Women's Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex.

But equality is not just an issue in the U.S., we have seen the fight for equality take many shapes and forms on every continent. Globally, women and girls represent half of the world’s population and its potential. Gender equality is a basic human right and is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.

In today’s conversation we will celebrate pioneering women in the field who are continuing to push for equality and equity for women and girls everywhere.

International human rights law recognizes a right to adequate housing. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights upholds “the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for themselves and their families, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.

Although this concept is ingrained in the highest form of law, around the World we are seeing communities struggling to achieve this human right and in some cases, difficulty maintaining their cultures within the communities that they call home. In urban areas, as rents increase individuals and families are finding it difficult to stay in homes they have been in for their entire life. Meanwhile, shifting trends in rural settings are also driving migration and displacements in many parts of the world.

In today’s conversation we will discuss the current state of housing access and land rights and how our panelists are creating spaces for communities to thrive and survive.

Since 1990, 2 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water sources and 1.8 billion people have gained access to improved sanitation, according to the CDC. However, worldwide, 780 million people still do not have access to improved water sources and an estimated 2.5 billion people — half of the developing world — lack access to adequate sanitation.

There’s nothing more essential to life on earth than water. Yet, from Cape Town to Flint, Michigan, and from rural, sub-Saharan Africa to Asia’s megacities, there’s a global water crisis. People are struggling to access the quantity and quality of water they need for drinking, cooking, bathing, handwashing, and growing their food.

In today’s conversation we will discuss water systems and how people and organizations are creating a space for equity in water access for all.

Disaster can strike at any time and in any place, building slowly, or occurring suddenly without warning and can significantly impact entire communities. The immediate effects include loss of life and damage to property and infrastructure. In some cases it leaves survivors traumatized by the experience, uncertain of the future and less able to provide for their own welfare. Many are left without adequate shelter, food, water and other necessities to sustain life.

This past year, we as a global community, have experienced one of the most life changing public health crises in our lifetime. Through the aftermath of the pandemic we have seen amazing resilience from individuals and communities. Nonprofits, state and local agencies, and the private sector have come together to address the negative impacts of not only this disaster but natural disasters as well.

In today’s conversation we will discuss how organizations are responding to various disasters and how we might rethink the future of emergency response.

The world of work is changing. A recent study by Mckinsey & Company found that COVID-19 accelerated a shift to remote work and virtual meetings and created a space for telemedicine and restaurant delivery. Not to mention many of the business meetings that took place before will more than likely make their way to a virtual platform like zoom, negatively impacting the travel industry.

Artificial intelligence, automation, and robotics have made this shift as significant as the mechanization in prior generations of agriculture and manufacturing. While some jobs will be lost, and many others created, almost all will change.

In today’s conversation we will discuss the future of work, what to expect and ways to navigate the changes.

When transporting someone who is injured or critically ill, emergency medical technicians and paramedics know the faster they get to the nearest hospital, the better the patient's outcome. A recent study published in US News and produced by Boston University School of Medicine indicated that the race of the patient may determine the destination.

The study found that black and Hispanic patients in urban areas were more likely than white patients to be taken to a safety-net hospital – one that's obligated to treat low-income or uninsured patients – even if they were picked up in the same ZIP code as a white patient, or if another facility that's familiar with the patient might provide better care.

As more and more evidence has emerged, researchers have begun to wonder about the extent to which disparities in trauma care exist in different nations.While age, gender, and postcode are commonly recorded, there’s no uniform practice on recording ethnicity data in many nations, meaning the information often isn’t available for researchers looking to conduct comparisons across large numbers of patients.

In today’s conversation we will discuss inequities in emergency medicine and how amazing pioneers are breaking through barriers to make positive changes to the healthcare system.

People around the world from all backgrounds, including Indigenous women, women of color, and trans people have always fought for Reproductive Justice, but the term was invented in 1994. Reproductive justice, distinct from the reproductive rights movements of the 1970s, emerged as a movement because women with low incomes, women of color, women with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people felt marginalized in the reproductive rights movement.

The term is now used on a global scale and has even become a part of several United Nations conventions.

In today’s conversation we will discuss not only the history of the reproductive justice movement but also the future of it.

This week’s Tuesday Talk is hosted in partnership with CAREs Lavender League affinity group. For those interested in learning more please contact Kim Beers who leads the group-her information will be dropped into the chat.

The global campaign to secure protections for the LGBTQ+ community has made significant progress in recent decades, especially in the realm of marriage equality. Yet in many countries, LGBTQ+ individuals still face repression, imprisonment, and even the threat of death. Given the severity of such abuses, laws and safeguards protecting this community from legal discrimination and political, social, and economic marginalization have become a priority for activists and a growing number of governments.

In today’s conversation we will celebrate the activism and legacy of the LGBTQ+ community and highlight pioneers in the field who are moving the needle and fighting for equity for all.

World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. According to the UNHCR over 80% of the world’s refugees and nearly all the world’s internally displaced people are hosted in low- and middle-income countries.The COVID-19 Pandemic has reminded us again of how truly connected we are as humans and have underscored   that we, as one global community, can only be safe if everyone is included and protected.

In today’s conversation we will celebrate World Refugee Day and highlight pioneers in the field who are creating pathways and resources for refugee communities.

The global population is predicted to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, and to feed everyone, it’s estimated that global food production will need to increase by up to 70% in the next 30 years. There are many challenges to overcome before regarding food production, including rising temperatures and more frequent droughts caused by global warming. These obstacles are making traditional farming methods increasingly inefficient and unpredictable. Traditional farming has also been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, creating disruptions in supply chains. As farmers grapple with these various changes, new innovative technologies are being implemented.

In today’s conversation we will discuss how we might reimagine farming to be more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and easier to access for all.