95bFM: The Wire

What does the future hold for the world’s children? Twenty-fifty is now twenty-six years away, and a recent report made by UNICEF makes predictions based off of three megatrends they have developed.

By the twenty-fifties, the global child population is expected to stabilise at 2.3 billion, the most substantial areas of growth being in South Asia and most of the African continent. These areas already struggle to meet children’s basic needs, which are also now affected by a rapidly changing climate and a lack of adequate digital infrastructure.

Half of the world’s children today - 1 billion - live in countries where there is a greater risk of climate and environmental hazards. Adding on to this is the gradual increase of urbanisation, the development of compact city living. Without adequate infrastructure to support this influx, these factors will jeopardise the future development of children.

The future is ours to shape, and to continue down a ‘business as usual’ is the easiest path, but will create a worse reality. To understand these ideas in full, Sasha spoke to UNICEF Aotearoa Director of Communications, Tania Sawicki Mead about the recent report and its implications for the future of global childhood.

This week on the Wednesday Wire:

For our weekly catch up with the Green Party's Ricardo Menéndez March, News and Editorial Director, Joel, speaks to him about  the gang patch ban coming into effect last week, as well as ​​New Zealand's fall in ranking on the Climate Change Performance Index and The Ministry of Health's evidence brief and position statement on puberty blockers.

Wire Host Oto speaks to a representative of the student led-advocacy group - We Are the University, Java Grant, and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Social Work and member of the Tertiary Education Union, Sean Sturn, about a recent protest led by students and lecturers outside the University of Auckland’s new Recreation centre.

Producer Sasha speaks to  UNICEF Aotearoa Director of Communications, Tania Sawicki Mead about the recent State of the World’s Children Report and its implications for the future of childhood.

Oto speaks to Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law at the University of Auckland, Treasa Dunworth, about the arrest issued by the International Criminal Court towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister - Yoav Gallant

And Oto also speaks to Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, Bronwyn Hayward, on the recent COP29 summit in Azerbaijan and whether or not it effectively addressed climate change.

Whakarongo mai!

Last week, Judges at the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israel’s prime minister - Benjamin Netanyahu, former defence minister - Yoav Gallant and the military commander of Hamas - Mohammad Deif.

As a result of the warrants, any countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court would be required to arrest those charged and hand them over to the court in the Hague. 

The move is considered to be particularly significant, as it’s the first incident in which the leaders of a western-allied country are receiving warrants from the court.

Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to Treasa Dunworth - An Associate Professor in the Faculty of :aw at the University of Auckland, to discuss the warrants, their significance and efficacy.

The 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, commonly known as COP29, concluded in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku last week. 

Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to Bronwyn Hayward a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Canterbury, to discuss the outcomes of the COP29 conference and the New Quantified Goal in Climate Finance that came from it.

On the 25th of November, the University of Auckland’s new recreation and wellness centre officially opened for students and staff members.

The recreation centre boasts a 26,000 square metre facility equipped with amenities such as an 8-lane swimming pool, two sports halls and a large gym.

However, around the time of the centre’s opening, a protest was held outside the building by students, lecturers, university staff and members of the Tertiary education union in opposition to the rec centres opening and the expenditure that went into it.

According to the protestors in attendance, the $320 million expenditure that went into the rec centre’s development could not be justified, while staff were still fighting for fair pay agreements with university management and while numerous courses are facing cuts.

Wednesday Wire Host, Oto, spoke to Java Grant - A Representative of the student led-advocacy group - We Are the University, and Sean Sturn - an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Education and Member of the Tertiary Education Union, to discuss why the protest outside the new rec centre was held, and the concerns that staff and students had with UoA management.

This week on the Tuesday Wire...

For Dear Science, our expert Doctor Cushla McGoverin chatted with us about amphibian fossils in Wyoming and squirting cucumbers.

In our weekly catchup with the National Party, Wire host Castor spoke to MP Tom Rutherford about last week’s gang patch ban and Aotearoa’s emissions targets in light of COP29. 

They also spoke to Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Information and Technology in Monash University in Melbourne, Jathan Sadowski about Artificial Intelligence and work.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Auckland’s Bioengineering Institute, Alys Clark, about research into the link between the placenta and the heart using virtual models.

They also spoke to Joyce Cook Chair in Aging Well and Professor at the University of Auckland, Ngaire Kerse, about the loneliness epidemic among older people.

New technologies have always been announced and marketed as ways to advance society and push humanity forward. This past couple of years the hot new technology seems to be generative AI, which from its inception now sees use across almost every sector. From digital marketing to google to facebook, no part of the internet seems exempt from artificial intelligence.

The mass use of artificial intelligence has, however, raised alarm bells for some, who say its use and spread may disproportionately affect some groups of people. Wire host Castor spoke to Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Information and Technology in Monash University in Melbourne, Jathan Sadowski, about how new technology, particularly AI, seems to always benefit those on top.

A team of scientists at the University of Auckland have recently received a $1 million grant to investigate the link between babies having low weight at birth, and developing heart problems later in life. The team will be using virtual models of the heart and placenta.

Producer Athena spoke to Associate Professor from the Auckland Bioengineering Institute, at the University of Auckland, Alys Clark, who will co-lead the study alongside fellow academic, Jo James, about how the study will be conducted, and what the team hopes to achieve with its findings.

A recent report by Age Concern has revealed 59% of people aged 65 or older experience feelings of loneliness and social isolation, of which 30% experienced those feelings often or always. These results indicate what is being called a “loneliness epidemic”.

Producer Athena spoke to Joyce Cook Chair in Aging Well, and Professor at the University of Auckland, Ngaire Kerse, about how the loneliness epidemic among older people arose, the effects of loneliness and isolation, and potential ways to address the issue.

After a new report from the science media centre mentions that after reviewing the evidence around puberty blockers for children with gender dysphoria, the Ministry of Health is taking a more precautionary approach.

Producer Yesenia spoke to paediatric endocrinologist and Professor at the University of Auckland Paul Hofman  about the multidisciplinary approach the ministry of health is wanting to approach with Puberty Blockers and the changes coming for those seeking gender affirming care.