Episode 1: From 1990s Optimism to Authoritarian Capitalism

In the first episode of this two-part series on transformative politics, futures, and hope, we revisit the political optimism of the 1990s and ask what became of the idea that “another world is possible.” What kind of hope shaped global civil society at the time, and how grounded was it in real possibilities for transformation?

The episode brings together philosopher and political thinker Thomas Wallgren and Professor Emerita of Futures Research Sirkka Heinonen.

Thomas Wallgren’s work focuses on democracy, transformative politics, and the structural conditions shaping political possibility. He has been closely involved with the World Social Forum and has written extensively on its significance, limitations, and the evolving nature of global political movements.

Sirkka Heinonen is a leading scholar in futures research whose work explores foresight, anticipatory governance, and the role of imagination in shaping societal trajectories. Her research emphasises how engaging with multiple possible futures can itself be a democratic and transformative practice.

Together, they reflect on the emergence of the World Social Forum, the political openings of the post–Cold War period, and the subsequent shifts in global power structures. The discussion introduces the concept of authoritarian capitalism and explores how contemporary political and economic developments may be reshaping and constraining both transformative politics and our capacity to imagine alternative futures.

The episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of futures thinking, responsibility, and the possibility of hope in the second part of the series.

Suggested reading:

Paul Raskin, Journey to Earthland: The Great Transition to Planetary Civilization (Tellus Institute, 2016).

Heinonen, Sirkka & Viitamäki, Riku (2025). Society, Skills and Spaces – Curated Conversations on Futures of Work with Foresight Experts. FFRC eBooks 1/2025. Finland Futures Research Centre, University of Turku. ISBN 978-952-249-623-2 (pdf), 978-952-249-624-9 (print). ISSN 1797-1322.

Host: Astrid Aminoff

Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland, working to bring people and organisations together to develop ideas aimed at building a better world.

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In the second episode of our two-part series on human rights, we turn to the growing pressures facing human rights today and consider what their future might look like in an era marked by geopolitical tensions, technological transformation, and political contestation. What are the most significant challenges confronting human rights today, and how can societies respond when rights come into conflict?

The podcast brings together Professor Reetta Toivanen, Professor of Sustainability Science at the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Postdoctoral Researcher Tuija Kasa from the Faculty of Education at the University of Helsinki.

Together, they examine the increasing political pressures on human rights frameworks, the role of human rights in guiding political decision-making at national, European, and global levels, and the difficult questions that arise when fundamental rights collide. The discussion also explores how rapidly developing technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are reshaping both the risks and possibilities for protecting human dignity and fundamental freedoms.

The episode concludes by looking ahead: what kind of future for human rights is realistically emerging, and what more hopeful visions might guide efforts to strengthen them in the decades to come?

Host: Max Tallberg

Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland, with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together to develop ideas aimed at building a better world.

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In the first episode of our two-part series on human rights, we explore the foundations of human rights, their historical development, and their current state in a rapidly changing world. What do human rights mean today, and how effectively do existing systems protect those most vulnerable to discrimination, exclusion, and injustice?

The podcast brings together Professor Reetta Toivanen, Professor of Sustainability Science at the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), and Postdoctoral Researcher Tuija Kasa from the Faculty of Education at the University of Helsinki, whose work engages deeply with human rights from legal, educational, and societal perspectives.

Together, they reflect on the origins of human rights, assess global developments and setbacks, and examine how well current frameworks respond to the realities faced by migrants, minorities, and other marginalized groups. The discussion addresses the uneven protection of human rights across contexts, the gaps between legal commitments and lived realities, and the pressures human rights face amid growing inequality and democratic backsliding. The episode also considers whether existing human rights frameworks are sufficient, or whether broader approaches are needed to address structural injustices.

Host: Max Tallberg

Global Visions is a non profit association based in Helsinki, Finland, with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together to develop ideas aimed at building a better world.

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As 2025 draws to a close, the world faces an increasingly interconnected set of global challenges — climate change, wars, geopolitical instability, economic inequality, and uncertainty about the future. How can societies respond to this complex landscape? What visions, values, and forms of cooperation might guide humanity toward a more just and sustainable world? This State of the World 2025 panel brings together leading experts from futures studies, economics, and political science to reflect on the defining issues of our time and to share their perspectives on the paths ahead. The conversation explores themes such as the European Union’s role in global governance, the future of peace and international relations, and the kinds of economic models that could best support human wellbeing in the coming decades.

Panelists

Sirkka Heinonen Professor Emerita of Futures Studies, University of Turku A pioneering figure in Finnish and European futures research, Heinonen’s work focuses on sustainable development, societal transformation, and the futures of peace. As a long-time member of the Club of Rome and the Millennium Project, she has contributed to global networks advancing strategic foresight and imaginative approaches to building sustainable and peaceful futures.

