Many of us are lucky to grow older, and in Europe there is an aging demographic. With this come the diseases of aging such as dementia and a burden on family and society for care.

For a long time people have thought this inevitable but we will learn today that, as with so many diseases, lifestyle changes from a young age can counteract this, to reduce the risk of getting dementia and also stabilising mental decline.

In 2021, 20.8% of the EU population was aged 65 years or older. In 2019, an Alzheimer Europe report on the prevalence of dementia estimated that there were about 9 million people living with the disease in Europe. This number is projected to double by 2050, rising towards 19 million in the European region. Globally, there are around 55 million people worldwide who are living with dementia. However, research is now showing that up to 45% of dementias could be prevented: by addressing a range of modifiable risk factors, at different stages of our lives.

My guests today are:

Dr. Ange Bradshaw: Director for Research at Alzheimer’s Europe

Dr. Joëlle Fritz: Research and Strategy Specialist, Luxembourg Institute of Health

Dr. Francesca Mangialasche: Geriatrician, Division of Clinical Geriatrics: Alzheimer Research Center Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Executive Director of the World-Wide FINGERS Global Scientific Coordinating Center at the FINGERS Brain Health Institute

Hassan Fadli: Founder, 5 Ironmans Beat Alzheimer's Association

The 2024 World Alzheimer’s report noted that 80% of people think dementia is a normal part of ageing, and 65% of healthcare professionals.

Only 2% of the population are affected by rare genetic factors but for most of us this is not the case. ‘Modifiable risk factors’ can be replaced to deter and stall dementia.

Francesca Mangialasce is based at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and also works as executive director of the ‘FINGERS’ Brain Health Institute, founded by Professor Mija Kivipelto, a world renowned researcher in the field of Alzheimer's disease and Dementia.

FBHI is dedicated to promoting healthy brain aging and preventing cognitive impairment and dementia through innovative multi-domain clinical research and the fast translation of these results into personalised clinical practice.

Brain is our main capital, and there is so much we can do to promote brain health. Studies have show that cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, high blood sugar or diabetes are risk factors for dementia. There are many other emerging factors such as hearing impairment, vision loss, impaired oral health. 

Being mentally, physically and socially active during life is important to reduce the risk of memory problems in old age. Secondary and tertiary prevention is also really important, even at the later stages of disease with therapies including art, dance and cognitive stimulation therapy . 

The FINGER study across 70 countries shows that a multi-domain approach can benefit cognition:exercise, healthy diet, cognitive training, good control of metabolic/vascular disorders, and social stimulation.

Stigma

Hassan Fadli’s father faced stigma in the village he lived all his life. This stigma deepens the pain of the suffering, knowing you are losing ‘yourself’. It is also a burden for the caregivers at a time when family and friends need the most help to support their loved one.  

Hassan promised his father to work towards breaking this stigma and founded the 5 Ironmans initiative. Hassan has also made a documentary of his advocacy work alongside the endurance sport to reach people from children in schools across Europe to the Queen of Sweden.  His aim is to bring brain health into normal conversation, break the stigma, and integrate brain health awareness into public discourse. 

Luxembourg support

Joëlle Fritz is working  as Research and Strategy Specialist at the Luxembourg Institute of Health where she aims to bridge research to clinical care. "Programme démence prevention" (pdp) is a programme raising awareness on modifiable risk factors for dementia prevention and promotes life style changes.

PDP is an integrated prevention concept funded by Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security. PDP is currently coordinated by the Centre Hospitalier  de Luxembourg in collaboration with national institutions (Luxembourg Institute of Health and Luxembourg Centre for System's Biomedicine at the University of Luxembourg) and partner associations (listed below). It is important to start as early as possible in the prevention of dementia, and so the PDP Braincoach app was created, accessible via browser to everyone also outside Luxembourg: www.pdp-app.lu

Associations related in Luxembourg:

L’Association nationale des diététiciens du Luxembourg: www.andl.lu

ZithaAktiv: www.zithaaktiv.lu  

Club Seniors of HELP asbl: www.help.lu

Club Senior “Schwaarze Wee” Dudelange:   www.schwaarzewee.lu

Lëtzebuerger Verein fir Gediechtnistraining: www.lvgt.lu

NEUROvitalis home and digital

Info-Zenter Demenz:   www.demenz.lu

Association Luxembourg Alzheimer (ala) : www.ala.lu 

Longevity with health 

The results are clear, for dementia and living a long life with good health: we need to put in place good habits of physical, social and mental health. 

Links to the notes above:

https://www.5ironmansbeatalzheimer.com

www.pdp.lu

https://www.alzheimer-europe.org

https://fbhi.se/sv/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/fingers-brain-health-institute/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/miia-kivipelto-8a8b1b3b/

https://www.chl.lu/fr

https://m3s.gouvernement.lu/en.html

https://www.uni.lu/lcsb-en/

https://ki.se/en

Coming up for air after being trapped in the fog of a cycle of domestic abuse – the story of (mostly) women who have finally found the strength to leave.

