institute Chairman of the Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm Chairman of Albright Capital Management , an investment advisory firm Member of the Council on Foreign Relations 2003-2005: Member of the Board of Directors of the NYSE 1997-2001: Secretary of State 1978-1981: National Security Council Staff Daniel Serwer Director of American Foreign Policy and Conflict Management at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University Former Vice President at the US Institute of Peace Former Minister Counselor at the State Department during the Clinton years Janusz Bugajski Senior Fellow at the Jamestown Foundation Former Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) Hosts a tv show in the Balkans Transcript: 40:03 Rep. Eliot Engel (NY): Serbia has been importing Russian fighters and tanks and conducting military exercises with the Russian Army. A US Defense Department report told us that Belgrade's drift towards Moscow has mostly occurred since President Vučić took power. The same time democratic space in Serbia has shrunk in recent years. Freedom House describes Serbia as a, 'hybrid regime', not a democracy because of declining standards in governance, justice, elections and media freedom. If Serbia wants to become part of the European Union, and the North Atlantic family of nations, it needs to get off the fence and embrace a Western path. 56:17 Madeleine Albright: As you know, Mr. Chairman, the President Elect has been personally engaged in the Balkans since his time in the Senate. And he was one of the most outspoken leaders in Congress calling for the United States to help end the complex and I was honored to work closely with him throughout my time in office. And I know that he understands the region and its importance for the United States. The national security team that President Elect Biden is putting in place is deeply knowledgeable and committed to helping all the countries of the region move forward as part of a Europe that is whole free and at peace. And that's important, because today this vision is in peril. The nations of the Western Balkans are suffering deeply from the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Corruption remains a serious problem, and nationalist leaders continue to stoke and exploit ethnic tensions. China and Russia are also exerting new influence in the region, with Serbia in particular the target of much anti Western propaganda. As the pandemic eases there will be an opportunity for the United States and Europe to help the region build back better, particularly as Western European countries seek to bring supply chains closer to home. And as new funds become available to invest in energy diversification and environmental protection. 59:36 Madeleine Albright: The answer is for the United States and the EU to work together to champion initiatives that help custom Bosnia and others build economic ties to Europe and the neighborhood while also pushing for needed political reforms. 1:00:00 Madeleine Albright: On Bosnia, the Dayton accords stopped a war and continue to keep the peace. But the governing arrangements are not captured by leaders among the three groups that negotiated the peace. They want to hold on to power even if it means holding their society back. While Bosnia is neighbors move toward EU membership, the United States and the European Union must focus their efforts in Bosnia on the abuse of government and state owned enterprises. Taking away the levers of power that keep the current system in place. 1:05:30 Daniel Serwer: Europe and the United States want a post state in Bosnia, they can qualify for EU membership. That Bosnia will be based not on ethnic power sharing, but rather on majorities of citizens electing their representatives. [?] entities as well as ethnic vetoes and restrictions we'll need to fade. the Americans and Europeans should welcome the prospect of a new Civic constitution. But no one outside Boston Herzegovina can reform its constitution, a popular movement is needed. The United States along with the Europeans needs to shield any popular movement from repression while starting the entities with funding and redirecting it to the central government and municipalities. 1:12:07 Janusz Bugajski: Moscow views Serbia in particular, and the Republic of Srpska in Bosnia as useful tools to subvert regional security and limit Western integration. 1:12:40 Janusz Bugajski: Western Balkan inclusion in the Three Seas Initiative and its North South transportation corridor will enhance economic performance and help provide alternatives to dependence on Russian energy and Chinese loans. 2:00:41: Rep. Gerry Connolly (VA): Why do you think longer term in the Balkans its Chinese influence we need to be focused on? Janusz Bugajski:Thank you very much for that question. Let me begin with why Russia is not a longer term danger. Russia is a country in serious decline, economic decline. Its economies size of a medium sized European state. China has the second largest economy in the world. Russia has internal problems with its nationalities with its regions, with increasing public unrest with increasing opposition to put in them even be power struggles during the succession period over the next four years, Russia faces major internal problems. China, on the other hand, unless of course, there is opposition to the Chinese Communist Party from within, is in a different stage. It continues to be a very dynamic country in terms of its economic growth. It doesn't face the sort of internal contradictions and conflicts that Russia does. And it's increasingly.. China's always looked at the longer term. In other words, they don't even have to look at succession cycles, because of the dominance of the Communist Party. They are looking eventually to replace Russia as the major rival of the United States. And the best way to do that is to increase their influence not only militarily in East Asia, South Asia and other parts of the world, but economically, politically, diplomatically, culturally, and through the media and that's precisely what they're doing, not only in Europe, but in other continents. 2:18:38 Madeleine Albright: I think that democracy and economic development go together also. Because as I put it, people want to vote and eat. Hearing: THE UNFOLDING CONFLICT IN ETHIOPIA, Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, December 3, 2020 Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Yoseph Badwaza Senior Advisor for Africa at Freedom House Former Secretary General of Ethiopian Human Rights Council Susan Stigant Director of the Africa Program at the United States Institute of Peace Former program director at the National Democratic Institute, focused on South Sudan Tsedale Lemma Editor in Chief and Founder of Addis Standard Magazine Lauren Ploch Blanchard Specialist in African Affairs at the Congressional Research Service Former East Africa Program Manager at the International Republican Institute Transcript: 35:32 Yoseph Badwaza: The devastating developments of the past four weeks have brought inmeasurable human suffering and the destruction of livelihoods and appear to have returned to yet another protracted civil war and nearly 30 years after it emerged from its last. These tragic events have also dealt a deadly blow to what would have been one of the most consequential democratic transitions on the African continent. 37:09 Yoseph Badwaza: A series of missed opportunities in the last two and a half years led to the tragic derailment of a promising democratic experiment. A half hearted effort at implementing reforms by a ruling party establishment reluctant to shape its deeply authoritarian roots. Roots stands in the way of a genuine inclusive political process. Hearing: U.S. DEFENSE POSTURE CHANGES IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER, Committee on Armed Services, September 30, 2020 Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Dr. James Anderson Former Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Department of Defense (resigned the day after Trump fired DoD Secretary Mark Esper) 2006-2009: Director of Middle East Policy for the Secretary of Defense 2001-2006 - Gap in LinkedIn resume 2000-2001: Associate at DFI International, a multinational consulting firm 1997-1999: Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation Lt. Gen David Allen: Director for Strategy, Plans, and Policy, Joint Chiefs of Staff Transcript: 17:14 Dr. James Anderson: As we continue to implement the NDS or efforts at enhancing our European posture beyond Eucom Combat Command Review, have shown recent successes, including the signing of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with Poland in August that will enable an increased enduring US rotational presence in that country of about 1000 US military personnel. Hearing: DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations, September 30, 2020 Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Christopher Fomunyoh Senior Associate for Africa at the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs Has been at NDI since 1993 Has worked for the Cameroon Water Corporation and Cameroon Airlines Corporation Dorina A. Bekoe, PhD Research Staff Member at the Institute for Defense Analyses Jon Temin Director of the Africa Program at Freedom House Freedom House gets most of its funding from the National Endowment for Democracy 2014-2017: U.S. Department of State’s Policy Planning Staff Director of the U.S. Institute of Peace’s Africa Program Member of the Council on Foreign Relations Non-resident Senior Associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies Joshua Meservey Senior Policy Analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation since 2015 Former Associate Director of the Atlantic Council Former Field Team Manager for the Church World Service Resettlement Support Center Former Volunteer with the US Peace Corps Former intern for the US Army Special Operations Command Former Loss Prevention Coordinator for Dollar Financial Corporation Transcript: 7:13 Rep. Chris Smith (NJ): I fear that 2020 may see an even greater decrease in democracy on the continent. Today's hearing is also timely, as elections are approaching next month in Tanzania and the Ivory Coast, both countries which appear to be on a downward trajectory in terms of governance and respect for civil and political rights. And I want to note that Chairwoman bass has introduced legislation with respect to Tanzania, and I'm very proud to be a co sponsor of it and I thank you for that leadership. 8:37 Rep. Chris Smith (NJ): For example, was quite obvious to outside observers in the DRC that the declared winner of the latest presidential election held in late 2018. Felix Tshisekedi received less votes than Martin Fayulu low because of a corrupt bargain between the outgoing strongman Joseph Kabila Tshisekedi. The Constitutional Court packed by Kabila declared him to be the winner. What happened next was troubling, as our State Department issued a statement that said and I quote, 'the United States welcomes the Congolese Constitutional Court certification of Felix Tshisekedi as the next president of the DRC,' which was apparently driven by a handful of diplomats, including our ambassador. 9:26 Rep. Chris Smith (NJ): Elections in Nigeria were first postponed by sitting President Buhari and marred by irregularities in advance of the election date, quitting arson attacks on the independent national Electoral Commission offices in opposition strongholds in Buhari's his removal of Supreme Court Justice Walter Onnoghen. 10:40 Rep. Chris Smith (NJ): Before Sudan is delisted as a state sponsor of terrorism, I also believe there must be justice for all victims of its past bad acts including the victims of 911, many of whom live in my home state of New Jersey and in my district. 14:44 Rep. Karen Bass (CA): Most concerning is the situation in Tanzania, which I recently addressed in House Resolution 1120 where current leadership is repressing the opposition and basic freedoms of expression and assembly in a blatant attempt to retain power. 15:00 Rep. Karen Bass (CA): We see similar patterns in Cote d'Ivoire as the executive branch legalizes the deviation in democratic institutions to codify non democratic actions. We have similar concerns about Guinea and are going to be very watchful of upcoming elections there. And in Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria and Somalia. 15:57 Rep. Karen Bass (CA): What concerns me most is the democratic backsliding is not limited to Africa and we seem to be in a place of retreat from democracy that I only hope is an anomaly. In Europe, we see the egregious behavior of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed success in a disputed August 9 election and sought support from extra national resources such as Russia to justify his claim to power. 17:28 Rep. Karen Bass (CA): President Duterte of the Philippines is accused of lawfare, or weaponizing the law to deter or defeat freedoms, personalities and establishments that promote human rights, press freedoms and the rule of law while also cracking down on individual freedoms. 24:39 Christopher Fomunyoh: NDI has over three decades of technical assistance to and support for democratic institutions and processes in Africa and currently runs active programs in 20 countries. 26:09 Christopher Fomunyoh: Notably, West Africa, previously commanded as a trailblazer region has seen serious backsliding, as Mali experienced a military coup, and major controversies have arisen about candidacies of incumbent presidents in Guinea, Conakry and Cote d'Ivoire. The Central Africa region remains stocked with the three with the highest concentration of autocratic regimes with the three longest serving presidents in the world. In that sub region, notably Equatorial Guinea forty one years, Cameroon 38 years, and Congo Brazzaville 38 years. 26:50 Christopher Fomunyoh: In southern and East Africa, continued persecution of political opposition and civil society activists in Zimbabwe and similar worrying signs or patterns in Tanzania since 2016 seriously diminished citizen participation in politics and governance and also stand my prospects for much needed reforms. 31:31 Dorina A. Bekoe: Mali's 2012 coup took place even though there was a regularly scheduled election just one month away. And the coup in August of this year took place despite the fact that in 2018 there was a presidential election and last year there were legislative elections. 38:44 Jon Temin: The United States should consider changes to term and age limits that allow incumbent leaders to extend their time in office as essentially a coup against the constitution and respond accordingly. These moves by leaders who have already served two terms are an usurpation of power, that deny the country and its citizens the many benefits of leadership rotation. 40:07 Jon Temin: In Sudan the long overdue process of removing the country from the list of state sponsors of terrorism may soon conclude, but that is not enough. The United States needs to support the civilian component of Sudan's transitional government at every step of the long road toward democracy and do all that it can to revive Sudan's economy. 40:25 Jon Temin: In Ethiopia, there are deeply concerning signs that the government is reaching for tools of repression that many hoped were relegated to history. Nonetheless, Ethiopia remains on a tentative path to democratic elections that can be transformative. In this context, the decision by the United States to withhold development assistance from Ethiopia in a quixotic and counterproductive effort to influence Ethiopia's negotiating position concerning the grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is bad policy that should be reversed. 41:00 Jon Temin: Nascent democratic transitions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Gambia and Angola also call for strong US support. 1:10:21 Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN): I want to start with Dr. Fomunyoh. In your testimony you discuss the massacres committed in the Anglophone region of Cameroon. Did the United States provide training funding or arms to the Cameroonian security forces who committed those massacres? 1:12:20 Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN): Did the Millennium military officers who led the recent coup [??] receive US military training? And if you can just say yes or no, because I have a few more questions and we have limited time. 1:29:23 Jon Temin: Freedom in the world, which we do every year rates every country in the world that includes the United States, the United States score was decreasing before this administration, we have seen a slow slippage of democracy in America for some time, rating based on our scores. That decrease has accelerated under this administration. 1:30:00 Jon Temin: I think part of it has to do with freedom for journalists. I believe there's been some concern there. Part of it has to do with corruption and some of the indications that we've seen of corrupt activity within government. I'll leave it there. We're happy to go dig into that and provide you more detail. And I'm sure that when we look at the scores again later this year, there will be a robust conversation on the United States. Hearing: THE ROLE OF ALLIES AND PARTNERS IN U.S. MILITARY STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS, Committee on Armed Services, September 23, 2020 Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Christine Wormuth On Joe Biden's presidential transition team 2018- present: Director of the International Security and Defense Policy Center at the RAND Corporation 2017-2018: Founding Director of the Adrienne Arsht Center for Resilience at the Atlantic Council 2017-2018: Senior Advisor for the Center for Strategic and International Studies 2010-2014: Various DoD positions, rising to Under Secretary of Defense for Policy 2004-2009: Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies 2002-2004: Principal at DFI Government Services, an international defense consulting firm Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges Center for European Policy Analysis Board of Advisors for the Spirit of America (not listed on hearing bio) Board of Directors is made up of CEOs of mulitnational corporations Board of Advisors is full of corporate titans and big names, including Michelle Flournoy, Jeh Johnson, Kimberly Kagan, Jack Keane, James Mattis, Stanley McChrystal, H.R. McMaster, & George Shultz 2014-2017: Commanding General of the US Army in Europe Elbridge Colby Principal and co-Founder of the Marathon Initiative Formed in May 2020 Senior Advisor to WestExec Advisors (not listed on hearing bio) Co-Founded by incoming Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Michelle Flournoy, who told the Intercept in 2018, "we help tech firms who are trying to figure out how to sell in the public sector space, to navigate the DOD, the intel community, law enforcement." 