Thinking Through with LJ

Matthew Friedman is a leading, internationally renowned global expert on modern slavery and human trafficking. An award-winning public speaker, author, filmmaker, and philanthropist, Matthew regularly advises heads of governments and intelligence agencies.

In this conversation, Leopoldino Jeronimo and Pedro Vilanculo discuss the current political situation in Mozambique, focusing on Vilanculo's book 'Dreams for My Country'. They explore the historical context of Mozambique's political landscape, the challenges faced by the country, and the implications of recent elections and government actions. Vilanculo critiques the ruling party, Frelimo, describing it as a criminal association and expressing concerns about the government's response to public dissent. The conversation highlights the frustrations of the Mozambican people and the potential for future unrest. The conversation delves into the political instability in Mozambique, focusing on the recent elections and the ensuing protests. The speakers discuss human rights violations, the role of the Constitutional Council, and the legitimacy crisis faced by the current government. They highlight the flaws in the political system, including the lack of true democracy within political parties, and the potential for escalating violence as tensions rise between opposing factions. The discussion emphasizes the resilience of the Mozambican people and their demand for justice and representation.

Amazon influencer link for the book: Dreams for My Country

Takeaways

Pedro Vilanculo emphasizes the importance of hope for Mozambique's future.

The book 'Dreams for My Country' outlines a vision for a better Mozambique.

Political instability in Mozambique has escalated after recent elections.

Vilanculo critiques the Frelimo party for operating like a criminal organization.

The government is accused of engaging in drug trafficking and human rights abuses.

Public frustration is growing due to the government's failure to address key issues.

The release of prisoners is seen as a tactic to instill fear among the populace.

There is a potential for violent government responses to public protests.

The conversation reflects a deep concern for the future of democracy in Mozambique.

Vilanculo calls for a new political direction for the country. Human rights violations are escalating in Mozambique.

International embassies are beginning to support protestors.

The Constitutional Council's decisions are seen as final and irreversible.

Law has been manipulated to serve the interests of the powerful.

The political system in Mozambique lacks true democracy.

Political parties do not allow for genuine candidate selection.

The current government is facing a legitimacy crisis.

Protests are a response to perceived electoral fraud.

The Mozambican people are determined to continue their struggle for justice.

Neighboring countries must reconsider their support for the current regime.

Ubuntulist

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In this conversation, Henry Yampolsky, J.D., through his book (Dis-Solving Conflict from Within: an Inner Path for Conflict Transformation), shares his journey from being a refugee to becoming an advocate for conflict resolution and social justice. He discusses the nature of conflict, emphasizing that it is not merely an external issue but a reflection of our internal state. Yampolsky introduces the concept of 'dissolving conflict from within' and outlines principles for conflict transformation, including the importance of mindfulness, creating space for response, and understanding the triggers of conflict. Through personal stories and insights, he highlights the need for inner work to effect change in the world.

Henry Yampolsky is a mediator, educator, TEDx speaker, and lawyer who serves as the Assistant Director for Education, Outreach, and Conflict Resolution at Virginia Tech’s Office for Equity and Accessibility.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

·       Conflict is not separate from us.

·       All change begins from within us.

·       Peace is ultimately space.

Chapters

00:00Henry Yampolsky's Background and Motivation

05:14Understanding Conflict as a Reflection of Our Internal State

06:35The Mistaken View of Conflict as a Competition of Narratives

08:00The Three Elements of Conflict: Story, Attachment, and Emotion

09:28Dissolving Conflict from Within: Going Beyond Solving

11:59Internal and External Conflicts: All Change Begins from Within

15:17Triggers of Conflict and the Importance of Tuning Inward

15:47The Story of Henry Yampolsky's Mother and the Injustice She Faced

24:08The Accumulation of Ideas and the Confusion Between 'Ours' and 'Us'

31:05The Four Principles of Conflict Transformation: Tuning Inward, Observation without Evaluation, Expansion, and Exploration

37:54The Importance of Creating Space and Responding with Strength and Compassion

Ubuntulist

The conversation explores the urgent issue of school shootings and how to enhance school safety measures. The guest, Daniel Dluzneski, a retired lieutenant with the US Secret Service and former coordinator of emergency management, discusses his book 'The First Five Minutes: School Shooting Survival Guide for Administrators and Teachers' and the need for concise and practical information on school safety. The conversation covers topics such as the role of technology in school safety, the importance of human-centered training, the key steps teachers and administrators should take during a shooting, and the need for a multi-layered approach to school safety. The conversation covers the topics of lockdowns, run-hide-fight training, the Alice training program, conflict resolution in schools, and parent engagement in safety discussions.