After a news review with Sasha Kehoe, the topic of today’s show is Domestic Violence.

Eric Lamhène and Rae Lyn Lee set out to make a film a few years ago where the back-story of one of the characters was domestic abuse. When they started their research in 2017, visiting shelters of victims, they realised this was the story they wanted to tell instead.

‘Breathing Underwater’ (Hors d’Haleine) is the result. Produced by Samsa Film, this Luxembourgish independent feature-length film was released in cinemas on 13th of November 2024 and will be re-shown on 7 March ahead of Women’s International Day on 8 March. Eric is the director and Rae Lyn is the co-writer and Director of Photography. www.breathingunderwater-film.com

My other guest, Christine Renzi, is a social worker who has worked with women and children at Foyer Sud for many years. Today she is part of a team that runs “Log-in”, part of Conseil National des Femmes du Luxembourg, CNFL.

Eric and Rae Lyn talk about the strength of women in the shelters they visited, the camaraderie and strife they share as they figure out a new path ahead. Eric mentions the fact that most of these women are ex-pats as Luxembourgish people tend to reconnect with family or friends here in these situations.

Christine tells us that even though some women (as it is mostly women) return, they usually, eventually, leave when the time is ready for them.

Both Christine, and Eric & Rae Lyn, have brought their work into schools and every time, whatever the socio-economic demographic, they have children come to talk to them as they know what this is about, they have lived it. Or they walk out as it is too painful for them to relive it.

Domestic abuse comes in many forms and it is not always physical. Psychological abuse can be more harmful in ways as it constantly chips away at the other’s confidence, gaining control of that person, making them feel as though they live in a fog of doubt. The victim’s circle diminishes, they may loose work and certainly loose confidence. Often there is a trigger to leave the home, and often this trigger is the children. 

Of course men are also victims although the figures at the moment for men are much lower than for women. Nonetheless, in Luxembourg law, both genders are seen in equitable terms.

What makes a (mostly) man abuse another? Eric says that his conversations with psychologists suggest it happens with these men are not in contact with their emotions. “The patriarchy hurts both sides”.

If you want to check the violence scale, here is a good resource:

https://oivf.seinesaintdenis.fr/app/uploads/2022/06/violentometre-2019-anglais.pdf

If you need help and support in Luxembourg please contact:

www.violence.lu

You can find more information from Eurostat here:

https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20241125-3 

www.breathingunderwater-film.com

Is Luxembourg too risk-averse to foster a true startup culture, or can a shift in mindset help entrepreneurs embrace failure as a stepping stone to success?

When Pascal Wiscour-Conter got invited to speak at an event in the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, and then at 'Fuckup Nights' (link below), he realised there was an issue about the fear of failure in Luxembourg. This is an issue more broadly across Europe and is one factor as to why Europe doesn’t seem to be as entrepreneurial as some other countries. 

https://fuckupnights.lu/en/our-speakers/

Is it possible to develop a true start-up spirit in Luxembourg or is it too difficult to pierce the current model of continuity and minimal risk taking? How does all of this fit the exponential age of technological change around us? These are some of the questions we consider. 

Attila Lengyel is an expert in organizational culture and change management, and spent a large part of his career at Amazon. Attila talks about how an individual and an organisation can learn to deal with risk; real versus perceived risk, and how failures can be celebrated.  

One-way and two-way doors are a thought experiment we explore, showing that many decisions are not necessarily permanent. The culture of a company is a tangible blueprint for behaviour and decision making. Getting this right is key to ensuring the company’s voice is disseminated through all employees, and that employees can fit the feel of a company. 

Attila currently leads innovation and business development at Edugamitec, a groundbreaking EdTech startup hoping to revolutionize corporate learning through game-based nano-learning.

Daniel Tesch is head of ULESS, Union Luxembourgeoise de l’Economie Sociale et Solidaire. He spent eight years living in Brazil working for Arbed steel group, now Arcelor-Mittal. A lawyer by training he now helps social impact entrepreneurship in Luxembourg. 

Veerle Dierick is the  Fundraising coordinator and corporate relations at Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner, the Childhood Cancer Foundation in Luxembourg. 

15 February is International Childhood Cancer Day, a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer. 

In Europe, every day 100 children are diagnosed with cancer. It’s a rare disease that kills 6000 children per year. In Luxembourg, 180 children and their families are helped by the foundation, with about 30 new children every year. You can find out much more information on their new website here. www.fondatioun.lu 

You can also raise money on the Lëtz Go Gold charity run which takes place on 27 September each year.  www.letzgogold.lu

"Killing and Starving children is not Jewish. Fighting antisemitism demands decoupling of Jews from Israel."

