Smart and timely analysis on global challenges, by Future of Good subject matter experts.
There’s been much talk in recent weeks about Canada’s Security Council seat loss, but humanitarian and international affairs expert Rahul Chandran says there’s a set of deeper questions to explore. How can Canada uproot the racist foundations its foreign policy is built on? Is its foreign policy truly compassionate? Is it future-proof for a post-pandemic world?
Ten years out from the deadline for the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the entire world was turned upside down by the Coronavirus pandemic. While the crisis may have taken some spotlight away from the SDGs, these social impact leaders say it’s also deepened their understanding of what needs to change in order to meet the Goals in an inclusive, meaningful way.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the global protest against racism and police brutality are demanding deep changes to our political and social systems. The Learning Festival, from States of Change, is sharing lessons on how to make this kind of change happen, from public innovation thinkers and actors around the world. In week one, we learned that now is the time to harness unconventional ways of working together, from collaborating with political enemies to closing down defunct organizations.
Climate action typically includes street protests — gathering in person to show strength in numbers — and Earth Day is no exception. Pivoting to a digital live-stream event has meant major challenges for organizers, but also new opportunities for global connectedness and accessibility. Canadian activist movements can learn valuable lessons from Earth Day about refocusing quickly in the face of a major change of plans.
COVID-19 is highlighting some of the most pressing gaps in Canada’s social infrastructure — an underfunded healthcare system without ‘surge’ capacity, for example. The social impact sector should not waste this opportunity to address these gaps, and define the new normal in a post-Coronavirus world.