Keywords: school shootings, school safety, technology, human-centered training, lockdowns, armed school resource officers, multi-layered approach, lockdowns, run-hide-fight, Alice training, conflict resolution, parent engagement, school safety

Takeaways

More about the guest

Daniel Dluzneski

Retired Lieutenant U.S. Secret Service

LinkedIn

The Book on Amazon: The First Five Minutes: School Shooting Survival Guide for Administrators and Teachers

Facebook

In this episode, host Leo interviews Jeffrey Charles Hardy, a global health planning futurist, about the concept of the second human evolution. Hardy argues that humanity is currently in a state of suspended evolution and explores the key indicators that led him to this conclusion. He also discusses the concept of caring for peace, which goes beyond traditional peacekeeping efforts, and emphasizes the importance of the planning process in facilitating the second human evolution. Hardy suggests that individuals and organizations can contribute to this vision by engaging in dialogue, adopting sustainable practices, and promoting care for peace. He also highlights the role of technology in supporting this process.

Keywords: second human evolution, suspended evolution, caring for peace, planning process, global mandate, individuals, organizations, technology

Takeaways

More about the Guest

Jeffrey Charles Hardy, President and Founder, Care for Peace 501(c)(3)

Valentina Lana, a Lecturer at the Sciences Po law school in Paris, discusses the 2022 Corruption Perception Index, highlighting that global peace has deteriorated for the past decade and a half. Valentina is also a German Marshall Fund's 2023 Marshall Memorial Fellow.

Latest Valentina's publication:

Lana, V., & Sapin, M. (2023, March 3). The Impact of the Sapin II Act on the Extraterritorial Application of American law and on cooperation between France and the United States in the fight against international corruption | International Enforcement Law Reporter. https://www.ielr.com/content/impact-sapin-ii-act-extraterritorial-application-american-law-and-cooperation-between-france

Reference:

Transparency International. (2023, January 31). 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index. Transparency.Org. https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022

Photo Cover: By photocreo

The episode focuses on Sci-Fi and Practical Orientalism, Chapter 7 of Greta's book, and the Concluding Thoughts.

Reference

Uehling, G. L. (2023). Everyday War: The Conflict over Donbas, Ukraine. Cornell University Press.

Subscribe and watch the video version of this episode and others, here.

Cover Photo: By halfpoint

Greta Lynn Uehling is the Author of Everyday War, a book resulting from her long-term research between 2015 and 2017 in Donbas, Ukraine. Greta is also a teaching Professor at the University of Michigan. Greta’s expertise includes international migration, human smuggling and trafficking, and refugee resettlement.

This episode introduces a sequence where Greta presents her research findings while exploring the political conflict implications in the noncombatant relationships between Ukraine and Russian identities, all sharing internally displaced person spaces. Each one had to adopt survival strategies, some of which caused social and family fractures. But most importantly, ensuring they remain alive among the casualties of that war.

Book Store: Amazon

Episode Cover: TDyuvbanova

Reference: Uehling, G. L. (2023). Everyday War: The Conflict over Donbas, Ukraine. Cornell University Press.

Honoring International Women's Day 2023, we will dedicate the month of March 2023 to shed light on women’s issues across the black continent and dive into some of the structures that continue to create and maintain the existing gender gaps, focusing on forms of gender-based violence as a common continental challenge.

Mokshda Pertaub, a Lawyer, trained as a barrister from Mauritius with 25 years of experience in legal practice, judiciary, and legal advisory, as well as teaching and training, particularly in the areas of gender laws, Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), children rights and environmental law. She is an international gender expert and a Gender Responsive Policing consultant with UNWomen for Senegal National Police, as well as a gender and law consultant with various international agencies like IOM, Equality Now, Agence France de Development, etc. She is also a judicial trainer in environmental law, cyber crimes and digital evidence, judicial ethics and integrity, and gender and violence.

Ubuntulist

Producer: Fatma Awadalla

Host: Leopoldino Jeronimo

Photo Cover: Image-Source

The Africa Forum at Brandeis University started a series of debates on what happens on the continent. Therefore, in this episode, you’ll hear Burkina Faso’s discussion with Fatim Wedraogo and the updates of Sudan with Yasser Adam. In between the participants of the debate session, have also delivered their elaborate questions for discussions.

After learning about the Political Instability in Sudan, and following up the active protests, the curse goes own in the continent. Armed groups killed two thousand people and displaced about one million and four hundred who had to flee for their lives. Ebenezer Obadare blogged at the Council on Foreign Relations on January 25. An informative situation report of the last Coup d’état about the military taking command of the government that was not delivering its promise of development. Instead, it led the country to chaos through increased violence against the population, political instability, and economic collapse.