Since many people don't have time to read full articles anymore, I want to start by linking to two poignant interviews I've had the privilege of conducting over the last few years:

- Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, the first Palestinian doctor to work in an Israeli hospital: lost his wife to leukaemia aged just 43, leaving him with their 8 children. Just four months later,during the 2008-9 Gaza War, three of his daughters and one niece were killed. And yet Izzeldin has dedicated his life to using health as a vehicle for peace. 

https://play.rtl.lu/shows/en/in-conversation-with-lisa-burke/episodes/n/1612726

- Bassam Aramin, Palestinian, and Rami Elhanan, Israeli, are members of The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF), due to the most painful loss of their daughters at different times due to the intractable Israel and Palestine conflict. They have become 'brothers' and advocate constantly for solidarity and peace in their land.

https://play.rtl.lu/shows/en/in-conversation-with-lisa-burke/episodes/n/2171062

Last week saw the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. It also saw the return of Palestinians to the north of Gaza. This juxtaposition of events hits hard.

The 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz had 56 survivors of the camp in attendance; down from 200 survivors for the 75th anniversary. We are losing the voice of those who experienced violence, discrimination, hatred and genocide first hand in these camps of torture and death. Of course we must add it was not only Jews that suffered in these camps.

Meanwhile, anti-semitism is on the rise since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing war in Gaza and Lebanon. This sudden attack on 7 October was not out of nowhere of course. It follows in a line of attacks on both sides, and in the greater region, over decades, despite various ‘agreements’, ‘accords’, political handshakes… nothing has yet brought peace.

On my show this week I have four strong and learned voices on the region, the culture and the law:

- Dalia Hader, a Palestinian living in Luxembourg who is asking for petition signatures here so that the Government of Luxembourg discusses this topic in the chamber: “Luxembourg must sanction Israel for its policies in Palestine.”

https://www.petitions.lu/petition/3231

- Martine Kleinberg, President, Jewish Call for Peace a.s.b.l.

- Dr. Michel Erpelding, International lawyer specialising in this region

- Dr. Engy Ali, President of MSF Luxembourg

Dalia Hader, is a Palestinian from Jerusalem but grew up primarily in Amman, Jordan. Like so many Palestinians, families often move if they have a choice as it becomes untenable to ‘live’ and raise a family in Israel / Palestine. Current records show the state of Palestine to have about 5.5 million inhabitants. The Palestinian diaspora is numbered at about 7.4 million. About one third of Palestinians living in Palestine are under the age of 15; only about 3% live to be over 65. We discuss one definition of genocide with Dr. Michel Erpelding, which targets the killing of children to minimise population growth.

Access to care and medication

Dr. Engy Ali, President of Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF Luxembourg, is specialised in Critical Care medicine and public health, working for over 20 years in the medical and humanitarian field; 12 years with Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders. She has worked in Bangladesh, Kenya, Somalia, Nigeria, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Mali, Mauritania, Haiti, Liberia, DRC, Philippines, Pakistan, Gaza and Europe.  

The MSF team in Gaza have lost 9 members since 7 October 2023. This loss is deeply felt by the MSF family as they dedicate their lives to giving access to health to all, equally. ‘Access to care and medication’ is, according to Dr. Ali, the driving force of MSF.

Dr. Ali reminds us that MSF has been present in Gaza for years. She herself was working Gaza in 2020, trying to organise medical evacuation programmes for complex trauma cases (but then Covid 19 happened.)

“Our humanitarian action in Gaza is guided by our core humanitarian principles of neutrality and impartiality, but we do not stay silent about humanitarian crises as in Gaza. We publicly speak out and report attacks on healthcare facilities, shortages of medical supplies, and obstacles to access care, ensuring that humanitarian needs are recognized.”

The testimonials you hear in this interview are from from Nadia Abo Mallouh, MSF medical coordinator from Rafah, and Abu Abed, Deputy Medical Coordiantor.

Impunity reinforces antisemitism

Martine Kleinberg, President of Jewish Call for Peace (JCP) has worked unceasingly to increase the clamour of Jewish voices that do not want to be connected with the direction of Israel’s government and want to work with Palestinians for peace. This is a growing movement around the world with the Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Not in My Name refrain.

https://jewishcallforpeace.lu

Martine is herself trained in conflict resolution and prevention.  JCP is a founding Member of the European Jews for Palestine launched in October 2024, with more than 20 organisations in 14 European countries, a member of Global Jews for Palestine, and a Member of Luxembourg Collectives for Palestine.