2018-2019: Director of the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security Northrup Grumman is one of its biggest donors, also gets funding from Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Bell Helicopter, BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Boeing, and DynCorp. 2017-2018: Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development Lead official in the creation of the 2018 National Defense Strategy 2010-2017: Center for a New American Security GWB administration (not listed on his LinkedIn) 2005-2006: worked with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence 2004-2005: President GWB's WMD Commission 2003: worked with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq Transcript: 17:14 20:08 Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges: Second point of emphasis requires us to place importance on the greater Black Sea where. I believe the great power competition prevents great power conflict, failure to compete and to demonstrate interest and willingness to protect those interests in all domains, power vacuums and miscalculations which can lead to escalation and to actual conflict. This is particularly true in the greater Black Sea region, where Russia is attempting to maximize its sphere of influence. The Black Sea region should be the place where the United States and our NATO allies and partners hold the line. The Black Sea should matter to the west in part because it [was to the Kremlin.] taking the initiative away from the Kremlin denies the ability to support the Assad regime in Syria and then to live will reduce the flow of rich into Europe, or General Breedlove called the weaponization of refugee. Limit the Kremlin's ability to spread his thoughts of influence in the Balkans which is the Middle East and North Africa. 21:28 Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges: We must repair the relationship between Turkey and the United States. And see Turkey [?] as an exposed ally at the crossroads of several regions and challenges. Turkey is essential for deterrence of the Kremlin in the Black Sea region. And it is a critical both against ISIS and Iran we need to consider this relationship to be a priority, [but] condone or excuse several mistakes or bad choices about the Turkish Government. There are times are very quiet, but we think long term. The current Turkish administration will eventually change. But the strategically important geography of Turkey will never change. 23:31 Elbridge Colby: Allies and partners are absolutely essential for the United States in a world increasingly defined by great power competition, above all with China. Indeed, they lie at the very heart of the right US strategy for this era, which I believe the Department of Defense's 2018 National Defense Strategy lays out. The importance to the United States of allies and partners is not a platitude, but the contrary. For the first time since the 19th century, the United States is not far and away the world's largest economy. More than anything else, this is due to the rise of China. And that has become very evident. Beijing is increasingly using its growing power for coercive purposes. 24:08 Elbridge Colby: United States faces a range of other potential threats, including primarily from Russia against NATO, as well as from transnational terrorists, Iran and North Korea. In other words, there exists multiple challenges to US national security interests. Given their breadth and scope, America can no longer expect to take care of them essentially alone. Accordingly, we must address this widening shortfall between the threats we face and the resources we have to deal with them by a much greater role for allies and partners. 24:59 Elbridge Colby: Because of China's power and wealth, the United States simply must play a leading role in blocking Beijing's pursuit of hegemony in Asia. This means that the US defense establishment must prioritize dealing with China and Asia and particularly vulnerable allies and partners such as Taiwan and the Philippines. 25:24 Elbridge Colby: In particular, we will not be able to dedicate the level of resources and effort to the Middle East and Europe that we have in the past. We will therefore need allied partners to do their part not just to help defend our interests and enable a concentration on Asia but to defend themselves and their interests. 26:00 Elbridge Colby: The contemporary threats to us interest stem from China across Asia. Transnational terrorists largely in the Middle East, Russia and Eastern Europe, Persian Gulf area and North Korea in Asia. 26:11 Elbridge Colby: Yet the United States is traditional, closest and most significant allies are largely clustered in Western Europe in Northeast Asia. Many of these countries, especially Europe feel quite secure and are little motivated to contribute to more distant threats. This leaves wide areas such as South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East, for which long standing US alliances are of minimal help. The natural way to rectify this is for the United States to add partners and form necessary alliances to help address these gaps. 35:13 Elbridge Colby: In this effort, though, we should be very careful to distinguish between expanding our formal alliances or [?] alliances from expanding our partnerships, the former should be approached derivatively while the latter can be approached more liberally, when we extend an alliance commitment or something tantamount to it as in the case of Taiwan, we tie our credibility to that nation's fate. We should therefore be [cheery] about doings. In light of this, we should seek to expand our partnerships wherever possible. In particular, we should focus on increasing them in South and Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, where China otherwise might have an open field to [subordances] and add them to its pro hegemonium coalition. 27:41 Elbridge Colby: I do not see a near term need to add any allies to the US roster. But I do think we will increasingly need to consider this as the shadow of Chinese power darkens over the region. 27:53 Elbridge Colby: Our effort to expand our network of allies and partners should really be focused on states with shared threat perceptions. It has become something of a common place that shared values form the bedrock of our alliances. It is true that such values help allies, but the most useful alliances generally proceed from shared fears. The best motivator to fight is self defense. The states that have a shared interest in preventing Chinese or Russian or Iranian hegemony selves have a natural alignment with our own. This is true whether or not they are democracies. 29:00 Elbridge Colby: In Asia, given the scale proposed by Beijing, we should concentrate most of our allies like Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Taiwan on readying to defend themselves alongside US Armed Forces and provide access to US forces in the event of a contingency. 29:16 Elbridge Colby: Meanwhile, we should assist partners like Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, with whatever means available to enable their defense against an ever more powerful China while concurrently seeking greater access and logistics support for US and other allied forces. 29:39 Elbridge Colby: Europe Finally, the overall us goal should be while preserving the fundamental us commitment to NATO's defense to have Europeans especially in northern and eastern Europe shoulder more of the burden of defending the Alliance from Russia assault. The reality is that given the stakes and consequences, the United States must prioritize Asia. United States must therefore economize in its second theater Europe. 35:13 Elbridge Colby: And move away from using these tools as leverage for key partners for domestic political reform or secondary geopolitical objectives. United States should always of course, stand proudly for free government that treats its people with dignity. We must keep our eye on the prize though China is the primary challenge to our interest in the world, including our government, both at home and abroad. Our top priority must therefore be to block its gaining predominance in Asia, which is a very real prospect. This means strengthening states in the region against Chinese power, whether or not they are model democracies. 35:15 Rep. Adam Smith (WA): When we should we just say, look, we're not going to worry about your domestic politics. We want to build the Alliance, however possible. How would we deal with extreme human rights abuses, as are alleged in the Philippines in terms of extra judicial killings, or in the case of India, and of course, we're dealing with this with Turkey and Europe as well, as you know, doing the arm sales with Russia, should we significantly back off on our sort of sanctions policy for those things? And if so, how do we signal that without without undermining our credibility? 40:55 Elbridge Colby: In a sense, what we're going to need to do to leverage this greater power of this network, you know, allies, partners, whatever their role is going to be interoperability, the ability to work to different standards to communicate with each other. That's partially a technical problem and an equipment problem, but a lot of it is human training and an organizational issue. And Taiwan, I think I'm very enthusiastic about the arms sales to Taiwan. And I know that one was recently reported, I hope it goes through because it's the kind of equipment that we want to see this kind of A2AD denial kind of capabilities to Taiwan, but actually, where I think would be really valuable to move forward with. And that's a sensitive issue, but I think this would be within the context of our trade policy would personally be on training, you know, and that's something we could think about with Vietnam as well. Obviously, the Indians have a very sophisticated military, but they're maybe we can offer there too. So I think that's a real sort of force multiplier. 42:00 Rep. Mac Thornberry (TX): Turkeys geography, history, critical role is always going to be important is certainly valid. And yet, not only are there human rights and governance issues, the current leader of Turkey has policies that contradict the, in many ways the best interests of the United States. So, take that specific example. We don't want to make enemies of Turkey forever. But yet, what do we do now? To to preserve that future when there's a different government, but yet make clear or in some way help guide them on a better policy path? 57:50 Christine Wormuth: We need to make adjustments to our posture in the region to be able to better deal with China. And so the announcement by Palau, for example, that it's willing to host US airfields and bases could be quite helpful to us. Even though they're relatively small. We do need to diversify our footprint. 1:24:52 Christine Wormuth: The challenge is that the many of the countries in the indo Pacific don't want to have to choose between the United States and China. They want to engage with China for very clear economic interests, while most of them lean towards the United States for security interests, and I think they're trying to sort of thread that needle. 1:32:07 Christine Wormuth: Turkey is a very challenging geostrategic problem. I was in the Obama administration when we were fighting ISIS, and we knew there was tension between the necessity to have partners on the ground and the Syrian Democratic Forces were what we had. We knew Turkey had issues with that. In my experience, however, the United States worked very hard and very closely with Turkey to try to assuage their concerns and nothing was ever enough for them. So we do have a challenge, they are very important in terms of where they are located, but the authoritarianism that Erdogan has turned to is concerning. So I think we have to keep the dialogue open and continue to try to keep turkey inside the fold, but at the same time, communicate that doing whatever they want is not acceptable. And the the S400 for example, is a key example of that. 1:34:07 Christine Wormuth: AFRICOM’s Zero Based review, I hope will shed light on which kinds of activities are helping us and helping our African partners. 1:35:36 Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges: The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain all have extensive efforts going on in Africa. So this is an opportunity once again, where we can work with allies to achieve what our objectives are. 1:40:00 Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges: What for sure brings a lot of military capability air landed forces to the a lot and that if for some reason, you know that it would have to be filled by us or the state or other allied to then that's a problem right? Sorry. But more importantly is control the strokes that can help the blacks in the Mediterranean. And so having a NATO ally has control and sovereignty over the strait we have the mantra. Hearing: Stemming a Receding Tide: Human Rights and Democratic Values in Asia, Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation, September 22, 2020 Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Derek Mitchell President of the National Democratic Institute Returned to NDI in September 2018 after leaving in 1997 2012-2016: Former US Ambassador to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Burma) 2011-2012: U.S. Department of State’s first Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma 2009-2011: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs (APSA) 2001-2009: Senior Fellow and Director of the Asia Division of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) 1997-2001: Special Assistant for Asian and Pacific Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense 1993-1997: Senior Program Officer for Asia and the former Soviet Union at the National Democratic Institute 1986-1988: Foreign policy assistant for Sen. Ted Kennedy Dr. Alyssa Ayres Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations Consultant for the Japan Bank for International Cooperation Senior Advisor for McLarty Associates A global consultant firm "at home in corporate board rooms & government cabinet rooms, anywhere in the world" Member of the United States Institute of Peace 2010-2013: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asia 2008-2010: Founding director of the India and South Asia practice at McLarty Asssociates 2007-2008: Special Assistant to the Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Daniel Twining President of the International Republican Institute since 2017 Picked by outgoing President, Sen. John McCain 2009-2016: Former director of the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund 2007-2009: GWB State Department Policy Planning staffer 2001-2004: Foreign Policy Advisor to Sen. John McCain Transcript: 16:12 Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges: Last year I introduced the bipartisan Cambodia democracy act which passed the House overwhelmingly, it would impose sanctions on those in Cambodia responsible for undermining democratic rule of law in the country. We must be especially cognizant of democracies in Asia in danger of backsliding into autocracy, with China's help with their alternative to Western democracies, and that is Chinese socialism with Chinese characteristics that is communism, regardless of how they paint it and try to rename it. 21:10 Derek Mitchell: For nearly four decades, my organization, the National Democratic Institute, working alongside our partners at the International Republican Institute, and the National Endowment for Democracy has assisted the spread and institutionalization of democracy around the world. Let me say at the start that we can only do this work thanks to the sustained bipartisan support of Congress, including from this subcommittee. So for that we are truly grateful. 21:50 Derek Mitchell: Today NDI maintains nearly a dozen offices in the Indo-Pacific region. And last week we just received clearance from the Taiwan government to open an office in Taipei, which we will do soon. 30:07 Dr. Alyssa Ayres: Sri Lanka after a five year period of improvement is now moving in the other direction with the return of the Rajapaksa government. The new political configuration will not pursue progress on reconciliation and accountability for the end of the Civil War, and the newly elected parliament is already hard at work, the constitutional amendment to expand presidential powers. 34:21 Daniel Twining: Beyond China the past year has seen countries once viewed as bright spots for democracy like Malaysia and Sri Lanka, regress due to political infighting, personality politics and failure to deliver promised reforms. 1:48:50 Dr. Alyssa Ayres: I do believe that the creation of the DFC is important. It is my understanding that it is not quite up and running 100%. So we have yet to really see what it can do as a potential alternate to these kinds of infrastructure under writings. The other piece of the DFC is that is it in part designed to help crowd in private sector engagement and private sector investments. So that's another part of the story. I think we may need more time before we're able to see how effective this mechanism can be. 1:49:22 Dr. Alyssa Ayres: I would note that we also had another very effective source of US government assistance that depends on, his premise on good governance indicators. And that's the Millennium Challenge Corporation. And I would just caution that in the South Asia region, we have now seen two examples in Nepal and in Sri Lanka, were the long process of engaging toward a Millennium Challenge compact agreement, large investments, about 500 million in each case towards transportation and power infrastructure. These have actually been held up in both of those countries because of political concerns. The Nepali government doesn't want to be part of the US-Indo Pacific strategy or feel that it is somehow being brought into the Indo-Pacific strategy. The Rajapaksa government is suspicious of the US MCC. So I would just offer those two examples of cases where we've got a terrific tool, but it's run into some challenges for political reasons and the countries of concern. 