In this episode, we interview Osita Ifezue, founder of our partner Entegrate. We discuss multiple issues affecting immigrants in Finland, such as the problem of racism and discrimination, barriers for skilled workers and entrepreneurs, and the question of belonging. Many immigrants struggle with feeling welcome, valued, and that they belong in Finnish society. One important question we discussed was how to support immigrant entrepreneurs, tapping into the bicultural value they bring and seeing it as a resource for potentially gaining access to new markets. We also address the challenge Finland faces as skilled immigrant workers choose to leave to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Equally important is the question of what Finns can do to promote equality and inclusivity on an individual level. How can we stand up to discrimination? How can we go outside our own comfort zones to support the struggles of our immigrant community? We discuss the essential themes of belonging and trust—and how we can foster a sense of belonging and build trust between the immigrant community and institutions like schools.

We conclude by discussing the untapped potential of Finland’s immigrant community and our visions of a better future.

About Our Guest: Osita Ifezue is a freelance writer, podcaster, and storytelling strategist who has dedicated his work to fostering inclusive spaces and addressing the challenges faced by immigrants in Finland.

"Entegrate is committed to fostering a more inclusive Finland by supporting societal integration and promoting mutual understanding across communities. Through our events, we encourage professional and social inclusivity, helping immigrants, locals, and organizations connect, network, and build lasting synergies."

For more information about Entegrate, visit www.entegrate.org and follow @entegratefinland on Instagram.

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In September we organised a panel discussion: Artificial Intelligence, Democracy and Human Rights at Musiikkitalo terassilämpiö in Helsinki. The full Panel is now available on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/e3y-gWenMore information about the panel: This panel discussion, organized by Global Visions ry, will explore the multifaceted impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on contemporary global issues, with a particular focus on human rights, democracy, and the unique challenges and opportunities AI presents to developing nations in the Global South. Our panelists, representing diverse fields from technology to social sciences, will specifically address the societal impacts of AI. Additionally, the panel will consider future visions of a world in the age of Artificial Intelligence. We have allocated some time for questions at the end of the discussion. Guests:·

Professor Teivo Teivainen: A Professor of World Politics at the University of Helsinki. His current research focuses on transnational social movements, global political economy, and theories of democracy. Teivainen has received many awards for his work, including the Amartya Sen Prize at Yale University (2015).·

Dr. Matti Nelimarkka (PhD): A University Lecturer at the University of Helsinki. Nelimarkka holds both a Master's Degree in Social Sciences and a PhD in Computer Sciences. Additionally, Nelimarkka is a member of the Digital Content Communities research group (Department of Computer Science, Aalto University) and the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT).· Dr. Bonn Juego (PhD):

Dr. Bonn Juego (PhD): Senior Lecturer in International Development Studies at the University of Jyväskylä (JYU), and the current Chair of the Finnish Society for Development Research. He is the recipient of the 2024 JYU Good Teacher Award, and the lead researcher of the recent policy study of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies on "Algorithms by and for the Workers: Towards a Fair, Democratic, and Humane Digitalisation of the Workplace". His academic background includes advanced studies in technology governance at TalTech in Estonia and in heterodox development economics at Cambridge University.·

Professor Reetta Toivonen: A Professor of Sustainability Sciences at the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). Toivonen is also the Vice-Director of the Centre of Excellence in Law, Identity and the European Narratives and is currently the Project Leader of its Subproject 3: Migration and the Narratives of Europe as an “Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice” funded by the Academy of Finland (2018-2025).

For this episode, we are pleased to welcome representatives of the Debt for Climate movement, joining us from Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Finland.

• Dianey Mugalizi is the Africa Regional Coordinator for Debt for Climate.
• Absolom Jim is a Debt for Climate country lead from Zimbabwe.
• Elsa Kivinen joins us from Debt for Climate Finland.

In this episode, we discuss the Debt for Climate movement, the ongoing debt crises in the Global South, and how these crises directly affect the daily lives of communities, alongside the worsening impact of the climate crisis. We also explore potential solutions and visions of a better future if debt cancellation were to take place.

Debt for Climate is a global grassroots movement initiated and led by the Global South. The movement’s primary demand is the unconditional cancellation of external debts Global South countries’ external debts to colonially powerful creditors such IMF and World Bank. The goal is to redirect the resources going towards debt repayments towards urgent climate action instead. Many countries in the Global South are heavily burdened by debt, limiting their capacity to invest in sustainable development and address climate change, despite being some of the most affected by environmental damage.

The movement argues that Global North, historically responsible for the majority of carbon emissions, must take responsibility by canceling these debts. This would allow affected nations to focus on climate adaptation and the development of green infrastructure. Debt cancellation would enable resources to be redirected toward renewable energy, climate resilience projects, and community-driven initiatives to safeguard ecosystems from the growing threats of climate change.

At its core, the Debt for Climate movement ties climate justice to economic justice, advocating that debt cancellation acts as a form of reparations to address historical inequalities in global climate responsibility. The movement has rapidly gained support from political economists, researchers, and activists across both the Global North and Global South.

For more information on Debt for Climate visit www.debtforclimate.org.

Instagram: @debtforclimate @debtforclimate_kenya, @debtforclimate.zw @debtforclimatefi

Elsa Kivinen’s book recommendations:

• The Imperial Mode of Living: Everyday Life and the Ecological Crisis of Capitalism by Ulrich Brand
• Democracy in the Political Present by Isabel Lorey

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