The 2020 Network

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Open to Debate: Can we build resilience in a crisis? Jul 28, 2020

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The year 2020 will be, for many, the most difficult year of their life. And yet, there will still be difficult years ahead. We are living through a pandemic. We are facing structural shifts in the global order. We are witnessing the decline of democracy, or at least its stagnation. We are grappling with climate change.

The struggles we face are shaped by factors we control, and factors we cannot control. Managing and solving big problems requires structural changes and action from those in positions of authority. However, we may not be without personal psychological tools to help us manage our lives day-to-day. One such implement is resilience -- a capacity to resist and to recover that can be developed, sharpened, and put to good use. The question is: Can we build resilience in a crisis?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Komal Minhas, interviewer, entrepreneur, and resilience educator. She also hosts a podcast, which you can find on her website at komal.com.

Open to Debate: Can history be erased? Jul 14, 2020

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In the United States, the United Kingdom, and around the world, protestors are defacing and toppling statues of figures whose legacy of deeds include oppression, violence, and death. While these monuments purport to celebrate these individuals for other reasons, the mere presence of such tributes speaks to a particular construction and understanding of history.

In Canada, John A. Macdonald has been the focus of those who point out that his role in Indigenous genocide renders him unfit for monumental veneration. Those who come to the first prime minister’s defence argue we shouldn’t “erase” history. But whose history would that be? And, moreover, as we ask in this episode: Can history be erased?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Jim Daschuk, historian, assistant professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies at the University of Regina, and author of Clearing the Plains: Disease, Politics of Starvation, and the Loss of Aboriginal Life.

Insights from Gerry Butts - Part 2, COVID Politics Jul 09, 2020

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For this final 2-part episode of the 2020 Network’s special COVID-19 series, host Jodi Butts speaks with Gerald Butts, current consultant with the Eurasia Group, former Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former CEO of the World Wildlife Fund.

In part 2 of this episode, Gerry shares his unique perspective about some of the most significant public policy impacts of this pandemic, and considers Canada’s road to recovery.

Insights from Gerry Butts - Part 1, Climate Change and Coronavirus Jul 09, 2020

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In part 1 of this episode, they discuss climate change in the context of a pandemic, what the new economy might look like post-pandemic, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Open to Debate: Do we need the United Nations Security Council? Jun 30, 2020

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In June, Canada lost its bid for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council. The loss came after four years of campaigning for the spot and is reminiscent of Stephen Harper’s 2010 failure. Back then, we lost to Germany and Portugal. This time, it was to Ireland and Norway. Each time, we have been left asking: Why?

Previously, going back to 1946, Canada had won each of its bids for a UNSC seat. What is it about Canada’s contemporary foreign policy that led to the two losses? And beyond that do we need the United Nations Security Council?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Caroline Dunton, a doctoral student in political studies at the University of Ottawa who studies campaigns for seats on the United Nations Security Council and a researcher with the Centre for International Policy Studies.

Thinking During a Pandemic Jun 24, 2020

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The COVID19 pandemic is moving quickly, as is the news and information around it. That’s why our team on the 2020 Network is focused on giving you some balanced perspective on the story as it develops.

On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Dan Gardner about how we cope with the uncertainty and unpredictability of this pandemic, and what we are all working towards. Dan Gardner is a New York Times best-selling author of books about psychology and decision-making, and a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs.

Open to Debate: Whose pandemic is this? Jun 19, 2020

Show notes

Since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, observers have been talking about the “egalitarian” nature of the virus. ‘Covid-19 doesn’t discriminate’ has been a common refrain. But while the virus itself may have common effects across populations, the pandemic and its consequences are far from equally shared.

As with many public health challenges, the effects and costs of the pandemic are distributed unequally, with marginalized individuals and groups often asked to do the most while facing a higher likelihood of becoming ill.

It may comfort us to say we’re all in this together. But that isn’t quite true, leaving us to ask: Whose pandemic is this?

On this bonus episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Arjumand Siddiqi, Canada Research Chair in Population Health Equity and Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto.

Innovating Vaccine Development Jun 17, 2020

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On this episode, host Jodi Butts speaks with Jaykumar Menon, international human rights lawyer and founder of the Open Source Pharma Foundation about whether now is the time to experiment with developing a new model for vaccine discovery.

Open to Debate: Is this time different? Jun 16, 2020

Show notes

Around the world, Black Lives Matter and their allies - are demanding justice -- and structural change -- in response to years upon years of racist violence, marginalization, and repression. In many instances, activists are being met with further state violence at the hands of police and resistance from elected representatives and officials.

Despite state intransigence, one of the core demands gaining traction right now is the movement to ‘defund the police’. But what does that mean? And, moreover, could it happen? Are we on the brink of lasting, foundational change?

Is this time different?

On this episode of Open to Debate, David Moscrop talks with Fabio Rojas, professor of sociology at Indiana University Bloomington.

COVID19: Race in Healthcare Jun 09, 2020

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On this episode of the 2020 Network, host Jodi Butts speaks with Nelson Saddler, second year medical student at the University of Toronto, and member of the Black Medical Students’ Association at UofT, about race in healthcare during a pandemic.

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