1:50:29 Daniel Twining: Thank you, Congressman, you've been such a leader, including with your Cambodia democracy act. And you know, that's a reminder that we do have the tools and, and leverage. The Europeans in Cambodia have suspended trading privileges that they had offered to Cambodia. Cambodia is very reliant on our GSP still. So some of these economic instruments matter in both a negative sense, but also in a positive sense. When countries do well, we should be working with them on new trade and financial arrangements, the Chinese do come in and do this in their own way. And we should get back to that as a country. Sir, you mentioned, do we withdraw support when a country backslides, on democracy? You know, I would argue that most of our support for country should not go directly to their governments, should go to independent civil society, free media, independent institutions and not just go into a central coffer that disappears. In the past, we've gotten a lot smarter about this as a country, but in the past, a lot of us development assistance disappeared because we were giving it to friendly autocracies in some cases, who did not have any means of accounting for it. So let's make sure that we invest in these democracy and governance instruments because we want to make sure that US taxpayer money is being used well. Hearing: U.S. ENGAGEMENT IN THE INDO-PACIFIC AND BEYOND, Committee on Foreign Relations, September 17, 2017 Watch on C-SPAN Read Transcript Witnesses: Julie Chung Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the State Department Philip T. Reeker 2019 to present: Acting Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs 2017-2019: Civilian Deputy to the Commander of the US European Command 2014-2017:Principal Officer and Consul General at the US Consulate General in Milan, Italy 2011-2014: Deputy Assistant Secretary of State fo rEuropean and Eurasian Affairs 2008-2011: US Ambassador to Macedonia 2007-2008: Counselor of Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Iraq 2004-2007: Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy in Hungary 1999-2004: Spokesman for the US State Dept David R. Stilwell Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the State Department Transcript: 17:44 David R. Stilwell: For years, we in the international community credited Beijing's commitments that facilitating China's entry into the rules based international order would lead to increasing domestic reform and opening. Beijing's persistent flouting of these commitments has shattered those illusions. It is now clear to us and to more and more countries around the world that PRC foreign and security policy seeks to reshape the international environment around the narrow interests and authoritarian values of a single beneficiary. That is the Chinese Communist Party. 22:19 David R. Stilwell: We sincerely appreciate congressional leadership in establishing the new counter China influence fund in fiscal year 2020 Appropriations Bill. This very important provision provides the department with a flexible mechanism that will bolster our efforts to strengthen our partners resiliency to Chinese malign influence worldwide. The initial round of CCIF funding solicitation resulted in over 400 project submissions from around the globe, with demand far outstripping the appropriate funding. 29:57 Philip T. Reeker: By using platforms like the One Belt One Road initiative, the Chinese Communist Party endeavors to create dependencies and cultivate client state relationships through the 17 Plus One initiative which involves 12 countries that are both NATO and EU members primarily in Central and Eastern Europe, China aims to achieve access and ownership over valuable transportation hubs, critical infrastructure, ports and industries. 31:09 Philip T. Reeker: Using authorities granted by legislation members of this committee introduced, as mentioned the bipartisan Build Act and the European Energy Security and Diversification Act, we've been able to begin leveraging the New Development Finance Corporation to try to catalyze key investments in strategic projects. Most notable I'd point to Secretary Pompeo. His pledge at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year of $1 billion, a commitment to the Three Seas Initiative in the Czech Republic which Secretary Pompeo visited just last month, they have transformed from a target of Chinese influence to a leader in the European awakening. 33:29 Philip T. Reeker: Although China's GDP is about eight times the size of Russia's, Russia remains the primary military threat to Europe and the strategic priority for most of our allies and partners, particularly those in Central and Eastern Europe. Russia and China are more closely aligned strategically than at any point since the 1950s. And we see growing cooperation across a range of diplomatic, military, economic and information activities. 46:15 Julie Chung: In terms of [cepheus], and investment screening, we have extensive engagements in the region. We have been sending technical delegations to countries in the region to explain how public procurement processes and transparent processes work. We have helped governments build that capacity through the America Crece initiative. We have 10 mo use now signed with countries throughout the region. And that's part of the the tool to use in addressing the corruption issues that China is bringing to the region. How do we ensure the countries have the right tools in place, the practices in place, the procurement practices and regulatory framework to the private sector companies want to come and invest in those countries and ensure they have a level playing field to be working through the America Crece initiative. 47:17 Julie Chung: DFC has been a wonderful tool and resource that we've been able to now utilize more than ever, in from the former OPEX utilities, not expanding that broader base in Latin America and the Caribbean. So DFC in our region has already invested and has pledged to invest $12 billion in just the Western Hemisphere alone, and in Central America, $3 billion. So it's already invested in Central America, in El Salvador, for instance, on an LNG project, and other projects that are forthcoming. 1:17:16 Philip T. Reeker: Three Seas Initiative was developed by countries dozen countries in the Central and Eastern European region to provide alternatives particularly in a north-south direction for trade and infrastructure, and we have stepped in to support the Three Seas not as a member, but as an interested partner. And Secretary Pompeo outlined, as I mentioned, that the development Finance Corporation is offering up to a billion dollars in matching investment funds for opportunities throughout that region. 1:35:00 Julie Chung: Taiwan and the United States are working together in Latin America. So they announced financing to provide SME loan support for Latin American Central American region through the kabe. The Central American Bank of Government Integration. So that's one example of where we're providing that funding into the region. There's also a $26 million loan that DFCS provided to provide telecom towers in Peru and Ecuador 500 telecom towers, and this addresses both our strategic interest as well as a 5G telecommunications interest that where China is trying to take over and really control that that sector. 1:50:29 Julie Chung: In terms of DFC and working on digital authoritarianism, there's no better example in the region then in Maduro's regime, the authoritarian regime of Maduro and working in close concert with China, and China's ZTE has long had a relationship with the Maduro regime and providing the carnet de patria which spies on civil society and opposition leaders and determines how who gets what food allocations within that country. And so right now, of course, we are not engaging in DFC in Venezuela. But in a democratic future. When we have a democratic transition in that country. We would love to bring DFC into it and help rebuild. Hearing: THE HEALTH, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL CHALLENGES FACING LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, and Trade, September 15, 2020 Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Monica de Bolle, PhD Professor of Latin American Studies at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics Senior Advisor with International Capital Strategies (not listed on her hearing bio) Former professor of macroeconomics at the Pontifical Catholic Universtiy of Rio de Janeiro Managing partner of Galanto MBB Consultants, a macroeconomic consultancy firm based in Brazil Former economist at the International Monetary Fund Michael Camilleri Director of the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program for Inter-American Dialogue Senior Advisor at WestExec Advisors since February 2018 (not listed on his hearing bio) The firm founded by the incoming Secretary of State, Antony Blinken Former Western Hemisphere adviser on Obama's Secretary of State's Policy Planning Staff and Director for Andean Affairs at the National Security Council from 2012-2017 Former human rights specialist at the Organization of American States Former senior staff attorney at the Center for Justice and International Law Member of the Council on Foreign Relations Eric Farnsworth Vice President of the Council of the Americas since 2003 Former Managing Director of ManattJones Global Strategies, a consulting firm from 1998-2005 Former member of the global public policy division of Bristol-Meyers Squibb, a multinational pharmaceutical company Former Senior Policy Advisor to President Bill Clinton from 1995-1998 Former Foreign Affairs Officer at the State Department from 1990-1995 Former Services and Investment Industry Analyst at the Office of the US Trade Representatives in 1992 Transcript: 25:10 Rep. Francis Rooney (FL): US international development Finance Corporation will play a crucial role in investments in the region, which I believe can help the recovery and also as long term economic well being 2:08:13 Eric Farnsworth: Notably, Washington is taking actions to build a forward looking economic recovery agenda. Among them the Americas Crece, a program announced at the end of 2019 and enhanced financing facilities through the newly minted Development Finance Corporation. 2:09:21 Eric Farnsworth: Economic Recovery must be at the forefront of the pending summit of the Americas. Latin America already suffers from one of the lowest levels of intra regional trade worldwide, for example. The gains from expanded intra regional trade would establish sounder economic footing while helping to moderate the cyclical nature of commodities markets, as well. Nations across Latin America and the Caribbean can focus more attention on improving their respective investment climates. Mr. Rooney, the ranking minority member has made this case effectively many, many times. For its part, the United States should come to the 2021 summit with a robust economic expansion initiative. Absent a massive economic financial package of debt relief and new lending, renewal of a hemispheric trade and investment agenda will be the best way to promote regional recovery, support US and regional economic interests and renew a regional strategic posture that China has begun to challenge. 2:11:03 Julie Chung: So how does the United States continue to advocate democracy in Venezuela? I say sham of legislative election and the end of Guaido's mandate are rapidly approaching. How do we do that? Well, I don't if know if [inaudible] wanted this question. 2:13:03 Eric Farnsworth: There are huge amounts of illicit money being made and moved in Venezuela through illegal activities, illegal gold mining, drug trafficking and the like. And one of the best ways I think to get at the regime is to stanch the flow of those financial resources. And frankly, to identify and to freeze those funds and then also to begin to seize them and take them back at once the economic incentives for illegal behavior are removed or at least reduced, perhaps the political dynamic in Venezuela will change that people will begin to see that they really have to find a way out from this mess frankly, that Nicolas Maduro has created. 2:14:14 Monica de Bolle, PhD: It will be very hard to get other Latin American countries to focus on the issues in Venezuela given that they have runaway epidemics in their own countries. And we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that amongst the 10 countries that have the largest or the highest per capita death rate in the world right now are all in Latin America. 2:16:00 Michael Camilleri: Unfortunately, the Guaido interim government, the the National Assembly, the G4 are not in the same position they were in a year or your half ago, the balance of forces on the ground in Venezuela has tilted in favor of the Maduro regime. And so that will that will require us to calibrate our own efforts and invite view we need to be realistic about the fact that some sort of negotiated pathway to free and fair elections ultimately is the most realistic and the most peaceful, frankly, path out of the the awful situation that the country finds itself in. 2:23:21 Monica de Bolle, PhD: Apart from corruption, which is certainly a problem in the oil sector as well as in other parts of the Venezuelan economy, there's also been dramatic underinvestment in the oil industry, which has now led the country to this situation where, rather than being a very big net oil exporter, as they used to be in the 1980s in the 1990s, they've now become a net oil importer, which shows exactly how much you can squander your country's resources and just basically run an economy to the ground. 2:33:58 Eric Farnsworth: And what we're seeing is some concern in the investor community about actions that have been taken perhaps on the backtracking on the reform agenda around energy in particular, but in other sectors as well, canceling contracts that have been previously agreed, and some other actions like that and the investment community is very cautious. Hearing: PROTECTING DEMOCRACY DURING COVID–19 IN EUROPE AND EURASIA AND THE DEMOCRATIC AWAKENING IN BELARUS, Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, Energy, and the Environment, September 10, 2020 Watch on Youtube Witnesses: Douglas Rutzen President and CEO of the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law Professor at Georgetown University Law Center Advisory Board member of the United Nations Democracy Fund Therese Pearce Laanela Head of Electoral Processes at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance Joanna Rohozinska Resident Program Director for Europe at the Beacon Project at the International Republican Institute Senior program officer for Europe at the National Endowment for Democracy at least as of 2019. She has worked there for about a decade Jamie Fly Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund and Co-Director of the Alliance for Security Democracy Senior Advisor to WestExec Advisors Co-founded by incoming Secretary of State, Antony Blinken Former President and CEO of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in 2019 & 2020 Former counselor for foreign and national security affairs for Sen. Marco Rubio from 2013-2017 Former Executive Director of the Foreign Policy Initiative from 2009-2013 Former member of GWB's National Security Council from 2008-2009 Former member of GWB's Office of the Secretary of Defense from 2005-2008 Transcript: 53:30 Joanna Rohozinska: Lukshenko must be held responsible for his choices and actions. Word mating strategies with transatlantic allies should be priority and to call for dialogue, immediate release of political prisoners and support for the political opposition's demands for holding elections under international supervision and beginning negotiations on a Lukshenko transition. 53:56 Joanna Rohozinska: Support for democracy requires patience as well as long term commitment and vision. This has been made possible with the support of Congress to IRI and the family. Thank you and I look forward to your questions. 1:03:05 Therese Pearce Laanela: Institutions that are as strong...What we are seeing... those that are able to safeguard and against disinformation for example, they are working in innovative ways because this isn't a challenge that existed really as much before social media and one of the things that we're seeing is a kind of interagency cooperation, a partnership between private and public. That's really hasn't been seen before. Let me just take Australia as a case, but the working together with social media companies and government agencies and security agencies and election officials for rapid reaction to anything that comes in and that kind of seamless communication between agencies, that is one of the ways in which we can protect. 1:04:15 Jamie Fly: We have tools. Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty has a Bella Russian language service Radio Svoboda which has significant of followers inside Belarus. The problem is that Lukashenko like many other authoritarians have realized that when they face significant pressure, they should take the country offline. And Belarusian authorities have done that on a regular basis, which makes it much more difficult to communicate and allow information to spread freely. So what they really need outlets like Svoboda and other independent media are access to internet circumvention tools, which are also funded by the State Department and the US Agency for Global Media. 1:09:57 Douglas Rutzen: China is providing surveillance technology to countries including Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Serbia. They also provided a $2 billion dollar loan to Hungry to construct a railway which Hungry then classified as a state secret in terms of the construction. 1:19:28 Brian Fitzpatrick: In 2013, in 2000, and he saw large scale protests in Ukraine, following what many believed to be a falsification of elections by their federal officials. So my first question for the entire panel, do you believe that Belarus protests could lead to a revolution similar to the one we saw in Ukraine and secondarily, on Tuesday, President Lukashenko, refused to rule out the idea of holding new elections, and acknowledge that he may have overstayed his time at office, whether or not you see revolutions similar to Ukraine, do you think that these protests could lead to an actual change in leadership? Joanna Rohozinska: So I take it as a question to me. I mean, I think that things have been building up and I would say that with this similarity to Ukraine was that there was also a deep seated frustration with corruption. Here, it's less about corruption. But it's still meets, where you have the accountability and transparency aspect of it that I was mentioning in my testimony. And I think that the frustration with the lack of responsive government and being treated like animals, frankly, is what they say, is what finally boiled over, but there's been, there's been an uptick in protests in Belarus, if you watch these kinds of things over the past two years, over the parasite tax, for example, which was also was a special tax that was put on unemployment, and on to penalize people who are unemployed, is trying to target civic activists, but it ended up reaching far farther than that. So you can see things percolating below the surface for quite a long time. Now. You never know when it's going to blow. Here, I think that there was just the COVID, underlay everything and it mobilized such a broad swath of society, that the trigger event was finally the elections, which again, demonstrating a degree of hubris they decided not to put off right, they figured that holding the elections at the beginning of August was the best thing to do, because there is always a low torque turnout and all this, frankly, because people tend to go out to the countryside. So they simply miscalculated. They did not understand how the people were feeling