On 1 February Martine organised a conference to discuss:

“Exploiting Memory: the Holocaust and the distortion of antisemitism”

In organising this event, Martine faced cultural decision makers in Luxembourg who did not want their venue associated with such open conversations. Neimënster said no; the Culture Bar said yes. Neimenster said this event did not “correspond to their values…the title leads to negative interpretations against associations and institutions partnered with Neimënster. As a public establishment we remain a neutral entity and cannot be associated with this type of event”

Martine is extremely clear in her own reckoning of what the Israeli government are doing to use Judaism as an instrument of war:

“I refuse the instrumentalization of my Jewish identity for colonialist supremacist purpose, that has nothing to do with Judaism. My commitment is the solidarity with the oppressed and deconstruction of antisemitic prejudices.”

Martine believes strongly that there is a “weaponization of the Holocaust memory and antisemitism by Israel, to gain impunity, which is destroying international law”.

“Fighting antisemitism demands decoupling of Jews from Israel.”

Martine Kleinberg is aghast on why almost no religious leaders, of all religions, cannot speak out with clarity that the violence against a trapped civilian population in Gaza is indefensible and wrong

Does International Law have any power anymore?

Michel Erpelding, is a legal scholar in the history of international law, with an additional degree in Middle Eastern studies, and works on international law particularly related to colonialism and individual rights.

We speak about the definitions of international lawyers and the International Criminal Court of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and apartheid.  

Israel was viewed by the UN, well before 7 October 2023, as an occupying power in Gaza, and as such remained bound by international law to meet the essential needs of the civilian population. Israel can control water going into Gaza. It can exert decisive control over Gaza via land, air and sea.

We explore the notion of ‘double standards’ in political discourse when it comes to annexation (for example, Putin annexing Crimea; Netanyahu annexing East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights and the West Bank).

Naturally the 7 October attacks by Hamas was the catalyst to this most recent war, but there is also the legal notion of ‘proportionality’ in war.

Dr. Erpeling and Dalia discuss why the Oslo Accords of 1995 did not work.

“Oslo led to a clearer apartheid reality in the West Bank and Jerusalem” says Dalia, and goes on to say how certain Palestinian segregation means one cannot drive on certain roads, cannot visit certain parts of Palestine without the ‘right’ passport, requires a certain number plate, will be held up for hours at check-points to be humiliated, and so the layers of discrimination continue.

This un-ending story of war sits in a region where, fundamentally, humanity has been abandoned. And this humanity at its core, will find not much difference between Israelis and Palestinians, just like the Irish and Northern Irish, just like the Ukrainians and Russians. When the Ukraine war started, how often did we hear the line, “But they are our brothers and sisters?”  Humanity is a source of life and support. Borders, walls, check-points, active discrimination and suppression are not the acts of humans who, with a religion or not, know what is right in their heart.

Let’s end with a recent poll in the French newspaper La Tribune Dimanche, which showed that when 986 people aged between 16 and 24 were questioned about the Holocaust, one in five had never heard of it (18%), and almost one in five had heard of it without knowing more (17%).

Let’s try to remember what has gone before. 

Let’s try to break the circles of hatred in history.

Get in touch 

Contact Lisa on LinkedIn or via her website.

Please subscribe, rate and review the podcast.

Watch on RTL Play.

Tune in to The Lisa Burke Show on Today Radio Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon, and Tuesdays at 11am.

Philanthropy and rare disease are the topics in this week’s show, after a global news review with Sasha Kehoe.

Philanthropy for Brain Research and Rare Disease

What would you do if you had a spare €10,000 or more to donate? Well, the University of Luxembourg has just opened up a new fund to tackle Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and Rare Diseases. You could become part of their ‘Champions Circle’ and get to know the researchers, the cutting edge development and help shape the future for so many people in the world with these conditions. Research is expensive and philanthropy can be targeted giving, where you get to make a difference during your lifetime. 

Naturally another way to give is to leave a legacy through your will. As an entirely separate aside, it is always a good idea to leave a written will. The act of writing one can crystallise what matters most to you once you’re gone, and therefore perhaps what matters most to you whilst you live. 

Philippe Lamesch created and leads the Fundraising Office at the University of Luxembourg. His own background is in biological sciences, firstly at Namur in Belgium, followed by research at the and then the Carnegie Institution for Science at Stanford University.

https://www.uni.lu/en/about/fundraising/how-to-donate/

Daniela Ragni, Director of the André Losch Foundation, talks about his legacy.  Given that he didn’t have his own children, he created the foundation with a mission is to support youth, education and social inclusion. They work in partnerships with people and organisations over a number of years to make real and lasting changes within our community. 

Daniela herself spent a couple of decades working for non-governmental organisations trying to raise money and now finds herself on the other side of the this equation, developing relationships with organisations and individuals who need financing for their ideas for the social good of the community, always with a focus on young people. 

https://www.loschfondation.lu

Rare Disease

Associate Professor Dr. Carole Linster’s scientific work has made her the leading researcher on rare childhood disease in Luxembourg. Her biomedical science studies started in UC Louvain in Brussels, followed by the prestigious de Duve Institute there, followed by UCLA in California. Here she discovered enzymes that plants depend on to produce vitamin C.