Johanna Vuorelma Political Theorist and Researcher, University of Helsinki Vuorelma specializes in democracy, political narratives, and the role of the European Union in global politics. Her research examines how legitimacy and power are constructed through discourse, and how ideas and narratives shape Europe’s capacity for global cooperation. She is a frequent commentator on EU affairs and democratic governance.

Sixten Korkman Economist One of Finland’s most respected economists, Korkman has served in leadership roles at the Finnish Ministry of Finance, the EU’s Economic and Financial Affairs Council, the Research Institute of the Finnish Economy (ETLA), and the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA). His work focuses on economic policy, the Nordic welfare model, global interdependence, and the pursuit of economic justice and social wellbeing.

Risto Marjomaa Docent and University Lecturer, University of Helsinki A historian specializing in global history, conflicts, and colonial legacies, Marjomaa’s work spans Africa and the Middle East, with recent research on Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, modern racism, and the long-term impacts of historical power structures on today’s conflicts. Marjomaa gave the Keynote lecture of the event. To watch the lecture, visit our channel.

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Take the Visionary Test! https://visionary.globalvisions.tech Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together and developing ideas aimed at building a better world.

As 2025 approaches its end, the world continues to grapple with overlapping global crises — climate change, wars, geopolitical instability, economic inequality, and growing uncertainty about the future. How can we respond to these interconnected challenges? What kinds of values, visions, and global cooperation might guide humanity toward a more just and sustainable future? We were honoured to host Docent and University Lecturer Risto Marjomaa (University of Helsinki) for this year’s State of the World lecture, where he outlined the key global developments, risks, and transformations defining 2025.

Risto Marjomaa is a historian specializing in global history, conflicts, colonial legacies, and the roots of contemporary crises in Africa and the Middle East. His recent work includes analyses of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, modern racism, and the long-term impacts of historical power structures on current global tensions. This lecture was part of the State of the World 2025 event organized by Global Visions ry, followed by a panel discussion featuring leading voices from futures studies, economics, and political science. Moderated by Max Tallberg and Astrid Aminoff. To watch the panel discussion, visit our channel.

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Take the Visionary Test! https://visionary.globalvisions.tech

Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together and developing ideas aimed at building a better world.

What would it take for the world to adopt a global carbon tax, and could such a policy become a meaningful tool for responding to the climate crisis? In this episode, we speak with Professor Jamie Morgan from Leeds Beckett University and Professor Heikki Patomäki from the University of Helsinki, two scholars who have collaborated extensively on the idea of a global greenhouse gas tax.

Jamie Morgan is Professor of Economics at Leeds Beckett University, whose work spans political economy, the philosophy of economics, global governance, critical realism, and climate policy. Heikki Patomäki is Professor of World Politics and Global Political Economy at the University of Helsinki. His research covers a broad range of themes including economic theory, global political economy, futures studies, and global justice.

Together we explore the central questions behind implementing a global carbon tax. How should revenues be allocated, and which approaches might be both fair and politically realistic? Could existing policy models offer a foundation for global implementation? What kinds of wider social or economic benefits might follow beyond emissions reductions?

We also discuss strategies for building public and political support, and consider whether a global carbon tax could ever gain broad international acceptance. Looking forward, Jamie and Heikki reflect on how technological, political, and economic developments might reshape the future of global climate governance.

The conversation continues themes from our recent panel, Global Carbon Tax: Challenges, Opportunities and Future Visions, offering a deeper look at the possibilities and complexities of creating a coordinated global response to climate change.

Global Visions is a non profit association based in Helsinki, Finland, with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together to develop ideas aimed at building a better world.

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As the climate crisis deepens, the need for ambitious and fair global action has never been more urgent. One proposal gaining attention is a global carbon tax — a system that would put a price on carbon emissions worldwide, aiming both to cut greenhouse gases and to fund climate solutions. But could such a policy work in practice, and what would it take to implement it on a global scale? On Wednesday 17 September 2025, Global Visions hosted a multidisciplinary panel at Musiikkitalo Terassilämpiö, Helsinki, to discuss the feasibility, challenges, and future visions of a global carbon tax. The conversation explored how it differs from other carbon pricing mechanisms, the governance structures and international cooperation it would require, and whether it could also serve as a tool for climate justice by supporting adaptation in Global South countries.

Guests:

Professor Janne Hukkinen is a Professor of Environmental Policy at the University of Helsinki, specializing in the socio-cognitive aspects of sustainability and environmental risk governance. He is the author of several books, with his latest being Sustainability Networks: Cognitive Tools for Expert Collaboration in Social-Ecological Systems. He serves on the editorial boards of Ecological Economics, the International Journal of Learning and Change, and Global Challenges. His awards include the Finnish State Award for Public Information and the Science Book of the Year Award.