Naomi Pohl, Deputy General Secretary of the Musicians' Union, and Julia Rowan, Policy Coordinator at The Ivors Academy, look into the complexities of the royalties artists receive from the streaming of their music, and discuss why the current spotlight being shone on this thorny topic before a parliamentary select committee could make a crucial difference in achieving a fair share for musicians in the "streaming economy." 
 If you enjoy this conversation, please subscribe, check out our other great episodes, and even better leave us a review. You can also follow us on social media and sign up to our mailing list at www.polyphonyarts.com/mailing-list  for updates and news about Music Works and Polyphony Arts. Producer: Virtual Concert Halls

This is a special episode of Love Zero Waste. In collaboration with Zero Waste Europe, the number-one expert organisation on all matters zero waste in Europe, throughout October, we’ve been scanning the continent’s zero waste trends focusing on four areas: (1) reuse, (2) zero waste shopping, (3) quitting single-use plastics and (4) the impact of plastics on our health. This episode is the summary, the ultimate highlight compilation of all the interviewed we conducted. You’ll meet 12 experts and frontrunners, working in some of the most exciting business, government and civil society organisations across Europe, to tackle specific aspects of zero waste. Our guests: - Alice Bah Kuhnke, politician in the European Parliament https://www.instagram.com/alicebahkuhnke - Alec Mills and Celia Pool, co-founders of DAME https://wearedame.co - Bettina Steinbrugger, CEO and co-founder of Erdbeerwoche https://erdbeerwoche.com - Chloé Mikolajczak, sustainable development campaigner and host of the Burning case podcast https://www.instagram.com/theburningcasepodcast https://www.instagram.com/thegreenmonki - Joan Marc Simon, director of Zero Waste Europe https://zerowasteeurope.eu - Justine Maillot, Consumption & Production Campaigner at Zero Waste Europe & Policy Coordinator at the Rethink Plastic alliance of Zero Waste Europe https://zerowasteeurope.eu https://rethinkplasticalliance.eu - Katja Sres, head of public relations at Ecologists without borders Slovenia https://ebm.si - Larissa Copello, consumption and production campaigner of Zero Waste Europe https://zerowasteeurope.eu - Linda Vasilescu, co-founder of R-CREATE http://www.r-create.ro - Sofia Sydorenko, coordinator of Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine https://www.instagram.com/zwaukraine/ https://zerowastelviv.org.ua/doslidzhennia-the-lancet/ - Susana Fonseca, board member of ZERO Portugal https://zero.ong/ Call to action! We have two specific calls to action with this episode: - Sign The Bloody Manifesto, by November 26, 2020: http://bit.ly/signmanifesto - Learning by self-reflection Throughout listening to the show we urge you to reflect on the following questions: What am I learning? How can I contribute to the transition towards a zero waste society? Take notes on a piece of paper, on your phone, by scribbling in the sand! Listen, contemplate and act! Sources https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/pdf/new_circular_economy_action_plan.pdf https://www.wen.org.uk/environmenstrualweek https://www.wen.org.uk/our-work/environmenstrual https://www.forbes.com/sites/serenaoppenheim/2019/01/31/hello-plastic-free-periods-the-worlds-first-reusable-tampon-applicator https://reports.mintel.com/display/858711/ https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xMjUwNzU5LnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC01NjUzNDUw?hl=en-AT&ved=2ahUKEwiXguie9PPsAhWK3eAKHcZTA7YQjrkEegQIDBAI&ep=6 https://gimletmedia.com/shows/howtosaveaplanet/wbhn73b/the-green-wave https://www.sis.se/en/news/swedish-stakeholders-request-global-iso-standards-for-menstrual-products Sources Zero Waste Europe Reusable & toxic-free menstrual products, 2018, ZWE, https://zerowasteeurope.eu/downloads/64575/ https://friendsoftheearth.uk/plastics/tyres-and-microplastics-time-reinvent-wheel https://zerowasteeurope.eu/products/ https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/?fwp_library_programmes=consumption-production https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/dare-to-imagine-a-better-future https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/towards-safe-food-contact-materials-in-a-toxic-free-circular-economy https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/reusable-packaging-and-covid-19 https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/packaging-free-shops-in-europe-an-initial-report https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/how-to-make-packaging-free-shops-go-mainstream

