A wave of populism and authoritarianism is spreading over the world and undermines the capacity of nations and peoples around the world to face their collective action challenges, cooperate peacefully and effectively, and tackle the threats of social dislocation, environmental degradation, technological disruption.
To reverse this dangerous trend toward catastrophic mismanagement and ever-mounting crises and conflicts, it is urgent to pursue four tasks: 1) form visions of alternative futures based on peace, justice, democracy and environmental care, in order to design a moral compass and guide a strategic perspective; 2) engage in understanding and listening to the constituencies attracted by populism, in order to address the roots of the ongoing drift toward authoritarianism; 3) give a voice to those who are marginalized and harmed by the socio-economic and environmental crisis; 4) identify the coalitions of actors who can rise to the challenge and contribute, at various scales from the local to the global, to steering the world in the direction of social progress.
Universities and research institutions have a special responsibility to pursue these tasks and become the key catalysts of a new movement. Currently under pressure, and even, in some countries, threatened with closures, they must raise their voice and participate in public debates and collective action.
This webinar series will take the form of conversations between prominent thought leaders and actors, with the ambition to contribute to the three tasks listed above. These conversations will combine 1) analyses of policy and reform options, new development models and systemic plans for economies, societies and the planet, 2) deep dives into the perceptions, representations and imaginaries of populations around the world, and 3) political and strategic analyses of the actors and forces driving the evolution of social and economic structures, institutions and policies. A number of sessions will be focused on regional issues, especially addressing the Greater South.
This initiative emerges from a partnership between the Union of Latin-American and Caribbean Universities (UDUALC), the International Panel on Social Progress (IPSP), and the Instituto de Investigaciones Sociales (UNAM). This partnership is now including CIPPEC, BRAC University, the Brazilian Academy of Science, the Inter-American Network of Academies of Science, and the Global Solutions Initiative.
Sessions will be in English or Spanish, with automatic translation in captions through the video system. The monthly webinar sessions will be accessible online, recorded and disseminated through internet platforms and the media channels of the organizing partners (including UDUALC TV).