Professor Heikki Patomäki is a Professor of World Politics and Global Political Economy at the University of Helsinki. His research interests include philosophy, methodology of social sciences, economic theory, global political economy, big history, futures studies, and global justice and democracy. His latest books are World Statehood: The Future of World Politics (Springer 2023) and Globalizations: The Shape of Things to Come (Routledge 2025).

Juha Turkki is Development Director for Systemic Climate Solutions at the Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC), Europe’s largest non-profit climate business network. He has over 20 years of experience in climate policy, working to develop market mechanisms and governance models that enable cost-efficient investments in climate solutions and carbon removals. At CLC, Turkki focuses on advancing carbon removal strategies, international climate cooperation, and policies that accelerate the transition to climate neutrality.

Dr. Ville Seppälä has a PhD in economics. He recently produced a global carbon price and dividend simulator with support from the Kone Foundation, enabling users to explore and compare climate–carbon scenarios and income effects in real time www.globalcarbonprice.com. He currently works at the National Audit Office of Finland auditing the knowledge base of climate policy, and previously created visual climate analytics for the European Parliamentary Research Service.

Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together and developing ideas aimed at building a better world.

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If democracy is under threat today, what might it look like tomorrow? In this episode we continue our discussion with Anniina leiviskä and Tuija Kasa to discuss the current state of Democracy. Anniina Leiviskä, Associate Professor at the University of Oulu, studies the role of education in addressing polarization and strengthening democratic dialogue. Tuija Kasa, a researcher at the University of Helsinki, has just completed her doctoral dissertation Unveiling Injustices, where she argues that the lack of Human Rights Education poses a real threat to democracy. Leiviskä and Kasa have also co-authored the book: Democratic Education in the age of Polarisation (Gaudeamus 2025).

In this episode we turn our attention towards the future. We ask: What are the most urgent threats facing democratic systems? Could alternative models like deliberative democracy, citizens’ councils, or epistocracy strengthen participation — or do they risk deepening inequality? How can civic education, fact-checking, or informed voting initiatives renew democratic trust? We also consider how emerging technologies like AI could shape decision-making, citizenship, and global governance.

Finally, Anniina and Tuija share their utopian ideas: What would an ideal democracy look like in the years to come? Which principles and structures could help us build a more just, inclusive, and effective democratic system for the future?

Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together and developing ideas aimed at building a better world.

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A conversation on Democracy, Human Rights and Education

In this episode we sat down with Anniina leiviskä and Tuija Kasa to discuss the current state of Democracy. Anniina Leiviskä, Associate Professor at the University of Oulu, studies the role of education in addressing polarization and strengthening democratic dialogue. Tuija Kasa, a researcher at the University of Helsinki, has just completed her doctoral dissertation Unveiling Injustices, where she argues that the lack of Human Rights Education poses a real threat to democracy. Leiviskä and Kasa have also co-authored the book: Democratic Education in the age of Polarisation (Gaudeamus 2025).

Together, we explore pressing questions: What are the core values we should safeguard in democratic societies? Can democracy exist without strong protections for human rights? How can education respond to polarization, populism, and the exclusion of marginalized voices? And should we look beyond Western models for inspiration to build a more inclusive democracy?

Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together and developing ideas aimed at building a better world.

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Climate Ethics, Technology and Future Visions

In this two-part episode, we sit down with two moral philosophers—Professor Antti Kauppinen and Dr. Simo Kyllönen from the University of Helsinki—to explore the ethical questions behind some of the most urgent issues facing the world today.

Professor Antti Kauppinen is a Professor of Practical Philosophy at the University of Helsinki. His research focuses on moral psychology, well-being, and how we make ethical decisions. Dr. Simo Kyllönen is a political philosopher at the University of Helsinki, whose work explores global justice, environmental ethics, and the moral dimensions of systemic change.

In part two, we turn our attention to the climate crisis, emerging technologies, and the ethics of future thinking. As the world grapples with accelerating environmental breakdown and the growing influence of artificial intelligence, we ask: What does collective responsibility mean in the face of global risks? Can technology itself be a moral actor—or is it only ever a tool? And what is the role of capitalism, rationality, and imagination when thinking about systems-level change?

We close the conversation by asking our guests to share their own morally compelling visions for the future—what kind of world should we strive for, and how might we begin to get there?

Global Visions is a non-profit association based in Helsinki, Finland with the purpose of bringing people and organisations together and developing ideas aimed at building a better world.

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Instagram: @globalvisionsry Bluesky: globalvisions.bsky.social TikTok: @globalvisionsry LinkedIn: Global Visions See our panels on YouTube: GlobalVisionsry More information: www.globalvisions.fi/en

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