Walk, Listen, and Learn with Yaacov Delaney and me, as we discuss mass incarceration, specifically how communities of color all across Illinois are impacted. Yaacov Delaney is a Policy Coordinator for the Justice, Equity, and Opportunity Initiative within the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. His work focuses on justice reform at the state level. Yaacov has also worked as an organizer for restorative and justice reform at the Community Renewal Society and he is the founder of Breaking Cycles, a support group providing trauma-informed care to people impacted by the justice system who are re-entering their communities. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/ltgovstratton/message

This episode is with Ambassador Wendy Sherman about the recent revelations that Russia paid bounties to the Taliban to attack US troops as well as effective leadership in this critical moment in our history. Ambassador Sherman is a professor of the practice of public leadership and the director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. Ambassador Sherman was the former Counselor of the State Department under Secretary Madeleine Albright, former Special Advisor to President Clinton and Policy Coordinator on North Korea, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs under Secretary Warren Christopher, and former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. Amb. Sherman also led the U.S. negotiating team that reached agreement on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1, the European Union, and Iran for which, among other diplomatic accomplishments, she was awarded the National Security Medal by President Barack Obama. Ambassador Sherman is currently an MSNBC global affairs contributor and on the USA TODAY Board of Contributors. Most recently and excitingly, Ambassador Sherman is the author of, Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power, and Persistence, which is available in paperback edition today, so be sure to buy that! Intergenerational Politics is a video series created by Jill Wine-Banks and Victor Shi dedicated to engaging all generations in politics with weekly unfiltered conversations with experts across the nation.