Carole and co-workers also discovered several new enzymes of human metabolism, involved in the breakdown of metabolic side products that become toxic when left to accumulate.

In collaboration with researchers from Australia, the US, and the UK, the Linster group identified a novel infantile rare neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by the deficiency of one of those metabolite repair enzymes (NAXD). 

Carole talks about the fundamental global research that is necessary in order to tackle rare disease, which is not really that rare by definition. It is extremely time consuming for talented scientists to write proposals for grants and other fund opportunities. For this reason again, the idea of university led funds, or partnerships with organisations such as André Losch which can extend over years, takes some pressure off the constant need to ‘ask’ for money.

Sip of Self-Care

Dr. Laura Riordan flew over from Lisbon to join our conversation. She is an Executive and Career Transitions Coach with a Ph.D. in psychology and over 20 years of coaching experience.

Through her work of creating the Sustainable Mom methodology, Laura has extended her knowledge to the world of Raregivers - caregivers within families of Rare Disease. From 2019, Laura has developed retreats for rare caregivers to find relief in a supportive community and bolster their self-care practices to sustain themselves and their families at home.

Laura talks about the need to look after one’s own well-being in order to support a child with a chronic condition. We talk about the diagnosis odyssey, on average 5-8 years with a rare disease. This limbo in itself is a source of immense pain and stress for a family, layering on top financial stressors when often one parent has to give up work to care for a child.

The Raregiver’s guide trains caregivers and medical professionals on the Raregiver’s methodology, a research-based stress relief methodology shared through peer-to-peer support groups and emotional witnessing workshops.

The Raregivers organization is singularly focused on providing necessary mental health and wellness services to raregivers - from sustainable psychosocial training and transformative retreats to a connective peer-to-peer multilingual network. Raregivers currently supports over 22,000 rare families across 33 countries. https://www.raregivers.global

Get in touch 

You can contact Lisa on her website or through LinkedIN.

Watch all her shows on RTL Play. Listen on Today Radio: Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon, and Tuesdays at 11am.

Please do subscribe to the podcast, rate and review.

Today's episode is all about tips from the renowned Vivamayr clinic on how to have a healthy gut, which means a healthy life; plus audits set in stone from the Accounts of the Acropolis.

This week we start with a news review with Sasha Kehoe, where naturally the focus is on Trump’s inauguration, and the direct flow of executives orders from that point on.  The conversation continues to Bettel’s comments on his time working with Trump; who is leaving X and Stargate.

In other news, we have the continuing, if fragile, Gaza ceasefire, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s response to a fatal knife attach in southern Germany, Oscar nominations, the return of wolves to Luxembourg and other Luxembourg news.

Vivamayr - the basics of gut health

Vivamayr is a renowned, world-class medical health resort in the south of Austria, surrounded by a beautiful lake and mountains. Its primary focus lies in a holistic approach to health, emphasizing proper nutrition, gut health, detoxification and healthy aging. The resort has a team of medical and holistic health experts who follow the decades old principles of F.X. Mayr plus more modern additions.

Dr. Werner Zancolo is the Head Physician at Vivamayr since 2021. He is a medical doctor specializing in gut health, holistic, and complementary medicine. 

“Our goal should be to help people maintain their health and support them in aging healthfully.”

 

In this interview, even thought the technology didn’t allow us to see him, he talks us through what we can all do in 2025 and beyond to help our gut heath, and therefore our overall health.

Dr. Zancolo talks about the need to eat a mostly plant based diet, with one third animal or other products. He says that about 30% of the population has ‘leaky gut syndrome’ which can be easily diagnosed with a stool sample. This can actually lead to depression due to lack of serotonin. The focus of food is on developing a two thirds alkaline diet, minimising caffeine and alcohol, but everything in moderation. 

Fasting is good to reboot our cells into a sense of autophagy and cleaning up the internal systems. If we were to skip one meal a day it should be dinner, and we shouldn’t eat raw food in the evenings, nor fruit. 

Naturally, exercise, minimising chronic stress, adding meditation, good sleep… all of these are necessary for a healthy long life. Perhaps we know this, it’s just good to be told again from a doctor. 

Accounts from the Acropolis

Damijan Fišer from the European Court of Auditors joined us once more to talk about a unique exhibit which has just opened at the European Court of Auditors. Courtesy of the Acropolis museum in Athens, the ECA now proudly hosts the accounts of the Acropolis from over 2000 years ago.

