Today, we're speaking with Arto Sivonen, an activist and strategist fighting FOR human rights and AGAINST the climate crisis.

Originally from Finland, Arto divides his time between Nairobi, Bengaluru, and Helsinki as the founder and CEO of Måndag, a creative change agency.

A lot is happening in Africa and on the Indian subcontinent regarding young people leading movements for change, and Arto has the pulse on these movements.

I first came across Arto and his work when I saw one of his Instagram posts about organizing for Palestinian human rights in Helsinki. With statements like: "Call us a bunch of utopians, but we think positive change is unstoppable," Arto shares his radical change ideas with us.

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Thanks to our Founding Member: RISE Travel Institute, a nonprofit with a mission to create a more just and equitable world through travel education.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The tension between capitalism and activism
• What could the world of radical honesty look like
• Why ethical storytelling decenters the storyteller
• Why Arto thinks East Africa, the Middle East, and India are places to be right now
• Taking the global North off the pedestal
• Climate colonialism: sustainable tourism in the context of colonization
• Can ecotourism ever be good?
• What's wrong with travel?
• Climate crisis in Polynesia
• Why Arto thinks flying is too cheap
• Arto's life in two suitcases between India and Kenya
• How land in America is connected to consumerism
• What it was like living in Nairobi and Bengaluru
• Yulia and Arto have a favorite spot they share in Finland
• What gives Arto hope

Featured on the show:

• Follow @artosivonen on Instagram
• Learn more about Måndag

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Going Places with Yulia Denisyuk is a show that sparks a better understanding of people and places near and far by fostering a space for real conversations to occur. Each week, we sit down with travelers, journalists, creators, and people living and working in destinations around the world. Hosted by Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer who's worked with National Geographic, The New York Times, BBC Travel, and more. 

Learn more about our show at goingplacesmedia.com.