Researchers say the Covid-19 pandemic offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of urban planning in Africa. One of the researchers, Research & Policy Coordinator at the University of Southern Queensland Australia, Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, reflects on their findings and recommendations.  Guest: Michael Odei Erdiaw-Kwasie, Research & Policy Coordinator at University of Southern Queensland Host: Africa Melane, Early Breakfast Topic: Can Covid-19 transform urban planning in Africa? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this segment of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Anthony Rogers Wright, Policy Coordinator with Climate Justice Alliance, to discuss how Big Oil spent decades and millions of dollars convincing Americans to recycle plastic waste which would ultimately be discarded in landfills, how major US oil corporations work to 'greenwash' their own reputations while guilt-tripping consumers, and why it's often so difficult to hold multinational corporations responsible for their crimes against working people.

In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Jason Dzubow, an immigration attorney, partner at Dzubow & Pilcher, PLLC and blogger at www.asylumist.com, to talk about the disturbing new testimony from a whistleblower at an ICE facility in Georgia revealing an apparent effort to force detainees to undergo hysterectomies, the long history of sterilization campaigns for those deemed "undesirable" by the US government, and how efforts by ICE to crack down on protesters in DC generated a COVID-19 outbreak at a Virginia facility which has already claimed at least one life.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Anthony Rogers Wright, Policy Coordinator with Climate Justice Alliance, to discuss how Big Oil spent decades and millions of dollars convincing Americans to recycle plastic waste which would ultimately be discarded in landfills, how major US oil corporations work to greenwash their own reputations while guilt-tripping consumers, and why it's often so difficult to hold multinational corporations responsible for their crimes against working people.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Arnold August, a Montreal-based writer, journalist, lecturer, and author of several books including "Cuba U.S. Relations: Obama and Beyond," to discuss how the new shipment of Iranian crude to Venezuela demonstrates an increasing willingness to resist unilateral economic aggression, how the development may help to bring about a multipolar world, and why the heavily-armed former marine captured near Venezuela's most important oil refinery increasingly appears to be a US-backed saboteur and spy.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Eleanor Goldfield, a creative activist, journalist, co-host of the Common Censored podcast with Lee Camp and the filmmaker behind the new documentary “Hard Road Of Hope," to talk about the legacy late, widely-beloved activist Kevin Zeese, the right-wing attempts to shift the blame for the shooting of two Compton sherriffs by an unknown assailant onto the broader movement against police terror, and why the latest horrors exposed in ICE facilities remind us that an injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Welcome to The Prison Post. This is your podcast for conversations surrounding the need to reform prisons from the perspective of formerly incarcerated people, community members, and leaders of the restorative justice movement. The Prison Post will feature an episode every Wednesday with people who are in the fight to restore lives and heal communities. In this episode we'll be talking with Miguel Garcia, the Policy Coordinator at the Anti Recidivism Coalition. Miguel is heavily involved in his community as a youth justice advocate, a passion that began after his incarceration in the juvenile system. He received his Bachelor's degree in political science and international relations from the University of California, Riverside and serves as a public policy fellow with Human Rights Watch. The Prison Post is a production of the CROP Organization. We'll be sharing more stories from the world of prison reform and restorative justice, so please join us. You can listen to The Prison Post on all major podcasting platforms. See the video of this episode and subscribe to our videocast on YouTube at The Prison Post, like us on Facebook at The Prison Post and at Creating Restorative Opportunities and Programs.

POLICY, a Chicago Sustainability Series Dialogue held on March 30th, 2017 in support of Food + Water Watch-Midwest's efforts at The People's Climate March at Civis Analytics.Featuring a panel discussion with Joyce Coffee (The President of Climate Resilience Consulting), Deborah Stone, (Cook County's Chief Sustainability Officer and the Director of the Cook County Department of Environmental Control), and Ashley Munson, (then Policy Coordinator at the Illinois Environmental Council).In keeping with our ongoing partnership with Healthy Soil Compost + Nature's Little Recyclers, all food and food waste was composted.In partnership with Assembly Required, we produced intersectional environmental justice posters and signs that we utilized at the 2017 People's Climate March in Chicago.The POLICY Dialogue raised $165 for Food + Water Watch-Midwest in support of their co-organizing efforts for The People's Climate March in Chicago.Learn more about The Chicago Sustainability Series at SustainTheChi.com.

Federal agents lined up in Portland, Ore. Photo by Tuck Woodstock On this show: 0:08 – Trump's Postmaster General, a major donor to the Trump campaign, is cracking down on work hours by deliberately instructing USPS employees to cut their routes short and delay First Class mail. Why is the agency deliberately underfunded, and what does this mean for its future? Philip Rubio is professor of history at North Carolina A&T State University and author of the book Undelivered: From the Great Postal Strike of 1970 to the Manufactured Crisis of the U.S. Postal Service. 0:34 – Santa Rita is reporting over 100 cases of Covid-19. For more on the outbreak we talk with Jose Bernal of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Sikander Iqbal of Urban Peace Movement, who has a friend inside the jail, and Darby Aono (@darbyaono), a student at Berkeley Law who has been tracking the cases inside. 1:08 – Federal agents made national news for snatching protesters off of Portland, Oregon streets and tear gassing crowds at uprisings for racial justice and against police repression. But Portland independent journalist Tuck Woodstock (@tuckwoodstock) says the frightening tactics of the federal agents are not that different from those of the Portland Police Bureau or Multnomah County Sheriffs, which residents have already been enduring. Woodstock, who has covered the protests since May, gives us an on-the-ground update.  1:20 – Ken Klippenstein is a D.C. correspondent with The Nation. He obtained an internal memo about the role of Border Patrol agents in cracking down on protesters in Portland. Read his recent reporting here. 1:45 – Tonight, Oakland's city council will finally vote on a possible significant reduction in the police budget. James Burch is Policy Coordinator with the Anti-Police Terror Project, he joins us to talk about the vote. Community members who want to attend the meeting can download the agenda here.   The post Protests continue in Portland under brutal police and federal repression; How the crisis at the U.S. Postal Service undermines elections by mail; Covid spreads at Santa Rita Jail appeared first on KPFA.

On this show: 0:08 – Is organized labor poised to expel police unions? We talk with Bill Fletcher, Jr., long-time writer and social justice activist, with work in the trade union movement, electoral politics and international affairs. 1:08 – John Eligon is a national correspondent for the New York Times covering race. He has been in Minneapolis reporting on the uprising after the police killing of George Floyd. 1:34 – Vallejo police shot and killed another person on Tuesday. Brian Krans, independent journalist, contributor to Open Vallejo, joins us. Editor's note 9/2/2020: The name of the shooting victim is Sean Monterrosa. 1:45 – What does defunding the police look like in Oakland? James Burch is Policy Coordinator with the Anti-Police Terror Project. The post Vallejo police shoot and kill unarmed man; plus, John Eligon on the uprising for George Floyd in Minneapolis appeared first on KPFA.