On 23 January, the ECA President Tony Murphy and Nikolaos Milionis, ECA Member from Greece, unveiled an exhibit which comprises unique copies of the financial accounts for the construction of the gold and ivory statue of Athena which stood at the centre of the Parthenon. These stone slabs (steles) contain the complete accounts of revenues and expenses of the construction. The unusually large sums of money recorded may have implied that the gold employed in the construction of the statue of Athena Parthenos could be used as a state reserve for emergencies. Art is also increasingly being used to improve working environments and engage with ‘ancestral intelligence’. 

Get in touch 

Contact Lisa on LinkedIN or other social media platforms. 

Tune in to The Lisa Burke Show on Today Radio Saturdays at 11am, Sundays at noon, and Tuesdays at 11am. Watch on RTL Play.

Welcome to 2025 from RTL Today here in Luxembourg! As the new year dawns with blue skies and crisp temperatures, we welcome listeners from around the world.

On today’s episode of The Lisa Burke Show, we’re taking a glimpse into the year ahead. What does 2025 hold for geopolitics, technology, culture, and beyond? Joining us is Sasha Kehoe, our seasoned daily news host, adept at finding the most interesting stories, and Sam Steen also jumps onto the show!

Geopolitical Shifts

The political landscape of 2025 promises dramatic shifts, with the inauguration of the 47th U.S. President, Donald Trump, in January. Domestically, his administration is an unknown quantity, but he is likely to pursue pardons for the January 6th rioters amongst other possible promises in his election campaign. Internationally, we anticipate he will alter U.S.-China relations, remove the US from some climate organisations, and Trump has already been a possible catalyst for the ceasefire in Gaza.

What will happen in 2025 for Ukraine and the Middle East? Notably, there’s cautious optimism about a time of rebuild and reconciliation after a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel, alongside predictions of a peace deal in Ukraine by May, aligning with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s World War II victory.

Europe, meanwhile, faces rising populist movements. Germany may see Friedrich Merz steering the nation to the right, while Austria’s Freedom Party forms a far-right government, the first since World War II. France continues to grapple with political gridlock, and tensions simmer in the Balkans, Moldova, and Nagorno-Karabakh. However, there are bright spots, such as Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro and Romania’s upcoming presidential election.

Technological Breakthroughs

2025 is officially the UN’s Year of Quantum Science and Technology, heralding advancements in AI, robotics, and space exploration. Companies are pouring over $1 trillion into data centers to harness AI’s potential, though adoption rates remain tentative. Tesla’s humanoid robots are expected to debut in factories, with predictions of increasingly autonomous machines capable of household chores like tidying and loading dishwashers.

Eastern Europe continues to lead in cybersecurity and dual-use technologies, while China drives a global clean tech boom with solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles. Luxembourg’s space sector stands out, with the University of Luxembourg having launched its first satellite, POQUITO, on January 14. Luxembourg also ranks third globally in space investments as a percentage of GDP, trailing only the U.S. and Russia.

Cultural Highlights and Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Song Contest heads to Basel, Switzerland, with semi-finals scheduled for May 13 and 15, and the Grand Finale on May 17.

Closer to home, Luxembourg is implementing significant social and economic changes. These include higher wages through indexation, increased energy allowances, and tax reforms to attract foreign talent and support single parents.

On the mobility front, tram services will extend to Findel Airport, with WiFi available on board. Educational policies also see changes, such as a ban on mobile phones in primary schools and a doubling of university tuition fees. These initiatives aim to strike a balance between modern convenience and societal well-being.

Environmental and Health Trends

Environmental challenges persist, with California facing wildfires, the Amazon experiencing drought, and Spain battling floods. Scientists warn 2024 was the hottest year on record, setting a worrying precedent for 2025. Yet, there’s hope in health innovations, such as expanded malaria vaccine rollouts and efforts to eliminate cervical cancer through HPV vaccination.

The Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year, “Brain Rot,” underscores the mental toll of extended screen time. Encouraging movement remains vital, as demographics shift in the U.S., where deaths now outpace births, affecting economic growth.

Looking Ahead

As we navigate this year of change and innovation, The Lisa Burke Show invites you to stay engaged, curious, and hopeful. Watch us on RTL Play, listen on Apple or Spotify, and write to Lisa on LinkedIn. Here’s to embracing the unpredictability of 2025 together!

The launch of Girls in SciTech in Luxembourg last week is a movement aimed at empowering girls to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths.

The Girls in SciTech campagin, coordinated by Professor Serge Haan, brought together high school students, university alumni, industry professionals, and political leaders, all united to tackle the gender imbalance in STEM fields. How can we encourage more young female minds to take up the ‘hard’ sciences rather than just the ‘soft’ sciences (life sciences, medicine, biological sciences etc.)? Indeed one can even question the words attributed to the sciences here. 