On this episode, Peter Ravella and Tyler Buckingham talk to Mandy Sackett, the California Policy Coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation. Mandy advocates for the protection of all 1,100 miles of California’s coastline. This work includes tracking development applications at the California Coastal Commission (CCC) and participating in the state’s efforts to adapt to climate change, and planning for sea level rise. Recently, Mandy lead Surfrider's efforts to stop a bluff armoring project on the famous Strands Beach in Del Mar, California, a project that would have interfered with public use. After marshaling beach advocates and local high school students -- who waited six hours to testify -- they WON. Smart planning and adaptation are the key to ensuring California’s waves and beaches - and the recreational opportunities they provide - survive as sea levels rise. It takes effective action in the public arena to win. Check out this recent victory for the beach defenders with Mandy Sackett. Only on ASPN, Voice of the Coastal Community! Only on ASPN, Voice of the Coastal Community!

On this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Dr. Bill Honigman, California State Coordinator and Co-Coordinator of the Healthcare as a Human Right Issue Organizing Team for Progressive Democrats of America, to talk about the news that Pete Buttigieg has suspended his presidential campaign, how Joe Biden was able to pull off such a convincing victory in South Carolina, why Mike Bloomberg continues to stay in the race despite appearing to have already served his purpose from the Democratic establishment's perspective, how Tulsi Gabbard is using her campaign's bully pulpit to combat reactionary Russiagate fearmongering and redbaiting, which candidates are bringing something progressive to the table and which are just freeloaders, how the various Super Tuesday primaries are set to play out tomorrow, and whether Biden will be able to take advantage of so many candidates dropping out and consolidate the centrist vote. In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by international affairs and security analyst Mark Sleboda to talk about hopes for a replacement ceasefire agreement in Syria's jihadist-controlled Idlib province, how Turkey rationalized breaking the ceasefire after Russia and Syria continued bombing jihadist non-signatories, Turkey's role in arming and providing logistical support for the euphemistically-labeled "rebels," whether the degree to which Russian and Turkish interests are opposed precludes any real possibility of the two countries reaching a truly mutually beneficial agreement, the role of spite in the decision by Turkish President Recep Erdogan to flood Greek borders with migrants, the geopolitical dynamics behind the assault on Sputnik journalists by Turkish nationalists over the weekend, and why those journalists were subsequently detained by authorities in Ankara. In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Anthony Rogers-Wright, Policy Coordinator with Climate Justice Alliance, to talk about why Trump is proposing changes to the National Environmental Policy Act, what the changes would mean for vulnerable communities in the path of fossil fuel infrastructure projects, how the elimination of the Environmental Impact Statement requirement would jeopardize attempts to revitalize various populations of endangered species, what the ongoing assault on our remaining environmental regulations reveals about the prioritization of public health under the Trump administration, where this move fits into broader attempts to roll back what protections have been achieved by the working class and the environmental movements, and how concerned community members can get involved in the fight against corporate extractivism.Later in the show, Jacquie and Sean are joined by award-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist Ted Rall to talk about the three Democratic contenders dropping out over the past 24 hours, how the latest movements in the horse race will impact the apparent decision by the Democratic establishment to force a brokered convention, what Elizabeth Warren's acknowledgment that she could only triumph via a brokered convention reveals about her role in the race at this point, whether support from party insiders will be enough for Joe Biden to sustain the momentum he gained from his South Carolina victory, how the mainstream media has turned the 2020 presidential race from a referendum on Donald Trump to a referendum on Bernie Sanders, why the continuing media attacks on Sanders only serve to vindicate and energize his supporters, whether Bernie may be the best-positioned to attract support from anti-establishment swing voters who voted for Trump but have been disappointed by his broken promises, why the timing of the decisions by pro-establishment candidates to end their campaigns seems to have been coordinated for maximal political effect ahead of Super Tuesday, why the punditocracy continues equating Sanders' progressive platform with Trump's far-right program, and whether further attempts to rob Sanders of the Democratic nomination will lead to an irreparable schism within the party.

Prescription drug pricing has been the subject of much debate recently. Many think we should turn to Canada or other countries to address our domestic issues. But importation programs seem to be unsafe and ineffective ways to lower the price of medications. ALEC Director of the Health and Human Services Task Force Brooklyn Roberts and Policy Coordinator from the ALEC Center for Innovation Anna Parsons sit down with Senior Research Fellow Bob Graboyes from the Mercatus Center to discuss this growing issue.

Marissa Naranjo, Policy Coordinator for the All Pueblo Council of Governors joins us to talk about the APCG Youth Committee. IAD intern Shayna Naranjo, also a member of the APCG Youth Committee, shares her experience as well.

OT Clarice Miller (AOTA Advocacy and Policy Coordinator for the Home and Community Health Section) joins us to share her passion and advocacy plus tips for transitioning. PS We are reinventing! Check out www.tillandwater.com. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/homehealthotexplorer/message

Ms. Murphy served as the special assistant to the Office of the Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma (Myanmar). In addition, Murphy is the founder of Inle Advisory. In the conservation with her, there are three very important points: the importance for Southeast Asian countries of having a strong cohort of technocrats, which can save countries from an over-politicized public discourse, the high reputational risk of investing into some ASEAN countries, namely Myanmar, The Philippines and Vietnam and finally the need for ASEAN to have an alternative source of investments, one that can be less aggressive and more accountable than the BRI. She made clearly the case for a major presence of both American and European investments, which can improve both the standard of living of the most impoverished zones and provide a more accountable stream of investments in the region.

My Guest for episode 5 is Mikaela Chandler of Skookum Kids.Mikaela Chandler is the Advocacy and Policy Coordinator at Skookum Kids, a foster care focused non-profit in Bellingham. She moved into her role last August after previously working full time at Skookum House, a 24-hour emergency placement shelter, for 2 years. Skookum Kids operates various foster care oriented programs in Whatcom County. They aim to restore the foster care system by licensing and supporting foster parents, providing emergency care for initial removals, and advocating for smarter policy and collaboration to help serve vulnerable children in Washington state.  Check them out on Facebook ("Skookum Kids") and follow their Instagram (@skookumkids). Learn more at their website www.skookumkids.org.

Katharine Celentano is a Policy Coordinator with the Drug Policy Alliance. Based in Ithaca, she helps develop and implement state and municipal efforts to address drug use and opiate overdose. We discuss the status of Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) in Tompkins County, the basics of safer consumption spaces, and drug use as a health issue. This episode was recorded December 4, 2018. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 4:19 - LEAD 20:31 - Safer consumption spaces 46:17 - Drug policy Links: Katharine at the Drug Policy Alliance Katharine on Twitter

A political movement combining a left-wing economic program with anti-immigrant initiatives: it’s developing right now in Germany and France – could it happen here? David Adler explains: he’s the Policy Coordinator for the European Spring — Europe’s first transnational party, led by Yanis Varoufakis. He writing has appeared in the New York Times, Foreign Affairs, The Guardian, and Jacobin—and now he has the cover story in the new issue of The Nation. Also: 31,000 teachers are on strike right now in Los Angeles--it’s the biggest strike in a long time in the second biggest school district in the country, with 600,000 students. And it’s not just about salaries and benefits; the teachers say they want smaller classes, which means more teachers. Pedro Noguera reports. Plus: Like everybody else on the left, we’re excited about Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her proposal for a Green New Deal –but “the Left needs more than good ideas”--that’s what Kate Aronoff says. We need to change the economic and political consensus shaped by the right and build a political and intellectual infrastructure that can match theirs.

Welcome to the radio magazine that brings you news, commentary and analysis from a Black Left perspective. I’m Glen Ford, along with my co-host Nellie Bailey. Coming up: A critique of the recent national prison strike. A veteran activist says the strike’s organizers failed to consult local people on the ground; a California prisons activist addresses the difference between prison abolition and prison reform; and, we’ll talk to the author of a new book on How to be Less Stupid About Race. Brett Kavanaugh, President Trump’s nominee to be the next Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, had a hard time during last week’s Senate confirmation hearings. One of the many Americans that was glued to the television was Kevin Alexander Gray, the activist and author from Columbia, South Carolina. Gray says, even when the subject of contention is women’s rights, the SUBTEXT in America, is race. Efia Nwangaza is an activist and attorney based in Greenville, South Carolina, where she’s director of the Malcolm X Center for Self-Determination. The center also operates radio station WMXP. Nwangaza has been organizing around prison issues in South Carolina since 1978. She is critical of the leaders of the recent national prison strike, conducted from August 21st to September 9th. Nwangaza says the organizers failed to consult with local activists, inside or outside the prison walls. Romarilyn Ralston spent 23 years as an inmate of the California prison system. She’s now the Program Coordinator of Project Rebound, at the State University at Fullerton, and serves as Policy Coordinator for the California Coalition for Women Prisoners. It seems that Ralston has been on a mission since the moment she set foot outside the prison walls. Much of today’s political conversation seems to blame Donald Trump for American racism, sexism and endless wars. That’s not very smart, according to Dr. Crystal Fleming, a professor of sociology and Africana Studies at Stony Brook University, on Long Island, New York. Fleming is author of a new book, titled, “How to Be Less Stupid About Race.” She says, yes, Trump is a white supremacist warmonger, but so was his Democratic predecessor.