The State of Women in STEM: A Statistical Snapshot

Despite incremental progress, women remain underrepresented in STEM, particularly in senior roles. According to Eurostat, 41% of all scientists and engineers in the European Union were women in 2022. The figures are consistently lower for maths, physics, computer science and engineering, varying from country to country. 

Philippe Hiligsmann, Vice-Rector for Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Luxembourg, underscored the importance of the campaign: “This is more than an event; it is a movement to change things by motivating and inspiring girls to pursue a career in science.” 

A Powerful Group of Role Models

The event featured a panel of inspiring women from diverse STEM backgrounds, who shared their own personal journeys and ideas:

- Hania Tayara, Programme Leader at Native Scientists

- Marie-Alix Dalle, Environmental Engineer at ArcelorMittal

- Prof. Serge Haan, Full Professor in Biological Chemistry, University of Luxembourg

- Laurence Lampecco, Analyst Developer at POST Luxembourg

- Prof. Skerdilajda Zanaj, Full Professor in Economics, University of Luxembourg

- Marie-Louise Uwizeye, Chargée d’études at Administration de la gestion de l’eau

- Monika Zlopasa, Investment Fund Risk Manager at UBS Luxembourg

Stéphanie Obertin, Minister for Research and Higher Education in Luxembourg, captured the essence of the event’s message when she said, “It’s about transforming our society by empowering women in STEM fields. The unique perspectives and ideas they bring to the field enhance problem-solving and spark innovation.”

The Challenges: What’s Holding Girls Back?

The panelists identified several key barriers that contribute to the gender gap:

Stereotypes and Gender Roles: 

From an early age, girls are exposed to stereotypes that suggest STEM is not for them. Many girls are told, either overtly or subtly, that they are not as good at math or science as boys. These messages, often reinforced by parents, peers, and teachers, can impact their self-confidence and limit their aspirations. As Prof. Skerdilajda Zanaj pointed out, “It’s not that girls don’t like science, it’s that they are taught to believe it’s not for them.”

Lack of Role Models: 

The absence of female role models in STEM fields further discourages girls from pursuing these paths. Research shows that girls are more likely to enter STEM fields if they see women succeeding in them. “For every 10 Google queries asking, ‘Is my daughter gifted?’ there are 25 asking, ‘Is my son gifted?’” said Marie-Alix Dalle, an alumna of the University of Luxembourg and an Environmental Engineer at ArcelorMittal. The lack of female role models in leadership positions can make it harder for girls to imagine themselves succeeding in science.

Parental Biases: 

Parents often unconsciously reinforce gendered expectations. Research has shown that girls are less likely to be encouraged to pursue STEM subjects, particularly in math and technology. This parental influence can have long-term effects on girls' academic choices and self-perception.

Workplace and Family Balance: 

Women in STEM often face the additional challenge of balancing their careers with family life. Marie-Louise Uwizeye, an engineer and mother of three, shared her experience of working in engineering while raising children: “If you really want to do it, you can. I am a mother of three children, I have a PhD, and I am working full-time. Don’t excuse yourself—this is your right.” Despite the challenges, she emphasized that women can thrive in STEM, even as mothers.

Breaking the Barriers: Solutions and Strategies

To address these barriers, the panelists discussed various strategies that can help increase the number of girls in STEM, especially in leadership positions:

Increased Representation of Women in Senior Roles: 

One of the critical points raised during the discussion was the importance of seeing women in senior positions within STEM fields. Not only do these role models inspire the next generation, but they also demonstrate that leadership in STEM is achievable for women. “We need to increase the representation of women in science at senior levels to show young girls that it’s possible to rise to the top,” said Hania Tayara. Studies show that having female mentors or professors increases the likelihood that girls will continue to pursue STEM studies and careers.

Changing Course Content: 

Many panelists emphasized the importance of making STEM content more relevant to girls. As Marie-Alix Dalle put it, “Enough talk about cars!” In order to engage more girls, science education must reflect a broader range of interests and real-world applications. “Science should resonate with girls as well,” she added, advocating for curricula that connect STEM to real-world issues like climate change, healthcare, and technology.

Mentorship and Support Networks: 

Several initiatives are already in place in Luxembourg to support girls in STEM. For example, mentorship programs, such as those offered by Native Scientists and the University of Luxembourg, help guide girls through the uncertainties they may face when applying to university or entering STEM fields. Laurence Lampecco, an analyst developer at POST Luxembourg, shared her personal experience of mentorship and the crucial role it played in her journey: “Having someone who believes in you makes all the difference.”

Challenging Societal Norms: 

Finally, the discussion underscored the importance of challenging the societal norms that dictate what careers are “appropriate” for men and women. By showcasing the success stories of women in STEM, through media and other platforms, we can shift perceptions and inspire young girls to see these fields as viable career paths.