This webinar provides research-based observations and state-based examples of rural accountable care organizations (ACOs) and how they are relevant to state Flex Programs. In addition to the topic, this TASC 90 webinar will also include updates from the Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC), the Flex Monitoring Team and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), to include both the Flex program and policies impacting critical access hospitals (CAHs). Download webinar slides from The Center's website. Speakers: Tracy Morton, MPH, Program Manager, National Rural Health Resource Center Sarah Young, MPH, Flex Program Coordinator, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration Wakina Scott, PhD, MPH, Policy Coordinator, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration Karla Weng, MPH, Senior Program Manager, Stratis Health John Gale, MS, Researcher, University of Southern Maine, Flex Monitoring Team Xi Zhu, PhD, Researcher, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Rural Policy Research Institute Pat Schou, MS, Executive Director, Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN) This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB1RH24206, Information Services to Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Grantees, $1,100,000 (0% financed with nongovernmental sources). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

This webinar includes tips and best practices from the Technical Assistance and Services Center (TASC) and the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) for Flex Programs to wrap up the current Flex program year and start the new program year on September 1st. The webinar also includes updates from TASC, the Flex Monitoring Team (FMT), Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance (RQITA), Rural Health Value and FORHP, to include both the Flex Program and policies impacting critical access hospitals (CAHs). Download webinar slide decks from The Center's website. Host Tracy Morton, MPH, Program Manager, National Rural Health Resource Center Speakers Wakina Scott, MPH, PhD, Policy Coordinator, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration Kristin Reiter, PhD, Research Fellow, North Carolina Rural Health Research Program, Flex Monitoring Team Laura Grangaard Johnson, MPH, Research Analyst, Rural Quality Improvement Technical Assistance, Stratis Health Mike McNeely, Deputy Director, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration Sarah Young, MPH, Flex Program Coordinator, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration Caleb Siem, MHA, Program Specialist, National Rural Health Resource Center This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number UB1RH24206, Information Services to Rural Hospital Flexibility Program Grantees, $957,510 (0% financed with nongovernmental sources). This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Why has it been so difficult to find peace in Syria, and what are the complicating factors which are getting in the way of a deal? In early September the US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced a new agreement to reduce hostilities in Syria - the second attempt this year to initiate a ceasefire in a 5 year long civil war which has so far cost around half a million lives and displaced millions more people.Within a week of the announcement, the US had bombed President Assad's troops - an accident, it says - and Russia was accused of blowing up an aid convoy. The deal looks like it is disintegrating fast.So why has it been so hard to find resolution in Syria? Could it be that international intervention is part of the problem - elongating the war, rather than finding resolution?In this week's programme, David Aaronovitch and guests explore the hugely complex process of negotiating peace in Syria - one which involves multiple international players, hundreds of opposition groups, a jihadi insurgency and an arrogantly defiant Assad regime. What is the missing link in the current negotiations which could sustain the country's progress on the path to peace?CONTRIBUTORSAmbassador Fred Hof, Director of the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Centre for the Middle East and former advisor to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on transition in SyriaCharles Lister, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, Washington DC and author of The Syrian JihadYasmine Nahlawi, Researcher in International Law at Newcastle University and Advocacy & Policy Coordinator for Rethink Rebuild SocietyDr Chris Phillips, Senior Lecturer in International Relations at Queen Mary University of London and author of The Battle for SyriaProducer: Richard Fenton-Smith Researcher: Alex Burton

TOPICGiving People a Voice IN THIS EPISODE[01:31] Introduction of Dr. Craig Martinez. [01:59] Introduction of Veronica Garibay and Phoebe Seaton. [02:27] Craig describes the California Endowment and its mission. [03:15] Craig explains that health happens in neighborhoods, not just in a doctor’s office. [04:10] Craig shares why this work is important to him. [05:27] What is the geographic description of the San Joaquin Valley, and what are the economic and social conditions there? [07:00] What are the health outcomes overall within San Joaquin Valley? [09:43] Craig shares that there’s a benefit to building healthier communities to get better health outcomes. [11:26] Veronica describes the organization of the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. [15:23] What steps are needed to give people a voice when they aren’t being heard in their communities? [20:01] Phoebe shares why this work is important to her. [21:22] Veronica shares why this work is important to her. [23:54] Craig shares that the people who produce the food for the country don’t have the most basic quality of life. [25:26] Craig explains how the California Endowment and the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability are working together. [28:10] Phoebe and Veronica explain the partnership of the work they’ve been doing together with the California Endowment. [30:32] Phoebe and Craig share how people can access their work and get in touch with them. [32:03] Craig, Phoebe, and Veronica share one change that would lead to smarter, more sustainable, and more equitable communities. [32:45] Veronica, Phoebe, and Craig share the action that listeners can take to help build a more equitable and sustainable future. [33:25] Veronica, Phoebe, and Craig explain what the San Joaquin Valley looks like 30 years from now. GUESTSDr. Craig Martinez, joined The California Endowment in May 2012 as a program manager to work towards policy and systems changes that will result in improved neighborhood environments that support health. Prior to joining The Endowment, Dr. Martinez served as a health policy advisor in the Health Policy Office of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee. He is based in The California Endowment’s Los Angeles office. Veronica Garibay is Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. Veronica immigrated from Michoacan, Mexico at a young age along with her parents and four siblings to the City of Parlier in Fresno County. Veronica grew up in this small farmworker town and graduated from Parlier Unified District Schools. As a first generation student, she attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Law and Society in 2008. Upon graduation, Veronica joined the California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. Community Equity Initiative (CEI) as the programs first Community Worker. While at CRLA Veronica earned a Master of Public Administration from Fresno State. Phoebe Seaton is Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. Prior to launching Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Phoebe directed the Community Equity Initiative (CEI) at California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. and was the Policy Coordinator for issues related to water and land use at California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation. She initiated the CEI to address critical infrastructure and service deficits in low income, unincorporated communities in California. She and her colleagues at CRLA litigated civil rights and fair housing claims and maintained a robust writ practice, litigating against local and state agencies. At CRLA, Seaton also directed the organization’s Delano office and engaged in legal advocacy on Housing and Employment claims. She received her JD from UCLA and her BA in History from UC Berkeley. Prior to and during law school, Phoebe worked in Guatemala, addressing...

Enrico Maria Carlini, head of Management and engineering of the electric system at the Italian power TSO, Terna Recorded 26 January 2016 in Milan at the SmartNet project kick-off meeting, in this interview by Ilaria Conti, Research and Policy Coordinator from the Florence School of Regulation, Enrico Maria Carlini talks about the evolution of the roll of TSOs and DSOs and tells us what the SmartNet project means to Terna. “The project (SmartNet) is very important for us, for the transmission operator point of view, taking into account that dispersed generation is now more or less 22 or 25% of the total energy produced in Italy” “Looking at the future of course, we have more integration between TSOs and DSOs, particularly on the real time information that we need to exchange”

Andris Piebalgs is Adviser to the President of Latvia and former Commissioner for Energy (Barroso I) and for Development (Barroso II) and now Senior Fellow at the Florence School of Regulation. Security of gas supply, is there enough security and is there enough supply? How important are long term contracts? An EU external energy policy? An interview by Ilaria Conti, Research and Policy Coordinator from the Florence School of Regulation Recorded 17 November 2015 “There are some security of supply issues that make this topic geopolitical, that make this topic also emotional, and because of all this complexity it is also a very interesting topic” “long term contracts… it is also security of demand, because producers need to invest a lot” “There are two challenges […] for the EU on Long Term Contracts: one is transparency”

After introducing the main features of the EU Infrastructure Package, Catharina Sikow-Magny (DG Energy) confirms to our microphone the dates of the first EU Forum on energy infrastructures. Listen to the podcast. http://fsr.eui.eu “Why is the infrastructure package so good?”, The role of ACER, and the Madrid, Florence and Copenhagen forums in perspective. Catharina Sikow-Magny is Head of Unit at Networks and Regional Initiatives, DG ENER, here she talks with Ilaria Conti, Research and Policy Coordinator at the Florence School of Regulation, about Energy Infrastructure. Recorded at “External Energy Security and Policy: Power and Gas Aspects” event organised by the Florence School of Regulation and E-Control in Vienna on the 5th October 2015. “The trans-European network regulation is actually I would say, four regulations in one, it is a very rich regulation, we still need to explore all the different articles, and are still sometimes discovering articles from the past” “There is a wide range of issues, where both sectors (Gas & Electricity) have similar questions that we can that we can then answer in a better way at the (Copenhagen) forum”

http://fsr.eui.eu Alberto Pototschnig is the Director of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. In this interview he answers questions about Capacity Remuneration Mechanisms, the subject of the Policy Workshop he is about to introduce at the Florence School of Regulation. Interview by Ilaria Conti | Research and Policy Coordinator, Florence School of Regulation Recorded 18 May 2015, at the FSR Regulatory Policy Workshop, A Target Model for Electricity Capacity Remuneration Schemes, in Florence, Italy. “That I think is the challenge, to make sure that the Capacity Remuneration Mechanisms are not a patch to a temporary problem, but to see how you can augment the target model that we have, with some sort of mechanisms to deal with adequacy issues, if we come to the view that this is necessary.” “the results of the last enquiry sparkled the 3rd package, now I don’t think we need a 4th package, but defiantly we need to look at the target model that we have, and see which additional components we may need, in order to make sure that all concerns and all challenges are addressed.”

We talked about California's historic drought, what's causing it, and the state's lack of preparedness. We also discussed what other states can learn about being prepared for Climate Change and environmental racism with Aurash Khawarzad, the Policy Coordinator at WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

The Johnson County Task Force on Aging hosts Donna Harvey, the head of the Iowa Department on Aging and Kim Murphy, the Policy Coordinator for the Iowa Department on Aging.