As Monika Zlopasa, a Risk Manager at UBS Luxembourg, pointed out, “We miss out on complementary skills and points of view when we don’t have women in STEM. It’s not just about representation—it’s about making work better, more innovative, and more inclusive.”

Moving Forward: A Collective Effort

The Girls in SciTech event marked an important milestone in the effort to close the gender gap in STEM. But as the panelists emphasized, real change requires a collective effort from all sectors of society. From parents and teachers to industry leaders and policymakers, everyone has a role to play in creating a more inclusive environment for girls in STEM.

Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg’s Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, stated, “When young girls see women excelling in STEM fields, it serves as an inspiration. It shows them that they too can achieve success in these areas.” By continuing to promote mentorship, support networks, and initiatives like Girls in SciTech, we can ensure that the next generation of STEM leaders includes a balanced representation of both women and men.

In the end, the journey towards gender equality in STEM is just beginning. With sustained commitment, collaboration, and advocacy, we can create a world where girls in science are not the exception—but the norm.

From the youth uprising of Bangladesh in summer of 2024 which overthrew the Awami-led government, a new nation is beginning to sprout. Watch and listen to the interview on RTL Today.

Bangladesh doesn't hit international headlines so often unless it's for cyclone reasons. It's been quiet and slightly hidden from global news discussion. Why was that?

Well last summer, the youth of Bangladesh ensured their desires for their country was heard.

During July and August 2024, the youth of Bangladesh rose up against the Awami League-led government of Bangladesh, with nearly a thousand young people killed.

Sheikh Hasina was the longest serving Prime minister, and is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh. Her regime was known to be authoritarian and she’s now in self-imposed exile since the uprising. 

In October 2024, a team of ten students and three teachers from various Luxembourg high schools, who had been corresponding with Friendship secondary schools in Bangladesh for over a year, went to meet the young people and learn about some of the challenges of Bangladesh. 

On my show this week, Aysha Siddiqua Tithi and Mir Mahbubur Rahman (Snigdho) talk about their experience, losses and the future they hope for. 

Mir Snigdho, 25, is the twin brother of Mir Mugdho, who was shot dea by police whilst trying to supply water to demonstrators. His twin brother Snigdho now heads up the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation, to help the victims of the violence of July-August 2024.

Mir Mahbubur Rahman (Snigdho), has a background in law and a passion for social impact and the “transformative power of collective action”.

Aysha Siddiqua Tithi, 22, is a 3rd year university student who was at the forefront of the July protests and accompanied Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate (2006) and current Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, to the United Nations General Assembly last September.  Tithi is Project Director at WOOW (Work for Orientation and Organizing the World), and currently a third-year Computer Science student at BRAC University. 

Snigdho encompasses the passion these young people have in turning the weight of history into something positive for Bangladesh:

“The Quota Movement of 2024 was a moment of sacrifice and resilience. The Movement is deeply personal to me because I lost my own (identical twin) brother during this struggle. His sacrifice has been a profound source of inspiration, driving me to work tirelessly toward building a better future for those who have faced similar losses. This tragedy has given me a strong sense of purpose, motivating me to ensure that every sacrifice is honoured and that no one is left behind in our collective fight for justice and equality.

“Witnessing the struggles of my family and  of those who fought for equality and justice has inspired me to dedicate myself to ensuring their voices are not forgotten. Through the foundation, I work to provide financial assistance, healthcare, and emotional support to the martyrs and injured, keeping alive the spirit of hope and solidarity that emerged from the movement. This experiences has profoundly shaped my vision for a stronger Bangladesh. I won't let my brother's death be in vain.

“I see Bangladesh 2.0 as a land of opportunity, innovation, and inclusion—a nation where the dreams of all citizens are supported and valued. With the right blend of education, leadership, and global collaboration, I believe we can overcome systemic challenges and create a brighter future. My goal is to be part of this transformation, using the skills and knowledge I acquire to contribute meaningfully to the country's development”

What a year 2024 has been. It's had it all. Highs and loves and lows, elections and entertainment.

With my colleagues Sasha Kehoe and Vanessa Phelan, we take a look at some of the biggest news stories of 2024. 

It was a year of elections, but also of countries coming undone through continuous wars or overthrowing of regimes (Syria and Bangladesh).

Paris hosted the Olympics and added breakdancing as one of its choices. 

We can't go without mentioning Taylor Swift and the Eras Tour. Then there was the mispronounced names including Kamala Harris, Chappell Roan, Zendaya, Barry Keoghan.

Bringing it back to Luxembourg, we had the Caritas embezzlement scandal, increased defence spending (along with much of Europe), and the idea of conscription was floated. Eurovision mania hit Luxembourg for the first time in 31 years and the new crop of talent is lining up for next year's show. 

What were your highlights or lowlights? Get in touch and let us know what stories touched you the most in 2024.